Link Mfg, which makes specialty-engineered suspensions, recently delivered the first set of its new Triton Tri-Drive Air Suspensions.
The industry’s first “ultra-high-capacity” tri-drive air suspensions are engineered to be used in multi-axle configurations for heavy-haul and off-highway applications, Link said. Designed for traditional production-line installation, Triton’s 105K carrying capacity gives OEMs a path to broadening their product offerings by increasing the load-bearing capabilities of existing vehicle platforms.
Triton Tri-Drive Air Suspensions are engineered for application flexibility and can be combined to provide a variety of vehicle carrying capacities, Link said, including 35K single-drive, 70K dual-drive and 105K tri-drive configurations. Regardless of disposition, Triton Air Suspensions are designed to integrate with most major heavy-haul axle makes and models.
“Using our new Triton Tri-Drive Air Suspensions, OEMs will now have higher-capacity equipment to offer, giving them access to off-highway mining, quarry and logging markets they may not currently serve,” said Bill Ott, vice president of engineering for Link Manufacturing. “Our line of Air Link Suspensions have been 100% off-highway-rated for 25 years, giving us decades of practical engineering experience in that market space.
“The Triton Air Suspension is the byproduct of that experience.”
Ott said the Triton’s heavy-duty mounting system was born of the company’s off-highway experience. He claimed that through voice-of-the-customer feedback, many of the problems associated with other tri-drives have been engineered out of the Triton, making its installation fast and simple.
The Triton mounting system features extra-wide weight-bearing brackets that provide yaw stability, delivering predictable and well-balanced handling, the company said. Ride quality also is enhanced by Triton’s high-mounted air springs and under-slung spring saddles, which allow +/-4 inches of articulation, minimizing roll.
“Link’s experience in designing rugged military suspensions has also contributed to the development of the Triton Tri-Drive Air Suspension,” said Neil Mardell, who manages defense programs and heavy vocational products for Link. “Triton’s ability to articulate, providing maximum traction over the most punishing terrain, is partly the result of its highly advanced, military-grade beam design.”
Triton also is equipped with longitudinal and lateral control rods that ensure proper axle tracking and alignment. Trailing beams are interconnected by a torsion bar, further improving ride stability. Unique dual-height control valves help the suspension maintain optimum ride height independent of load levels, and all units are fitted with heavy-duty shock absorbers.
Triton Tri-Drive Air Suspensions are engineered to maximize durability, while minimizing maintenance requirements, Link said. Polyurethane bushings help provide longer service life and eliminate lubrication requirements. Polyurethane also is more resilient than natural rubber bushings and resistant to petroleum distillates and other common contaminants.
All Triton suspensions are treated with Link’s Link-KOAT migratory self-healing metal treatment. Link-KOAT provides excellent corrosion resistance and rust protection, the company claimed, even when surfaces are exposed to excessive abrasion, harsh chemicals and other severe-duty environmental factors.
“For the end user, this suspension will improve the laden and unladen ride quality for the driver and the lifespan of the vehicle it serves,” Mardell said. “With Triton, users will enjoy the load-bearing capacity and roll stability of traditional steel spring suspensions, without the bone-jarring ride.”
Added Ott: “Drivers will also be able to traverse uneven off-highway topography much more swiftly, which means more loads hauled in each work cycle.”
