The Kenworth T880 is now available for order with the Hendrickson Ultimaxx advanced severe-duty rubber suspension. The Ultimaxx offers a balance of empty ride quality and loaded stability for driver comfort, while also cushioning the load and protecting the chassis, cargo and body equipment from excessive vibration and road shock due to potholes and rugged terrain. For the T880, the suspension is available with axle ratings from 46,000 to 52,000 pounds, axle spacings of 54 and 60 inches with 11-inch ride height for applications such as refuse, sand and gravel, crane/boom, platform, construction and logging.
Fleets operating trucks up to 52,000-pound capacities “can now specify the Hendrickson Ultimaxx severe-duty suspension with the Kenworth T880 to provide their drivers with a consistently smooth ride while running loaded or empty on the harshest roads and terrains,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. The suspension “helps enhance the T880’s traction, stability and handling under loads from 46,000 to 52,000 pounds. Plus, it adds even more durability and helps customers maintain a lower cost of operation with its components designed for maximum weight savings for additional payload.”
The suspension features bar pin end bushings, a progressive load spring design and a rugged axle connection to extend service life. The progressive load spring design also makes replacement easier, and the rugged axle connection can reduce re-bush time. Rubber shear springs carry a majority of vertical load in the empty condition, creating a smoother ride. As the load increases, the suspension’s ride and stability characteristics change to meet the application’s needs without an abrupt change in spring load.
Integrated with the rate spring design and rugged axle connection is Hendrickson’s walking (equalizing) beam technology, which utilizes a central pivot point to help keep tire contact with the road or worksite surface, maintaining traction. Its flat-bottom design increases ground clearance, plus it delivers up to 17.5 inches of diagonal wheel articulation to keep the load on all drive wheels.
It’s available in day cab, 40-inch, 52-inch and 76-inch sleeper configurations of the T880.
