Volvo Introduces Adaptive Loading 6x2 Suspension

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Heavy Duty Trucking / March 26, 2015

Volvo Trucks introduced the Adaptive Loading 6x2 liftable forward axle at the Mid-America Trucking Show, in Louisville, Ky. The axle automatically adjusts to load weight changes and offers 4x2 operation in certain conditions.

Adaptive loading is designed for bulk haul or general freight operations where a truck goes out loaded and returns empty or for diminishing load applications. The axle can provide better fuel efficiency, improved traction, and reduced maintenance costs.

A 6x2 setup can reduce weight by up to 300 pounds compared with a 6x4, and it has several benefits including increased payload capacity and improved fuel economy. The liftable forward axle combined with Volvo’s electronically controlled suspension transfers weight among the two axles. Adaptive Loading can adjust the ECS based on pre-programmed weight thresholds to automatically lift the axle in empty or light-load situations, creating a 4x2 configuration. The 4x2 configuration has the effect of reducing rolling resistance.

Volvo Trucks is also offering powertrain packages with the feature to further improve efficiency. Both the XE Adaptive Gearing and XE economy packages add a downspeed powertrain with Adaptive Loading.

“For many operations that run empty or lightly loaded much of the time, Adaptive Loading is an innovative way to change the truck’s configuration on the fly for maximum efficiency,” said Goran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America.

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