AirGlide Supension

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by kwforage, Aug 23, 2007.

  1. Aug 23, 2007 #1
    kwforage

    kwforage Road Train Member

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    I recently purchased a 1992 KW T600. It has been coverted into a silage truck, meaning the sleeper and fifth wheel were removed and a 22' silage box and wet kit are mounted on the rear. It is used to haul silage out of fields to farms that are too far away to use a tractor and wagon. My problem is that it leans alot more than I would like it to when it is loaded on a hillside. I have looked into getting Timbren springs for it, but do not like the $1,100 price tag. Is there any other way to stop the rear from leaning so much. Also I know that it is an 8 bag AirGlide, but how do I tell if it is the 100, 200, or 460 suspension? Thanks.
     
    kwforage, Aug 23, 2007
    kwforage, Aug 23, 2007
    #1
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  3. Aug 23, 2007 #2
    Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Your KW dealer would know. You may be able to call them with the last 6 of the vin and have them tell you over the phone. Its worth a try.
     
    Brickman, Aug 23, 2007
    Brickman, Aug 23, 2007
    #2
  4. Aug 23, 2007 #3
    kwforage

    kwforage Road Train Member

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    I called and found out it is an AG 100. Thanks.
     
    kwforage, Aug 23, 2007
    kwforage, Aug 23, 2007
    #3
  5. Aug 24, 2007 #4
    stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

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    An eight bag Kenworth will lean, alot. If the bushings on the bottom sway bars are worn it will lean worse.

    You could put a Reyco 4 spring suspension on and stop the lean, but create a rough ride.

    Another solution would be to isolate the left and right air bags from each other.

    Hook the lines for each right air bag together in series, and then run them to a quick response air ride valve. International used these valves in the 90's and maybe today. The Kenworth valve is dampened and will not allow air to enter or escape immediately. At least the 90's KW's valves did.

    Mount the air valve as close to the outside of the right axle as possible, so that any movement from the right side of the axle will be picked up quickly.

    Do the same for the left side. Now hook the supply lines for both valves to a Tee from your main air bag supply.

    Now the left and right side bags are independent of each other. If the truck starts to lean to the right, the right bags will pump up while the left bags will release air. This will level the truck up.

    You will notice a big difference in stability. A few dump trucks around here have that setup, and it works well.

    I used to drive a 1978 Freightliner conventional pulling a gas tanker that had that setup on it. It had air gauges for each side so you could tell what was going on.

    That truck was more stable in the curves and two lane roads that the two other trucks we had with spring suspension.

    As I entered a curve I could watch one presure gauge increase while the other went down in pressure.
     
    stranger, Aug 24, 2007
    stranger, Aug 24, 2007
    #4
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