Rigid axle units aimed at 3 and 5 tonne vehicles

A re-developed range of heavy duty rigid axle units for off-highway and construction site vehicle applications has been announced by Coventry-based mechanical driveline equipment specialist, Newage Transmissions Ltd. The first two models in the series, the 215 and 415, are nominally designed for 3 and 5 tonne vehicle types. Each unit features double reduction gearing, with a 14.8:1 drive ratio as standard.

In addition, all axles in the new range will be available with integral transfer gearboxes for hydrostatic drives - providing overall reduction ratios of: 22.64, 26.10 and 31.52:1.

According to Newage's Technical Director, Clive Rayner: "These two new units are the forerunners of our next generation of versatile, high efficiency driveline equipment.

They are designed on a modular basis to ensure maximum commonality of parts.

This, in turn, means reduced development and manufacturing costs, as well as even better availability of units and spares."

"We believe that by extending the new range to suit vehicles up to 10 tonnes, we shall have products ideally suited to a much wider range of construction site and off-highway applications," he added.

Both new models incorporate integrated oil-immersed disc brakes and transmit drive to the wheels via inboard planetary reduction units and fully floating half shafts.

Offered with three wheel track widths, 215 and 415 series axles are rated at maximum loads of 3200kg and 5200kg and provide nominal output torques at their two wheels of 6,460Nm and 13,222Nm respectively, based on the standard reduction ratio of 14.8:1.

Both new units are available with an optional handbrake and can be supplied with a comprehensive range of input flange and wheel mounting configurations.

With a precision engineering pedigree spanning more than 70 years, Coventry-based Newage Transmissions Ltd is one of the UK's leading designers and manufacturers of high efficiency mechanical drive-line equipment.

The company's products - which are backed by certification to BSI standards - encompass heavy duty gearboxes, axles and transfer boxes for off-road dumper vehicles, as well as its world-renowned PRM marine gearbox range.

Newage also supplies finished products for a wide variety of new generation, special purpose vehicles in addition to sub-contract services for leading manufacturing organisations, including AGCO Massey Ferguson, Case and Lansing Linde.