ZF Intarder racks up two decades and 800,000 units
June 17, 2013
German driveline giant ZF has produced the 800,000th Intarder transmission brake for commercial vehicles.
ZF is up to the third generation of the device it introduced in 1992.
The company says around one in three ZF commercial transmissions are now equipped with the optional Intarder, “with this ratio set to climb”.
“Reducing the reliance on a vehicle’s main brakes, the Intarder increases safety and occupant comfort, and drives financial savings by providing wear-free sustained retardation,” ZF says.
It says the latest generation of the Intarder is smaller and weighs less – 65kg – while also being quieter and providing improved deceleration.
Heat control is achieved via the engine’s cooling circuit, “which makes it ideal for new generation trucks with higher coolant temperature thresholds”.
“Since the Intarder is arranged on the transmission output, the braking effect is maintained even when changing gears, providing maximum protection for the main brakes against fading,” the company says.
“The latest generation features a new electronic control unit, which simplifies integration into vehicle brake management systems, while also providing a cruise control function.”
