Meritor debuts new transit axle

user-gravatar Headshot
Updated Oct 12, 2017

Meritor on Tuesday introduced two new axles, including the 79000 single-reduction drive axle for transit buses.

Meritor says the new bus axle has a lifespan three times longer than previous offerings. It features a gross axle weight rating of 28,660 lb., and a one-piece cast iron housing with integral suspension pads and bolt-on torque rod brackets for extra strength and durability. The carrier design includes a bolted differential case and gear for more efficient assembly and service.

It will be available to OEMs in early 2018, Meritor says.

“Our new 79000 axle was specifically developed and validated for the North America transit bus duty cycle and exceeds expectations for extended product durability,” says Joe Muscedere, general manager, Off Highway, Specialty & Defense, North America. “By extending the life of the carrier, we’re confident the 79000 is the most robust single reduction drive axle for 35-ft. to 60-ft. bus applications.”

Meritor says its new axle is designed to help municipal transit fleets meet federal and industry durability guidelines. By more than tripling the durability of the 79000, Meritor says fleets may only need to replace the axle’s carrier once instead of multiple times during the vehicle’s service life in this heavy stop-and-go segment.

The new 79000 is a direct replacement for Meritor’s 71000 axle, with the same packaging and suspension interfaces, wheel-ends, brakes and wear components for seamless integration of the new axle into transit fleets. The 79000 can be retrofitted easily into buses that currently have a Meritor 71000 Series axle. Axle gear noise levels of the 79000 are equivalent to the 71000, the company says.

Fleets can use higher-capacity retarders to extend the service life and replacement interval of wearable brake components, significantly reducing maintenance and replacement costs for transit authorities. Meritor says the robustness and durability of the 79000 can also be applied to all-electric powertrains featuring higher torques and rapid torque reversals.

Military axle beams

Meritor on Tuesday also introduced the ProTec Series 50 range of beam axles for military-specific applications. The axles will be available in the fall of 2018.

“We’re expanding our ProTec portfolio to include a series of beam axles that have been engineered to satisfy very demanding military specifications as well as performance and dependability requirements,” says Muscedere. “This product, featuring a new beam design, utilizes theater-proven technologies to fulfill the mission at hand.”

Available in multiple configurations, the ProTec Series 50 beam axles offer gross axle weight of 60,000 lb. for tandem and 90,000 lb. for tridem, with broad overall ratio selection ranging from 3.46:1 to 24.8:1 to fit unique and demanding applications.

Learn how to move your used trucks faster
With unsold used inventory depreciating at a rate of more than 2% monthly, efficient inventory turnover is a must for dealers. Download this eBook to access proven strategies for selling used trucks faster.
Download
Used Truck Guide Cover