Why is air suspension retrospectively fitted?
The retrospective installation of air suspension is normally done for one of three reasons, either to convert a mechanically suspended chassis when air suspension is not available from the manufacturer as a standard on line option, to change the specification of a ‘stock’ chassis manufactured with mechanical suspension or as part of a third axle conversion.
The main reasons for requiring air suspension are:-
- To lower the ride height to the top of the chassis.
- The ability to maintain a given ride height to the top of the chassis in various load conditions.
- To provide a smooth ride for delicate loads.
- To gain the ability to raise or lower the chassis frame height in a given situation, e.g. when loading or unloading, to increase ground clearance when operating in adverse conditions or as the lifting medium when used as part of a demountable operation.
- To lift the tyres of a leading or trailing axle clear of the ground.