Rockwell adjusters
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ROCKWELL automatic slack adjusters for cam expanded brakes are now available in Europe.
The slack adjusters are being manufactured at Rockwell Bremsen's Alzenau plant in West Germany and are being offered to vehicle manufacturers for original equipment and to fleet operators as retro-fit equipment through Rockwell International and Rubery Owen-Rockwell dealers.
Rockwell is aiming to win in the next four years about 30 per cent of the European market for automatic slack adjusters, which at present is dominated by SAB, the Swedish manufacturer, with a market share of around 75 per cent.
SAB has recently opened a factory in the USA where the Rockwell product has been available for five years and is the clear market leader with a share of between 60 and 70 per cent.
Rockwell's European marketing drive is partly in response to SAB's move but mainly has been prompted by the expected imminent EEC legislation which will make automatic brake adjustment on new trailers mandatory in 1985.
Roger Harrison, Rockwell's marketing and business planning manager forecasts that by the late eighties 90 per cent of trailers in Europe and about 30 per cent of trucks will be fitted with automatic brake adjusters.
Rockwell's Stopmaster wedge brakes already have automatic adjustment. The Paymaster, as the new slack adjuster is called, is suitable for most cam brakes on steering, drive and trailer axles.
It is relatively simple in design and periodic maintenance or overhaul should not be beyond the capabilities of most workshops. The Paymaster senses lever movement and adjusts, if necessary, on the return stroke when there is no load on the worm and wheel.
Lubrication with a high temperature waterproof grease and checking of stroke is recommended at 25,000 mile intervals while removal of the pawl for examination is recommended at 50,000 miles.
The Paymaster's retrofit retail price is expected to be between £50 and £60.