THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

May 2008

How retarders help save brakes and tyres.

The ability to carry heavier loads safely across demanding topography in as shorter time as possible at lowest possible cost is what separates the ‘men from the boys’ in truck transport today. Having the right tyres on the right vehicle driven by the right driver is only part of the equation. Having the right stopping power on your rig is essential to not only avoid accidents, but to allow for optimum exploitation of vehicle momentum. Achieving this means one thing – having a retarder on board, reports Paul Collings.

Voith Retarders allow trucks to descend steep gradients safely at speed without using service brakes, shortening trip times while saving money.

WITH TYRES ACCOUNTING for approximately one fifth of overall running expenses, equipping rigs with an efficient brake management system is crucial for the effective and safe performance of any modern heavy commercial vehicle. 

According to Bruce Dickson, Divisional Director, Voith Turbo Road Division, “transport companies are having to cope with ever increasing pressures with, on the one hand, customers demanding higher pay loads, faster turn around times and on-time delivery whilst still insisting on competitive pricing, and, on the other hand, contending with spiralling costs of tyres, diesel, toll fees and spares,” explains Bruce. 

“Consequently, regular tyre and other maintenance management, both crucial safety factors, are often compromised in order for a transport company to remain competitive.” 

Boosting uptime 

The upshot of such oversights is an operation doomed to failure. No transporter can afford to neglect the safety critical items vehicles as much as they can afford to put an underskilled, unlicenced driver behind the wheel. 

The good news is that vehicles equipped with technologies that promote vehicle economy save operators on maintenance costs, labour time and promote fleet uptime. “The Voith Retarder, with electronic retarder control system, incorporates the latest hydrodynamic technology and is perfectly integrated into a truck’s brake management via the onboard electronics as an integral part of the vehicle braking system,” explains Dickson. “Voith Retarders can play an important role in prolonging tyre life, especially on the non-driving tyres. Average speeds remain even and braking action and gear changes are smoother – all factors that contribute to extended tyre life.” 

Reducing costs 

It is a known fact that ineffective, hard and inconsistent braking reduces tyre life significantly. “Voith Retarders achieve virtually wear-free braking as high volumes of energy are converted into heat without causing any wear to the service brake which remains cold and fully operationable in case of emergency braking. Engine brake and Voith Retarder complement each other ideally and as a result, optimium braking power is achieved at high and low speeds, maximising tyre life. 

The Voith Retarder takes care of between 80% to 90% of all braking operations at high and low speeds and operators report brake linings lasting between 3 to 5 times longer and drastically reduced maintenance costs on service brake systems with Voith Retarders,” Dickson concludes.