Hendrickson Commercial Vehicle Systems Europe GmbH
Hendrickson’s pioneering spirit for innovative suspension system started more than a 100 years ago. The company story in North America began in the year 1913 with the production of the first durable tandem walking-beam suspension. Today Hendrickson is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of medium- and heavy-duty suspensions, axle and brake systems, auxiliary lift axle systems, parabolic and multi-leaf springs, stabilizers and bumper and trim components to the global commercial transportation industry. Hendrickson's ride solutions benefit multiple transportation categories including on-highway and off-road trucks, buses, military vehicles and other specialty vehicle markets.
Through worldwide manufacturing sites close to the customers the products of Hendrickson can be customized to the requirements of the environment. Hendrickson’s business target is to support customers with innovation and the development of new technical solutions to meet their market needs.
Hendrickson presently has sales and distribution facilities and state-of-the-art manufacturing centers in North and South America, India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Turkey. The European Group, consisting of manufacturing facilities in France, Romania and Austria, is located in Styria, in the heart of Austria. The production sites manufacture and supply parabolic and multi-leaf springs, parabolic lenkers and stabilizers for the European OEMs and work actively on optimized designs, processes and materials to provide innovation in all ride solutions.
Products and Services
We have constantly been building our expertise in spring production and development.
Today we are Europe’s market leader in quantities of springs produced and collaborate with the leading European truck and trailer manufacturers to serve their needs.
- Medium- and heavy-duty mechanical, elastomeric and air suspensions
- Integrated and non-integrated axle and brake systems
- Auxiliary lift axle systems
- Parabolic springs, parabolic linkers
- Multi-leaf springs
- Stabilizers
- Bumper components
- Trim components
HAULMAAX
Heavy-duty Rear Rubber Suspension
Advanced engineering design methods and experience gathered from millions of Hendrickson suspensions created HAULMAAX, a rugged, yet lightweight rubber rear suspension that saves weight over competitive suspensions for greater payloads and route consolidation.
Equalizing Beam
Formed and robotically-welded equalizing beam provides a narrow profile for weight savings, distributes load equally between both axles for improved traction, lowers the center of gravity to increase stability, and establishes a solid axle connection for improved handling.
Bar pin end connection
Rugged axle connection extends bushing life, and allows easy axle alignment and serviceability.
Progressive load spring
Engaged for a smooth ride and additional stability.
Premium rubber tie-bar bolster springs
The unique design works with the progressive load spring to deliver enhanced empty ride quality and loaded stability.
Optional shock absorbers
Provide additional driver comfort. Required for tractor and applications.
SOFTEK
Integrated Monoleaf Suspension and Steer Axle System
Hendrickson’s SOFTEK® NXT system combines the STEERTEK NXT axle and monoleaf spring technology with an advanced integrated clamp group design. This complete system saves over 45 kgs compared to a traditional two-leaf spring and I-beam axle system.
Monoleaf Spring Technology
- Reduces weight up to 72 lbs. compared to standard 2-leaf springs
- Eliminates inter-leaf friction which improves ride and comfort
SOFTRIDE™ Monoleaf Technology
- Utilizes proprietary manufacturing techniques to help ensure long service life
Steering and Tie Rod Arms
- Integrated for increased strength and reduced weight
Shackle Redundancy
- Replaces the need for a second leaf thus reducing weight
Brake Compatibility
- Compatible with drum or disc brakes
- Accepts both 5/8"and ¾" brake hardware
Rubber Bushings
- Reduces maintenance and front end noise
- Requires no lubrication
Two-piece Knuckle Assembly
- Significantly reduces the time required to service the kingpin bushings
- Premium kingpin bushings and seals provide enhanced protection from the elements to improve bushing life
STEERTEK NXT Axle
- The box-shaped cross section resists horizontal, vertical and twisting forces more effectively than traditional I-beam axles which improves handling
- Continuous beam architecture minimizes stress points for added durability
- Integrated axle seats to improve ground clearance, reduce part count and simplify assembly
AIRTEK
Integrated Front Air Suspension and Steer Axle System
AIRTEK’s superior design and engineering improves roll stability versus standard suspensions. Its exclusive air springs support a majority of the load, greatly increasing driver comfort. Premium rubber bushings are incorporated to aid in the isolation of noise, vibration and harshness, which helps protect valuable cab components and contributes to AIRTEK’s exceptional ride quality. AIRTEK assists in protecting drivers from bumps and potholes, providing a premium ride while maintaining constant ride height.
The AIRTEK suspension, combined with Hendrickson’s STEERTEK NXT fabricated axle, is up to 44Kg lighter than traditional forged axle and steel springs designed to improve load capacity and help enhance fuel efficiency.
Improved Ride and Comfort
Exclusive air springs support a majority of the load to provide a low spring rate and to improve ride*
Reduced Maintenance
- Unique two-piece knuckle design eliminates the need to remove the kingpin to service the knuckle
- Durable rubber front and rear bushings require no lubrication
- Premium kingpin bushings and seals provide enhanced protection from the elements to improve bushing life
- Quick "snap" installation feature of air spring and "push-to-connect" air supply design provides efficient installation and removal of air springs and height control valves
Stability and Handling
- Leaf spring assembly forms a torsion system with the axle to increase roll stability*
Weight Savings up to 44Kg
- AIRTEK’s unique design provides significant weight savings compared to a traditional forged axle and steel springs
Brake Compatibility
- Compatible with drum or disc brakes
STEERTEK NXT Axle
- The box-shaped cross section resists horizontal, vertical and twisting forces more effectively than traditional I-beam axles
- Continuous beam architecture minimises stress points for added durability
- Integrated axle seats to improve ground clearance, reduce part count and simplify assembly
- STEERTEK NXT comes with a standard 10-year, 1 million mile limited warranty
PRIMAAX
Medium-duty drive axle air suspension system
PRIMAAX®, medium-duty air suspension for tractor and rigid truck applications, maximises driver comfort and vehicle protection. Rated up to 10.5 t, PRIMAAX adjusts to variations in load and road conditions for optimal ride and performance.
