If you’re looking at spec’ing a lift axle for vocational applications, you want to know the loads you will be hauling and the capacity of the suspension you’ll need. You’ll also want to take a close look at your frame rail.
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“More and more lift axle manufacturers are offering these specialized models because of the additional space the newer Selective Catalytic Reduction [SCR] engine technology requires due to the addition of Diesel Exhaust Fluid [DEF] tanks and advanced exhaust systems,” explained Jason Heath, product manager, Powered Vehicle Systems, SAF-Holland Inc.
To ensure that your lift axle is durable enough to tackle the toughest of vocational tasks, it’s important to focus on the kingpin. A properly lubricated and maintained kingpin will last around 10 years or 1 million miles, according to Heath.
“There are typically two lube points on each kingpin, one on the top of the kingpin and one on the bottom,” Heath said. “In a traditional kingpin, lube must travel from the point of origin through the plain bearings and into the thrust bearing. The bottom lube point is the most difficult to lube correctly because lubrication must flow against gravity. It is often the case that thrust bearings do not receive adequate lubrication and prematurely wear out. Kingpins tend to last but they are rebuilt once, twice or even three times in their lifetime. Rebuilding a traditional kingpin is very labor intensive.”
