Link states International becomes the fourth major OEM to offer Link’s SmartValve directly from the factory, joining Freightliner, Kenworth and Peterbilt.
According to Link, International Motors customers can now specify SmartValve using option code 14WCS, eliminating the need for post-production modifications at custom truck service centers. The factory-installed option represents a significant advancement in streamlining the ordering and delivery process for fleets and owner-operators seeking Link’s advanced suspension control technology, the company adds.
“The addition of International Motors as a factory-install partner reflects the strong market demand for SmartValve technology across the industry,” says Mike Leakey, vice president of sales and marketing for Link Manufacturing. “With International joining Freightliner, Kenworth and Peterbilt in offering factory installation, we’re making it easier than ever for the marketplace to access the operational benefits of electronic height control directly from the production line.”
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SmartValve provides intelligent control of chassis suspension for Class 8 trucks in 6x4 configurations, delivering key operational advantages that improve efficiency and safety in yard operations and over-the-road driving. Link says the system maintains the same envelope as traditional mechanical valves while offering superior functionality.
The company adds other key features include:
- Trailer coupling assistance: Dash-mounted controls raise or lower rear suspension height, allowing operators to easily position the fifth wheel under the trailer and then lift it, helping them avoid hard cranking of landing gear on a loaded trailer
- Air dump capability: Enables rear suspension dumping, lowering the rear chassis suspension and thus the fifth wheel, for easier trailer coupling operations with automatic return to standard height when wheel speed exceeds 7 mph
- Speed-based safety interlocks: Limits dump and raise features to stopped or slow-speed conditions, preventing inadvertent activation during highway operation
- Reduced air consumption: Maintains accurate ride height with less air usage compared to mechanical valves, improving overall system efficiency
