SAF-Holland unveils new lift axle, retrofit for lighted fifth wheel

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Jason Cannon, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ)  /  September 27, 2017

SAF-Holland introduced its new large-capacity 20K Neway LSZ Auxiliary Steerable Lift Axle Suspension at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta Wednesday.

With a package size of 18.3-inches, the LSZ is up to 8 inches shorter than comparable lift axles, allowing some customers to spec shorter wheelbase trucks for improved maneuverability.

“We learned installers were running out of wheelbase,” Jason Heath, product manager for Neway Truck, Bus & RV Suspensions. “[The new LSZ] is about two-thirds the size of the closest competitor.”

Heath says air tanks for the suspension are mounted inside the suspension itself, creating even more frame rail space.

The unit’s SuperChamber doubles the lift speed of traditional air springs and keeps the axle from bouncing banging on the chassis.

“This improves the comfort and allows the driver to do what they are supposed to do: drive the truck,” Heath says.

The angled design of the LSZ air springs improves tracking, lateral stability, tire life, and improves. The LSZ is the only line of lift axles to use premium rolling lobe style air springs, improving ride quality.

“It also allows us to use a smaller axle tube to improve ground clearance,” Heath adds.

The LSZ has a proprietary kingpin design that improves maintenance, needing no drilling, shimming, reaming and eliminates the use of dial indicators. If knuckle components ever wear out, they can easily be replaced by removing a single bolt.

Optional features include disc brakes, a fully plumbed setup, in-cab and outside air controls and prep for fender brackets. The new axle will be available later this year.

Also Wednesday, the company introduced a retrofit kit for its new automatic fifth wheel lighting system.

Designed for Holland FW35 Series Fifth Wheels, the Electronic Lock Indicator (ELI-te) is an electronic system that senses kingpin’s location within the locks, improving coupling and reducing the likelihood of dropped trailers by displaying a white light for a proper connection and blinking red for improper connection. It can be retrofitted to a fifth wheel in under two hours.

The new retrofit is available through SAF-Holland Original Parts distributors and dealers. And, the plug-and-play technology makes it easy to install. It’s also available as a replacement top plate or as a complete fifth wheel assembly to replace other brands of fifth wheel.

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SAF-Holland Displays Suspension System, Retrofit Kit

Transport Topics  /  September 28, 2017

ATLANTA — International Tier 1 supplier SAF-Holland introduced a new lift-axle suspension system for heavy-duty trucks and a retrofit kit for its fifth-wheel coupling system.

SAF executives also made a presentation for donating almost $74,080 to the Wyakin Foundation of Boise, Idaho, which helps prepare U.S. veterans for civilian careers.

The company’s U.S. operations are based in Muskegon, Mich., and management made the announcements Sept. 27 here at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show. The parent company has headquarters in Luxembourg and its three major North American brands are SAF, Holland and Neway.

The new product is the large-capacity Neway LSZ auxiliary, steerable, lift-axle suspension system for vocational trucks that often haul heavy loads.

The system has an 18.3-inch package size as part of a design that is up to eight inches shorter than comparable lift axles. The company said this allows LSZ to fit where other lift axles cannot, thereby providing extra frame rail space for other uses.

“If the LSZ is spec’d on a new truck, it may reduce the truck’s overall wheelbase to provide extra maneuverability,” said Jason Heath, a Neway product manager.

Lift axles help heavy-haul trucks comply with the bridge formula for weight distribution. When a truck is fully loaded, more weight-bearing wheels are lowered to the pavement. When the truck is empty, the wheels are lifted to improve fuel mileage.

Heath said the LSZ lifts quickly and reduces bouncing. Dump trucks, refuse haulers, concrete mixers and pumpers, logging trucks and cranes are among the potential customers, he said.

The retrofit kit is for Holland’s electronic lock indicator, ELI-te, to be added to FW35 series fifth wheels. ELI-te is designed to make sure a trailer’s king pin is securely fastened to the tractor’s fifth wheel.

Tom Bronz, Holland’s director of aftermarket sales, said the retrofit kit takes about 45 to 90 minutes per tractor to install. The job entails modifications to the existing fifth wheel’s top plate.

“The lights make it easy for drivers to positively confirm that they have coupled correctly, and warn them if they have not. It’s a new generation of safety,” Bronz said.

