International Truck and Engine now offers Hendrickson’s AIRTEK integrated front air suspension and HTB 400LT lightweight rear air suspension on its 9200i and 9400i trucks.

AIRTEK, an integrated front axle and air suspension system, helps improve steer-tire life and residual value, and reduces weight by up to 100 lb when compared to a standard front axle and suspension, Hendrickson says. It also provides a premium ride while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. The axle-section and leaf-spring geometry are said to produce improvements of up to 30% in ride and 64% in roll stability.

The axle/suspension pairing is also claimed to help reduce downtime due to maintenance. Its premium-rubber suspension bushings eliminate lubrication requirements, while the two-piece knuckle steering design simplifies serviceability.

Out back, Hendrickson’s new HTB 400LT weighs up to 250 lb less than typical 40,000-lb capacity suspensions, the maker says. The patented, non-torque-reactive design aims to help deliver smooth operation even with the most powerful of today’s engines. By controlling suspension windup and frame rise, HTB helps minimize wear and tear on U-joints, pinion bearings and other driveline components.

“HTB’s parallelogram geometry eliminates the frame rise that is characteristic of trailing-arm suspensions,” says Michael Brannigan, Hendrickson’s engineering manager for new vocational products.

“Driveline angles are maintained throughout axle travel, thereby minimizing suspension induced driveline vibration. Reduction in torsional vibration contributes to the longevity of driveline components like the transmission, differential and U-joints; reduces noise and vibration, and provides a better ride.

Unlike other air suspensions that carry the vertical load on a combination of steel springs and air springs, HTB rides on a full cushion of air. By carrying 100% of the vertical load on specially designed air springs, the HTB suspension is said to deliver up to a 34% ride improvement. The HTB 400LT’s 120,000-lb GCW capability makes it suitable in many Canadian operations.

Contact Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems at 630-910-2800 or see your International dealer.