MUSKEGON, Mich. — SAF-Holland has announced a pair of changes to its product line-up: the standardization of its Black Armour protection and the release of a self-steering axle suspension series.

The company’s Black Armour corrosion and rust prevention treatment will now be offered as a standard feature on SAF CBX air suspension axle systems, Holland Ultralite mechanical suspensions, and Holland landing gear.

Officials say Black Armour is an “environmentally sustainable” protective metal treatment, and has been proven in extensive lab testing to be superior to ordinary paints and coatings in the protection of metal against anti-icing agents, salts and chemicals. The company also says Black Armour provides protection at a significantly lower weight and cost than hot dipped galvanize-like coatings.

Black Armour is a waterborne, zinc free coating with 72% fewer solvents than traditional coatings. It also emits fewer VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and has a smaller carbon footprint than competitive protective treatments and paints.

SAF-Holland is currently showcasing a comparison of Black Armour’s corrosion-resistant capabilities versus ordinary paints and more expensive hot dipped galvanized options at the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Ky.

New self-steering suspension
SAF-Holland has also announced the availability of integrated suspension/axle systems with self-steering capability. The new self-steering suspension/axle system will feature SAF-Holland’s latest lightweight Fusion Beam Technology available in two different steer angle models. The new, optimized self-steer axle will provide a wheel cut of 20 degrees or 25-to-30 degrees, depending on model. Advanced SAF INTEGRAL Disc Brake technology is standard on the initial offering. Drum brake configurations and other options are planned to meet future market needs, the company announced.

The SAF CBX Self-Steer axle suspension system is designed to turn easier, greatly reducing tire wear, while improving fuel economy by reducing drag and tire scrubbing – which can also lead to frame damage, torsional stress and wear. The integration of SAF-Holland’s Fusion Beam Technology in the self-steer axle suspension system is intended to reduce beam weight without compromising beam strength or integrity, the company says, through the fusion of a cast beam and a fabricated tail section.

“The lighter-weight beam provides an opportunity for fleets to increase payload and improve profitability,” the company said in a release.

Various capacities are available in the series which include the SAF Self-Steer CBX23, SAF Self-Steer CBX25 and SAF Self-Steer CBX25/30. While the CBX23 and CBX25 models deliver capacities of 23,000 lbs and 25,000 lbs, respectively, the CBX25/30 offers an additional 30,000 lbs of load carrying capacity at creep speed (5 mph or less) and 25,000 lbs of capacity for on highway operation. The SAF Self-Steer CBX25/30 delivers its additional load capacity through the addition of a larger air spring. The application is designed to allow easy upgrades at the both the OEM and the fleet level, and to reduce inventory demands while increasing manufacturing flexibility.