BorgWarner introduces K32 two-speed fan drive conversion

Building on the popularity of its on-off fan drive, the K32, BorgWarner’s two-speed variant will be available in April as an option from truck manufacturers as well as a conversion kit for operators current utilizing the on-off clutch. Applicable mostly for vocational and/or stop and go applications, where frequent engagement of the on-off clutch could lead to excessive wear of components, the K32 Durospeed boosts disengaged speed for greater cooling effect when not at full engagement.

BorgWarner Application Engineer Ryan Livingston detailed the K32 Durospeed at a Mid-American Trucking Show press briefing Wednesday.

Today, noted BorgWarner Account Manager Lance Wildman, on-off or variable speed fan drives (like the BW Vistronic variable) in linehaul and vocational applications are quite common. Two-speed drives, however, Wildman expects, will dominate vocational applications within the next five years, given the elevated cooling you get when disengaged.

Built on the back of the K32 on-off, which Livingston described as “industry standard” in the on-off realm, the K32 Durospeed is made in the United States and built for ease of maintenance. Line and seal service kits are available for regular service. Conversion from any of BorgWarner’s “on-off fan drives that are in the field today” is a relatively simple matter, he added.