Meritor Inc. announced the launch of its next-generation 79000 single-reduction drive axle for transit buses with a lifespan three times longer than previous offerings. It is available to OEMs in early 2018.
“Our new 79000 axle was specifically developed and validated for the North America transit bus duty cycle and exceeds expectations for extended product durability,” said Joe Muscedere, general manager, Off Highway, Specialty & Defense, North America. “By improving the carrier’s life, we’re highly confident the 79000 is the most robust single reduction drive axle for 35-foot to 60-foot bus applications.”
Meritor’s new axle is designed to help municipal transit fleets meet federal and industry durability guidelines. Axles for transit buses funded by Federal Transit Administration grant programs must meet the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) guideline for axle product lifetime of five years and 300,000 miles. By more than tripling the durability of the 79000 over other offerings on the market, fleets may only need to replace the axle’s carrier once instead of multiple times during the vehicle’s lifetime in this heavy stop-and-go segment.
The new 79000 axle is a direct replacement of Meritor’s 71000 axle, with the same packaging and suspension interfaces, wheel-ends brakes and wear components for seamless integration of the new axle into transit fleets, Muscedere said. The 79000 can be retrofitted easily into buses that already have a Meritor 71000 Series axle. Additionally, axle gear noise levels of the 79000 are equivalent to the 71000.
With the 79000’s robust design, he added, fleets can use higher-capacity retarders to extend the service life and replacement interval of wearable brake components, significantly reducing maintenance and replacement costs for transit authorities. Its robustness and durability can also be applied to all-electric powertrains featuring higher torques and rapid torque reversals.
Meritor incorporated OEM and end-user feedback into the development of the 79000 and custom-engineered every component in the carrier to exceed the requirements and expectations of the transit industry, Muscedere said. “The product meets or greatly exceeds APTA’s guidelines, depending on the specific application,” he added.
With a gross axle weight rating of 28,660 pounds, the 79000 features a one-piece cast iron housing with integral suspension pads and bolt-on torque rod brackets for extra strength and durability. The carrier design includes a bolted differential case and gear for easier and more efficient assembly and service.
Visit Meritor’s booth No. 3413 at the American Public Transportation Oct. 8-11 to see the 79000 Series axle.
