Air dryers were originally supplied with commercial vehicles in the 1970s to help eliminate brake-line freeze-up. Today’s trucks increasingly rely on clean and dry compressed air to control a variety of automated functions, including Automated Manual Transmissions and emissions controls. With a high-quality air supply more important than ever for safe commercial vehicle operation, Kenworth Truck Company is now offering the proven Bendix AD-IS air dryer with PuraGuard oil-coalescing cartridges as standard equipment on Class 6-8 air-braked Kenworth vehicles.
“Kenworth and Bendix have worked closely together as electronically controlled safety technologies, such as full stability and collision mitigation, have become more popular and standard on their trucks. We share a commitment to provide Kenworth customers with the
lowest cost of ownership as new technologies are adopted,” said Richard Nagel, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions, Air Charging. “That means ensuring their vehicles’ air systems are providing the cleanest and driest air possible to keep these new technologies operating flawlessly.”
Automated air controls on trucks rely on electronically operated solenoids, which require cleaner and drier air than traditional manual brake valves, and are sensitive to both small particulate and oil contamination. Additionally, many Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs) use mechatronic shifters, which combine the intelligence of electronic controls with the reliability and high power density of pneumatics. The compressed air to control these AMTs is supplied by an engine’s existing air compressor.
“Bendix has more than 40 years of experience in pioneering commercial air dryer technology, which has proven its worth time and again over millions of miles,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “And just as importantly, we value the expertise and insight of the Bendix team members who share our dedication to Kenworth’s customers – as well as our commitment to keeping trucks on the road and in good operating condition.”
Powerful Pairing
A Bendix AD-IS air dryer equipped with a Bendix PuraGuard cartridge provides the industry’s most effective solution for removing oil aerosols from a truck’s compressed air system. PuraGuard’s design includes a patented check valve and places the oil-coalescing
media ahead of the air dryer cartridge’s desiccant, which extends the life of the cartridge, since oil aerosols foul the desiccant and reduce its effectiveness. Oil aerosols or small particulates can contaminate brake valves, emission controls, or AMT shifters, leading to costly repairs.
“It’s important for fleets to know that when truck engineers specify an oil-coalescing cartridge, that protection extends beyond the truck’s first owner,” noted Frank Uhelsky, Bendix product manager for Air Treatment. “The spin-on PuraGuard cartridge is readily available in the aftermarket, so if a manufacturer like Kenworth specifies an oil-coalescing cartridge to protect their trucks, it’s even more important to stick with a like replacement. Replacement with a nonoil coalescing cartridge leaves those components vulnerable to contamination.”
Through its complete lineup of products, Bendix delivers on vehicle performance and efficiency, as well as other areas critical to fleets’ success, including safety, reliability, and unparalleled post-sales support. By strengthening return on investment in equipment and
technology, Bendix aims to help fleets and drivers lower their total costs of vehicle ownership, and enhance safety for everyone sharing the roads.
Visit Bendix’s multimedia center at safertrucks.com/knowledge-dock for blog posts, podcasts, videos, and more on a range of trucking-related topics, including braking systems.
For more information about Bendix technologies, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.bendix.com.
