Accuride Corporation has introduced two new sizes of its Gunite Optimum Lightweight Drum to support the revised stopping regulations for standard three-axle tractors.
The new regulations will go into effect Aug. 1, 2011.

Accuride has added a new 16.5 by 8 inch size and a 16.5 by 8 5/8 inch size.

"Adding the new GOLD drums for the larger high performance drum brake systems that will be coming out in August 2011, can save fleets an additional 76 pounds over full cast drums, offsetting weight penalties of the larger front and rear brakes," said Tony Pape, Accuride's vice president of marketing.

Gold brake drums are designed to be an optimum balance between durability and thermal capability. Accuride says they can save as much as 170 pounds compared to standard full-cast drums on a typical tractor-trailer combination.

"During two years of Gold drum field-testing on standard 15 x 4 inch steer axle brakes and 16.5 x 7 inch drive and trailer axle brakes, fleets reported longer drum life without increased lining wear," said Pape.

More info: www.accuridecorp.com