Link unveils 50K off-highway air-ride trailer suspension

Link Mfg., Ltd. recently released its new TR50-HDT heavy-duty off-highway air-ride suspension. Three of the 50K suspensions will be mounted in a tri-axle configuration on a 100-ton-capacity Smithco mining side tipper trailer.

With the introduction of its new TR50-HDT heavy-duty off-highway air-ride suspension, Link says trailer manufacturers have a more effective and efficient way to equip their heavy-haul trailers for severe-duty environments. The company says the TR50-HDT, in its tri-axle configuration, gives trailer OEMs the ability to achieve the higher load capacities they seek, while maintaining the superior ride characteristics of an air-ride suspension, without the added weight and scrubbing issues associated with a quad.

“The TR50-HDT was engineered specifically for off-highway and mining trailer applications and was designed to reduce axle and trailer stress, overall weight and maintenance costs,” said Greg Hulstein, director of engineering for Link Mfg. “The high-capacity air-ride suspension offers maximum performance, even in the most punishing environments.”

The TR50-HDT is designed for a 17-in. ride height with plus-or-minus 4 in. of travel. The suspension is also available in other ride heights upon request. The TR50-HDT’s maximum axle spread is 60 in. at its 50K capacity, and it can operate at up to 40 MPH over rugged terrain.

Each TR50-HDT features three high-capacity air springs and heavy-duty ride shocks. The shocks help mitigate the dynamic forces that can damage trailers, axles and wheel ends, and the system is flexibly designed to allow additional shocks to be added if desired, Link says.

Link’s TR50-HDT can be configured to fit the majority of heavy-haul trailers with 17-in. ride heights, and further customization is available. Two-axle A train, three-axle B train and super B train axle configurations can all be accommodated by the TR50-HDT.

Each TR50-HDT heavy-duty off-highway air-ride suspension is fully integrated with a 6-in. solid round KGI axle. The 92.8-in. axle track utilizes 14R 25-in. wheel ends and 18-in. drum brakes.