Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems has unveiled the newly upgraded 20,000-lb Paralift steerable truck lift-axle system. It’s now available with adjustable ride height and frame width capabilities. Combining unique spacers with a slotted crossmember, the axle’s adjustability means that aftermarket installers and body builders can stock just one unit to meet a wide variety of truck configurations.
The trailing-arm beams evolved from a dual-paddle, triangular cross-section design to a more efficient single-paddle, z-beam configuration. The introduction of zero-torsion trailing-arm bushings helps eliminate bushing wind-up and allows for the single-air-spring configuration, Hendrickson says.
Repositioning of the stabilizer is claimed to add another benefit: the combined impact of the new lift-spring design and the repositioned stabilizer increases wheel cut from 18 degrees to more than 25 degrees to help improve maneuverability and tire wear.
With a 1465-lb system weight, the Paralift offers a 160-lb weight saving compared to the previous model. It features 12 in. of total travel with 9 in. of lift in ride heights from 9 to 13.5 in., all in a 28-in. package space.
All of these features affect the bottom line substantially, says Hendrickson, lowering both cost and weight.