Hendrickson has partnered with Navistar to offer its next-generation rubber suspension, the Haulmaax EX, as a part of the chassis enhancements of the new International HX vocational truck.

Hendrickson's next-generation, heavy-duty rubber suspension, the Haulmaax EX, will be the standard rubber suspension offering for the HX, addressing the growing demand for rubber suspensions across all vocational applications, the company said. The Haulmaax EX suspension is optimized to provide increased site rating, expanded capacity ranges, and improved durability.

“Customers today expect more out of their vocational suspensions,” said Ashley Dudding, director of engineering for Hendrickson, in a news release. “Haulmaax EX exceeds expectations by expanding on the capabilities of the current Haulmaax design. With up to a 70,000-pound site rating for the 46,000-pound-capacity suspension. Haulmaax EX is extremely rugged, supporting the most demanding vocational applications and offering capacities of 40,000 pounds, 46,000 pounds, and now 52,000 pounds." In addition, Dudding said, the suspension was designed to minimize maintenance requirements and reduce weight while offering a balance of unloaded ride quality and loaded stability.

Hendrickson said the Haulmaax EX is the lightest weight suspension in its class, allowing the ability to increase the payload of the vehicle while providing versatility needed for trucks and tractors that operate both on-and off-highway conditions.

The suspension’s equalizing beam distributes the load equally between both axles in off-road and uneven terrain conditions. The innovative design eliminates fixed center bushing pivot points to reduce wheel hop. When paired with Hendrickson Traax Rods, the company added, vehicle stability is enhanced, and articulation increased for improved on/off-highway operation.

“Just like the newly redesigned International HX Series, Hendrickson took a great suspension and made it better,” said Mark Stasell, vice president Vocational Truck Business, Navistar, in a news release. “The Haulmaax EX delivers improved performance and durability, which helped our team design the new HX Series for productivity, durability, and comfort.”