Bendix unveils air disc brake engineered specifically for trailers

Offering increased payload capacity, improved fuel efficiency, and shortened maintenance time, the new Bendix ADB22X-LT – the first Bendix air disc brake engineered specifically for trailers – is now available to the North American commercial vehicle market. Bendix unveiled the ADB22X-LT in conjunction with Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, the first builder to offer the new brake.

The ADB22X-LT offers a robust, optimal braking solution capable of meeting a wide range of trailer needs, according to Bendix. It advances the design of the Bendix ADB22X. Like the ADB22X model for tractors and trailers, the ADB22X-LT is produced by Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB).

“In the decade since Bendix introduced the first air disc brake to the North American commercial vehicle market, we’ve had many customers equip their trailers with ADBs; their positive feedback and effective on-road experience played a big part in developing the ADB22X-LT,” said Keith McComsey, director, marketing and customer solutions, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. “We put Bendix’s wide-ranging braking expertise to work to help meet the challenges presented in trailer applications, and the end result is an air disc brake that offers the advantages of lighter weight and more convenient servicing – while still performing at the high levels demanded in today’s trucking environment.”

Just for Trailers

The Bendix ADB22X-LT – with a 23,000-pound brake rating – weighs in at 40 pounds per tandem axle lighter than its companion Bendix ADB22X air disc brake, making it the lightest air disc brake available in North America. Lighter wheel-ends deliver increased payload capacity and value for trailers – such as refrigerated units – particularly sensitive to brake weight. Lighter weight wheel-ends can also help a fleet significantly improve its overall fuel efficiency.

“Though the ADB22X-LT has been specifically designed for trailer use, it’s built on the same proven, successful platform as the ADB22X brake,” McComsey said. “In terms of uptime, that means the two brakes share replacement wear items, which helps to streamline maintenance and training plus reduce inventory requirements. In addition, the same skill sets fleet technicians use for installing and maintaining the ADB22X are equally applicable to the ADB22X-LT, making it a great candidate for installation by trailer builders. That’s a real cost-saver when compared to axles with preinstalled brakes.”

The ADB22X-LT brake features a new pad with 8 percent more wearable volume and up to a 40 percent improvement in wear rate. The new pad meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021 Copper-Free Brake Initiative requirements. In addition to the new pad, the new adjustment mechanism also supports longer service life by improving pad life and further reducing the risk of brake drag. Air disc brakes like the ADB22X-LT offer quicker pad replacement than foundation drum brakes, combined with longer brake lining life, car-like feel and straight, stable stops. Since air disc brake pad friction is not riveted like drum brake friction, rust jacking is not an issue. A virtual absence of brake fade or degradation of stopping power increases reliability, and the brake’s internal self-adjustment mechanism can help lower the risk of brakes being found out of adjustment during inspection, which can affect Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scoring.

The ADB22X-LT offers the same 5-year warranty as the ADB22X air disc brake.

“Our ongoing dialogue with fleets reinforces the growing interest in air disc brakes as more operators understand their impact as a strong contributor to help drive lower total cost of ownership,” Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake President Eddie Wilkinson said. “That’s true of trailers as well, where increasing numbers of carriers are choosing this superior technology. We’re proud to bring the industry a second high-performing air disc brake, with unique advantages for trailers. And we’re honored that Utility – which shares our commitment to safety, performance, and value – is the first to make it available.”

Headquartered in City of Industry, California, Utility is the industry’s largest manufacturer of refrigerated trailers, as well as the oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer in the United States.

“We have a long relationship with Bendix, built on the common goal of improving the safety of commercial vehicles for our customers, their drivers, and everyone who shares the roads,” said Stephen Bennett, vice president at Utility Trailer Manufacturing. “The stopping power and uptime advantages of air disc brakes have helped us deliver on that promise, and now, the Bendix ADB22X-LT brake enriches the technology’s benefits in a package custom-made for trailer usage.”

One Million and Counting

Since introducing the Bendix ADB22X air disc brake in 2005, BSFB has produced nearly 1.5 million units. This milestone illustrates the technology’s popularity and value for fleets of all sizes and vocations due to field-proven longevity and durability. The ADB22X air disc brake has achieved data book position at the six major truck manufacturers, including Navistar, International, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), Mack, and Volvo.

North American fleets currently equipping trailers with Bendix air disc brakes include Boyle Transportation, Kroger, Maverick Transportation, and Prime Inc.

Industry demand for air disc brakes has helped drive a 52 percent increase in overall market share since 2013, with approximately 13 percent of North American Class 6-8 air-braked wheel-ends now equipped with ADBs. The Bendix ADB22X holds more than 90 percent of that share.

BSFB is on pace to manufacture more than 300,000 air disc brakes this year at its wheel-end production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and continues to invest in resources to advance, manufacture, and support air disc braking systems. Bendix air disc brakes are 100 percent North American manufactured and assembled.

Bendix brand foundation drum brake and disc brake products are part of Bendix’s complete lineup of wheel-end solutions – including automatic slack adjusters, spring brakes, friction, and remanufactured brake shoes – that delivers on safety, reliability, and stopping power, plus other areas critical to fleets’ success. By improving vehicle performance and efficiency, and backing its technologies with unparalleled post-sales support, BSFB helps fleets and drivers strengthen return on investment in commercial vehicle safety systems that help improve roadway safety across North America.