Regarding the charitable donation, Carl Mesker, vice president for SAF-Holland aftermarket, said, “The Wyakin Foundation is an outstanding organization where a large percentage of every dollar counts toward helping veterans transition into our industry. We need more great people in the heavy duty industry and the Wyakin Foundation can be a resource for every supplier in this industry. We are excited about the success of our promotion, and appreciate the outstanding participation from our HDA Truck Pride members.”

SAF-Holland CEO Detlef Borghardt was also at the presentation. He said the corporation’s major customers are trailer makers, providing 60% of revenue; truck makers, 15%; and aftermarket, 25% of sales. Global 2016 sales for the company were the equivalent of $1.15 billion.

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SAF-Holland Offers 20K Lift Axle Suspension System

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /  September 28, 2017

ATLANTA — SAF-Holland has introduced its large-capacity 20K Neway LSZ Auxiliary Steerable Lift Axle Suspension System, designed to be more compact with increased lift speed and improved ride performance. The company announced the LSZ along with other products at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta.

With an 18.3-inch package size, the LSZ’s design is up to eight inches shorter than comparable lift axles, according to SAF-Holland, allowing it to fit into tighter spaces and providing extra frame rail space for additional equipment. The LSZ on a new truck can reduce the vehicle’s overall wheelbase as well, providing more maneuverability to get in and out of tight spots.

The SuperChamber lift device provides double the lift speed of traditional air springs, according to SAF-Holland, protecting tire life and improving efficiency. SAF-Holland also says that it is more durable then comparable lifts and its strong lift force keeps the axle from bouncing and banging on the chassis, offering more comfort for drivers. The SuperChamber also provides increased protection from road hazards and easier access for servicing.

The angled design of the LSZ air springs improves tracking, stability, tire life and ground clearance. The LSZ also uses rolling lobe style air springs for a softer ride.

The LSZ has a proprietary kingpin design to improve ease of maintenance. No drilling, shimming, reaming, or the use of dial indicators is necessary. If knuckle components wear out, they can be replaced by removing a single bolt.

Retrofit Kit for Holland Eli-te Fifth Wheel Coupling Assistant

SAF-Holland also released a new Retrofit Kit for its automatic fifth wheel lighting system called Electronic Lock Indicator (Eli-te). The Holland Eli-te is designed to help drivers quickly confirm the proper coupling of their fifth wheel.

Designed for Holland FW35 Series Fifth Wheels, the Eli-te features a long-life, application specific electronic control module that is mounted directly to the fifth wheel top plate. It features electrical output capability to support connection with remote indicators.

With the Retrofit Kit, fleets can add Eli-te to an FW35 Series Fifth Wheel. The kit is available through SAF-Holland’s original parts aftermarket distributors and dealers. In addition to the Retrofit kit, it’s also available as a replacement top plate or as a complete fifth wheel assembly to replace non-Holland fifth wheels.

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SAF-Holland rolls out two new products

Fleet Owner  /  September 28, 2017

Component supplier offers new Neway steerable lift axle model and ELI-te electronic lock indicator retrofit kit for fifth wheels.

SAF-Holland unveiled two new offerings at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) show this week; a new large-capacity 20,000-lbs. Neway LSZ auxiliary steerable lift axle suspension system and a new retrofit kit for its automatic fifth wheel lighting system, dubbed the Electronic Lock Indicator or “ELI-te,” introduced nearly two years ago.

The new LSZ lift axle offers a more compact size, double the lift speed, improved ride performance, plus easier installation and service, SAF-Holland said.

With an 18.3-in. package size, the LSZ’s design is up to 8i-in. shorter than comparable lift axles, allowing it to fit where others cannot, while providing extra frame rail space for additional equipment – potentially allowing for a reduction in a truck’s overall wheelbase, which would help provide extra maneuverability to get in and out of tight spots.

The LSZ also uses rolling lobe style air springs to provide for a softer ride as well as a proprietary kingpin design that improves maintenance, for if “knuckle components” wear out, they can easily be replaced by removing a single bolt, the company said.

The new retrofit kit for SAF-Holland’s ELI-te automatic fifth wheel lighting system, designed for Holland FW35 Series fifth wheels, features “plug-and-play” technology makes it easier to install.

In addition to the Retrofit Kit, it also available as a replacement top plate or as a complete fifth wheel assembly to replace non-Holland branded fifth wheels.

For a non-drilled top plate, the kit can be ordered with an optional Drilling Tool Kit, the company said, while for converter dolly applications, the electrical connection is designed to be compatible with ABS status signal.

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