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There is a growing need to convert existing trailers towed by agricultural vehicles from simple and limited hydraulic braking systems to safer combined air and hydraulic braking systems.
Modern tractors are capable of pulling ever bigger trailers and payloads at higher speeds. Therefore common sense, not to mention current and forthcoming legislation, dictate that more effective braking systems are used on both tractor and trailer.
Trailers with hydraulic braking systems often have no built in failsafe features, unlike air brake systems, which also tend to be more powerful, more sensitive and more controllable. Air brake systems are also, of course, pollution free.
UK air brake specialist, Tractair, designs and manufactures air brakes for both tractors and trailers. The company has recently developed an easy to install retrofit kit for installing air brakes on existing trailers with single, tandem or tri- axle configurations. The systems incorporate the innovative dual air / hydraulic brake chamber.
The kit comes complete with all necessary components and pipework, plus schematic line drawings and exploded diagrams, making it suitable for installation by any competent agricultural engineer.
It is important to note that different trailer manufacturers specify different types of axle configurations – including round or square sectioned axle beams. Furthermore, the position and length of the S cam shaft differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, the exact position of the brake chamber can only be determined by the end user. However, Tractair offers an optional universal mounting bracket that is suitable for the majority of S cam axle configurations.
There are various optional extras, including automatic reservoir drain valves; line filters; tyre inflation kits; shunt and park valves; test equipment; and manual or mechanical load sensing valves. ABS is only available for recent or new trailer build, where exciter rings are incorporated in the axle hubs.
Full technical support is available, including installation if required at Tractair’s works in Brough. As the company designs all its own products, bespoke air brake systems for either tractor or trailer can also be designed and manufactured.