Regarding the conversion, Marmon-Herrington says the new technology employs the company’s sub-frames, step-frames, and front suspension configurations and reduces cab height increase from 10 in. to 5 in. The company says the conversion is available for Class 7 and 8 trucks (14-22k front axle weight ratings) and is available across various truck models based on specific engine and transmissions configurations.
“We have combined several new strategies with our MT-Series planetary drive axles to achieve remarkable height reduction. Marmon-Herrington provides our customers with best-in-class rigid axle AWD power and durability as well as industry leading ground clearance and low cab height,” says Dan Souhan, sales and marketing director, Marmon-Herrington. “We understand the importance of multiple performance characteristics when evaluating an AWD conversion and continually work to ensure Marmon-Herrington offers our customers the very best in every category.”
Marmon-Herrington’s new sub-frame and step-frame designs have been developed to achieve an overall decrease in cab height for supporting the latest generation of aerials with a Marmon-Herrington double reduction planetary front drive axle. The company says double reduction planetary axle design allows the axle’s input torque to be distributed across the entire axle as compared to single reduction axles. Torque splitting in the Marmon-Herrington double reduction planetary axle allows for the use of a compact ring and pinion gearset, thus reducing the size of center section and increasing ground clearance all while achieving unparalleled durability and lower cab height increases, the company says.
“The combination of our new frame designs, our planetary drive axle, and a properly spec’d truck provides unparalleled performance in every key area,” adds Scott Williams, AWD engineering manager, Marmon-Herrington. “The primary areas that we continually focus on include: lowest possible cab height, highest possible ground clearance, unlimited speed and torque limitations, low tire wear, reduced maintenance, and zero down time. Our goal from an engineering side is to ensure that we set the bar in each of these areas while maintaining the unparalleled durability customers expect from Marmon-Herrington.”
Marmon-Herrington adds the new axle option supports customer requests for commonality between the front and rear tires and minimizes potential downtime. The company says the new offering maintains the industry leading 5G high dynamic shock load capability that has defined the MT22 as a market leader for decades.
The MT22 axle with 285mm wheel end will be standard on all Marmon-Herrington AWD conversions and will be offered as standard to all MT22 customers for all approved applications. Marmon-Herrington will continue to manufacture and support the 335mm bolt circle option for OE production and AWD customers.
“Our customers asked for it and we are excited to deliver the new 285mm wheel end. This product launch delivers the standard fit and wheel commonality our fleets need,” says Souhan. “This expands our product line offering to our OE customers and allows for in-house Marmon-Herrington AWD conversions to use the wheels that originally come with the truck.”
