Tweet

Nov 1, 2012 12:00 PM

Meritor Inc displayed the latest version of its 18X single-reduction axle at the IAA Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show recently.

Available since spring 2011, the 18X targets the linehaul market with gross combination weight (GCW) up to 65 tons, permitting it to be used for a variety of applications that formerly required a hub-reduction axle set.

The 18X is available in a variety of ratios to cover a range of applications, including a new 2.47 ratio that is the fastest in the European market. These new optimized and faster ratios provide Euro 6-compliant engines the lower rpms necessary to increase overall fuel economy.

“The benefits of replacing previous hub reduction axles with the 18X are dramatic,” said Steven Gudgel, managing director, truck axles, Europe, Meritor. “The 18X improves fuel economy of more than 3% and accommodates higher horsepower and higher torque engines. Those two factors make the 18X the ideal choice for our European and Brazilian OE partners seeking a simple, more optimized solution.”

The 18X is laser-welded, which means the drive ring and differential case are extremely stiff. This allows higher torque capacity and also ensures the gears mesh better, resulting in a 30% increase in durability, which was proven in real-world and dynamometer testing. In the future, the 18X is expected to be available with Meritor's LogixDrive system that actively “thinks” by using system performance logic control.

Visit www.meritor.com for more information.