Unique suspension geometry, parallelogram design with forged support beams and square cross brace, provides a solid connection and forms a rigid torsion and stabilizer system.
This integrated feature delivers greater stability for improved control.
Capacity: up to 10.5t
Application: For tractor and rigid truck applications
Outstanding ride
- Superior ride and handling provide enhanced driver comfort and protection to vehicle loads and body
- Non-reactive to brake and acceleration torque
- Roll-resistant design simplifies installation and maintenance
More road time
- Proven in arduous conditions
- Hendrickson's torsion bar eliminates the need for a costly anti-roll bar
- Reduces weight — Increases load, ensuring maximum profitability for the end user
- Improves packaging
Flexibility
- Suitable for tractor and rigid applications
- Unique suspension geometry— Parallelogram design significantly controls suspension wind up and corresponding frame rise— Driveline angles are maintained throughout axle travel, thereby reducing suspension-induced driveline vibration and extending component life
COMFORT AIR
Rear Axle Air Suspension System
Drawing on over 100 years of innovation, superior design and quality manufacturing, Hendrickson delivers COMFORT AIR®, providing outstanding passenger and driver comfort along with exceptional handling characteristics for on-highway applications.
Height Control Valve
- Fast acting HCVs maintain precise ride height control through changing road surfaces,
loads and driving conditions
Shock Absorber
- Tuned for optimum damping characteristics to provide maximum driving comfort
- Protects air springs during rebound
TRAXX ROD™ – Torque Rods
- Fabricated heavy-duty torque rods provide greater durability over conventional rods
- Enhances handling during cornering by controlling lateral forces to maintain axle position
- Exceptional bushing walk-out performance
- Multiple lengths without tooling available
Frame Hanger Bracket
- Wide footprint distributes load over a larger area for reduced frame stress
Main Support Member
- Efficently designed for optimised roll stiffness and durability
- Provides neutral roll steer for better handling
ULTIMAAX
Advanced Severe-duty Rubber Suspension
Drawing on 100+ years of experience, Hendrickson has employed the latest engineering advancements and expertise to develop the ULTIMAAX®severe-duty rubber suspension, designed to balance outstanding durability, empty ride quality, loaded stability and mobility. Through its unique design, the system offers premium ride quality in both empty and loaded conditions, with increasing stability as the load increases.
Features & Benefits
- Recommended for fire/rescue, dump, logging, refuse, mixer, oil field, military and mining applications
- Optimised design to balance robust durability and weight savings
- Progressive rate springs provide a unique balance of unloaded ride quality and loaded stability
- Fabricated walking-beam design equalises axle loading while providing optimal clearance, axle travel and weight
- Capacities up to 48 t
STABILISERS
Solid and Tube Stabilisers
Hendrickson is European market leader for stabilisers and produces these in Douai (France).
The stabiliser plays a key role in a bus and truck suspension by improving vehicle stability, handling and enhanced comfort in the curves. In addition to the development of solid stabilisers, which forms our core business, we also manufacture tube stabilisers.
The advantages of tube stabilisers are becoming increasingly important in all weight-critical applications in the new generation of trucks.
The benefits of our stabilisers at a glance
Hendrickson a leading supplier of both solid and tube stabilisers in the European truck market. For over three decades, we have been partnering with the truck and bus industry to provide efficient suspension solutions
Weight-saving Solutions
Tube stabilisers are up to 45 % lighter and enable a significant reduction in both unsprung and total weight. They help our customers to meet today’s fuel consumption challenge and the expectations of higher payloads.
Big Diameters
Our expertise lies in medium to big diameter stabilisers. We are the only manufacturer able to deliver tube stabilisers for diameters up to 65mm with 10mm wall thickness, the required outer curvature and the minimum wall thickness in the bend.
Surface Treatment
Our advanced two-stage coating line (zinc phosphate pre-treatment and powder top coat) will ensure anticorrosion surface protection, resulting in superior durability and added value for your customers.
LEAF SPRINGS
Customised Leaf Spring Solutions
Hendrickson offers the widest range of springs available. From parabolic springs to air suspension springs. From mono-leaf and multi-leaf springs to customised spring solutions. For the lightest LCV to the heaviest-load truck.
A Leaf Spring for Every Need
Hendrickson offers the widest range of springs available. From parabolic springs to air suspension springs. From mono-leaf and multi-leaf springs to customised spring solutions. For the lightest LCV to the heaviest-load truck. With a maximum spring thickness up to 63 mm and maximum length of 2.400 mm. We offer our customers a complete line-up of springs ranging from 7kg to 400 kg. Whatever our customers need – reliable products, outstanding durability, innovative designs or weight reduction – we are the smart partner for transport excellence.
Weight-saving Solutions
Every kilo counts in the business and our weight-saving solutions can total up to 100kg saved per truckload. For our end-customers, that means reduced transportation costs, reduced emissions and a higher payload. By utilising increased stress-levels, a reduction of steel mass and the number of leaves, we are continually improving and manufacturing customised weight-saving solutions. Our 360° approach includes the development of spring designs combined with state-of-the-art, precision processes to deliver robust, durable and lighter steel springs. These added values are designed to benefit our customers, our end-customers and the environment.