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Why to Incorporate Independent Suspensions in ARFF Vehicle Design

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A vehicle’s suspension may often be overlooked or undervalued by the typical car shopper. But to those in the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) industry, the suspension of a firefighting vehicle is a critical component that should be closely evaluated based on a fire department’s needs. The patented Oshkosh® TAK-4® independent suspension is engineered as a standard feature on the Oshkosh Striker® ARFF. This technology increases the mobility of vehicles and ensures payload capacities of the Striker ARFF vehicle. TAK-4 independent suspension uses springs and independent control arms that contribute to improved handling and performance. Increased ride quality reduces stress on other components of the vehicle and makes equal use of each axle. Before we explain more about the benefits of TAK-4 independent suspension, let’s review what makes up an ARFF vehicle suspension system.

What is independent suspension?

TAK4_PhotoIndependent suspension is a type of suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of the others, allowing for a smoother ride. While there are other types of suspension systems including leaf spring, rubber block, and air rides, independent suspension is the most common in ARFF vehicles because they are typically operated in areas where variations in terrain is an obstacle.

A common navigation challenge of ARFF vehicles is bump steer, which can occur when your vehicle does not have an independent suspension, causing the wheels to react to road conditions adversely, impacting steering. When one wheel hits a pothole, the other wheel reacts in a way that causes the steering angle to change. This presents a safety hazard, particularly when human instinct is to over correct. Worrying about how your vehicle might react to terrain causes emergency responders to slow down; ultimately increasing the amount of time it takes to respond to an incident. 

Oshkosh vehicles equipped with TAK-4 independent suspension inherently will not experience bump steer meaning the driver does not feel any motion from the suspension moving in the steering wheel, allowing them to concentrate on the response at hand.

Why is independent suspension a key factor in ARFF vehicle design?

With independent suspension, each wheel has its own shock absorber and spring, allowing each wheel to react to the unique road condition that wheel encounters.

Not only is an independent suspension safer and faster, but it also allows for a larger range of movement, which improves maneuverability.

Developed by Oshkosh, TAK-4 independent suspension has evolved into the gold standard of mobility for heavy-duty vehicles, equipment, and fire apparatus. It enhances vehicle mobility, off road speed, load carrying capacity, and ride quality while controlling life cycle costs.

Watch here to see how Oshkosh Airport Product’s TAK-4 independent suspension eliminates bump steer and increases safety when operating on challenging terrains.

What are the unique attributes of the TAK-4 Independent Suspension?

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ARFF Vehicle Versatility

No matter the length or weight of your ARFF vehicle, TAK-4 independent suspension will be capable of carrying the load. TAK-4 independent suspension is a universal technology that works on lightweight and heavyweight vehicles. The suspension is scalable to vehicles of different sizes while maintaining the same function and reliability. Suspensions are rated up to 31,000 pounds. for the Striker ARFF. Each axle on the Striker ARFF has different payload capacities that must be met, and TAK-4 suspension makes this possible while reducing strain on the vehicle. Additionally, the 6x6 Striker ARFF vehicle comes with optional mechanical rear steer on the third axle.

ARFF Vehicle Braking

Acceleration is key for ARFF vehicles, but braking capability is just as important. TAK-4 independent suspension also improves braking performance and shortens stopping distances on the Striker ARFF when compared to Striker ARFF’s not equipped with this suspension. Starting and stopping effectively with no delays are two key performance characteristics for success in fighting fires. The Striker ARFF is equipped with either FMVSS 121 or ECE R13 certified brakes and comes with both disc and drum brake options.

TAK-4 Independent Suspension Offers a Unique Combination of ARFF Truck Features and Proven Performance

The TAK-4 independent suspension enhances vehicle mobility with improved driver feedback, high wheel articulation rates, and roll characteristics designed for the ARFF application. These characteristics aid the ARFF vehicle operator in navigating to and around a scene, both on and off road. Striker ARFF vehicles equipped with TAK-4 independent suspension have reduced stress on the axle and, therefore, increased mobility, which helps the vehicle exceed the NATO Lane Change Test. This tests the dynamic stability of the truck through motion changes as the vehicle drives in a straight line while avoiding obstacles. Learn more about ARFF vehicle testing here.

TAK-4 independent suspension is a state-of-the-art technology available on all Oshkosh Striker ARFF products. To learn more about this innovative technology, please contact us today.

Topics: independent suspension

View the ARFF Vehicle Reference Guide

About Oshkosh Airport Products

Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), is a designer and builder of industry-leading airport firefighting vehicles. Its flagship Striker® Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles are known for their durability and superior performance and sold throughout the world. For more information, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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