Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, the North American leader in the development and manufacture of leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and braking systems, later this year will introduce Bendix eTrac [- an automated air pressure transfer system for Bendix ABS-6 braking systems with automatic traction control.
Designed for 6x2 tractors and trucks, the eTrac transfer system fully automates what currently is a manual system of air pressure transfer. When added to Bendix Smart ATC (automatic traction control) and Bendix ABS-6 Advanced with ESP Electronic Stability Program (Bendix ESP), eTrac automatically engages and disengages - without driver input - the vehicle's airbag pressure transfer system during low-traction events.
Pressure is transferred from the undriven axle to the driven axle without requiring manual input or driver action.
“By automating the air transfer process, the eTrac system will make it easier for fleets to take advantage of the more efficient suspensions typically found on 6x2 tractors," said TJ Thomas, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions, Controls group. “Unlike a manual system, eTrac can respond in fractions of a second to a low-traction situation, offering real-time adjustment.
"Fleets will find the eTrac technology to be a valuable addition to the Bendix ABS-6 family of braking systems, providing an additional return on investment and helping to maintain a lower overall total cost of ownership.”
The Bendix eTrac automated air pressure transfer system provides protection against drivetrain damage by automatically disengaging after a low-traction event or when the vehicle's resumed speed exceeds 25 mph.
The system also allows for manual activation at speeds below 10 mph, or when a vehicle's ATC mud/snow switch is enabled.
