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The competition in the axle and suspension market has become increasingly fierce over the past year or two, forcing suppliers to be more resourceful than ever to retain market share. If you believe Fuwa K-Hitch, though, remaining relevant is a straightforward process.

With the Australian Government desperately trying to find the right recipe for sustainable growth, standing still can prove ruinous for the many small and medium sized enterprises in the country – especially those supplying the already-fluctuating commercial road transport industry.

The axle and suspension market is a case in point. With mining investment waning and the freight task shifting to construction and container movement, it has to re-orientate itself and quickly seize the next growth opportunity to avoid being crippled by the loss of momentum in the heavy-duty market.

But to execute such a change of direction can be a balancing act – especially since there is more than one future growth strategy currently at issue. According to Chris Barrett, National Sales Manager at Fuwa K-Hitch, the only way to navigate such a situation is to be mindful and not make a rushed decision.

“There is no reason to abandon ship and rush headlong into the future,” he says. “Mining investment is waning but that doesn’t mean you can just move on. At Fuwa K-Hitch, we will continue to service the heavy-duty sector like we did when it was at the highest high, because we know that’s what we owe our faithful clientele.”

Chris explains that he and his team can draw on a vast range of mechanical suspensions – ranging from 11 tonne through to 20 tonne and available in both cast and fabricated – as well as the matching axles to make sure they have the best equipment available to suit every application in the heavy-duty segment of the market.

“Mechanical suspensions are still common in heavy-duty off-road work, where they have to endure extreme loading and harsh conditions with dust, mud and debris. That’s why our design here is a bit more traditional and uncomplicated so it can better suit the extreme environment and can be repaired by almost any basic workshop. In some cases, there’s also a certain degree of parts interchangeability to make our gear nice and easy to use, wherever you are. We are extremely proud of having developed such a strong portfolio and will continue to promote and develop it.”

With his commitment to the heavy-duty market unaffected, Chris says flexibility is more important at the moment than frantically trying to change course. “What you need is a flexible product portfolio and a deep understanding of the Australian marketplace in all its facets, from mining through to produce haulage,” he explains. “But of course there’s a technical element to it too. You have to have access to a complete range of suspensions and axles to be able to spread the net in a time like today – and luckily, Fuwa K-Hitch has just that.”

With everyone in the axle and suspension market hustling to find new business, Chris says only those with the right portfolio will be able to succeed. “But that’s still no guarantee,” he adds. “The second step is to spec the correct gear for the job – and that’s the skill that will make all the difference going forward.”

According to Chris, Fuwa K-Hitch has accumulated the same expertise that made it famous in the mining industry for the on-road market, where air suspensions are now the norm. “Air suspensions are light in tare weight and relatively easy to service and maintain, but they offer additional features and benefits over mechanical alternatives, such as raise/lower functions, dump valves and axle lifts,” he says.

“Combined with better ride and stability characteristics and cohesion with brake and stability enhancements such as ABS and EBS control systems, air suspension systems can make for a real advantage on the highway and sometimes even off the road. That’s why our 2015-16 product catalogue includes air suspensions rated at nine, 11 and 13 tonnes and with varying ride heights to handle any possible freight task.” 

Chris says there is no ‘one size fits all’ scenario in Australian trucking anymore, which is why range and know-how are equally important for a modern supplier to survive and thrive. “Environment and application, centre of gravity requirements or constraints, as well as speed and loading considerations are all important – but you need to be able to ask the right questions to find the right solution,” he explains.

“All of this information is available from Fuwa K-Hitch, who can also advise transport businesses of any limitations or warranty considerations that need to be taken into account prior to deciding what type of suspension and axle packages suit them.”

With the Australian economy entering a historic transition phase and the axle and suspension market under added pressure, Chris says customers should be “very mindful” and ensure that they are aware of service scheduling, special tooling requirements, parts listings and spare parts availability when spec’ing a new commercial vehicle.

“The competition is tough and a lot of promises are being made out there, but it will always come down to range and know-how – if you think about it, it’s actually pretty straightforward. That’s also why we think we are well prepared going into the new Financial Year – we’re flexible enough to react quickly but we are also committed to our existing clientele, which I believe will pay off in the long-term.”

Even though Australia’s heavy transport community is eagerly working toward a ‘zero incident’ goal, there is a certain residual risk stemming from the industry’s very DNA – a truck is constantly exposed to the forces of nature and has to interact with the general public whenever it is not being loaded or in the workshop. And even then, the probability of human error is too high to ignore. As a result, risk reduction is top of mind for many in the industry – especially for those providing safety-critical equipment.

To tackle the issue head-on, Fuwa K-Hitch has come up with a range of dedicated bulletins that are meant to raise awareness for safety-critical processes – from initial installation all the way through to the obligatory pre-drive check. “We do everything we can to rule out issues from the outset,” says Chris Barrett, National Sales Manager at Fuwa K-Hitch and a passionate safety advocate. “We invest a lot into R&D to ensure every product we release to the market has been put to the acid test, and we make sure our production is always up to the latest technological standard. But we can’t predict human interference once the product has left the factory gate, so we try to provide as much advice and support as possible for those using it in the field.”

According to Chris, Fuwa K-Hitch has developed a sophisticated ‘feedback cycle’ where information from transport businesses is remitted back to the responsible engineering team in order to help the community as a whole learn from an individual’s mistake. “We really try to understand what’s happening out there so we can learn from it and prepare accordingly,” he says. “Sometimes the lesson is that we need to improve the product, but most often it’s more of a process issue than anything else.

“Take the kingpin. It’s a classic example of a ‘fit and forget’ item. People neglect that it is a critical link for connecting the trailer to the truck. As a result, kingpin service is a topic that’s rarely discussed in any workshop. Do you check it all? Do you use a gauge? It’s one of those things that tend to get overlooked, even though it can severely damage the turntable if it’s faulty.”

According to Chris, a quick visual check is easy to do and could save lives in the long run. “Just ask yourself, is the kingpin still squarely installed? Are there signs of damage? Are there signs of severe impact?,” he says. “It’s a common sense exercise, not rocket science.”

In the workshop, he says a NO-GO gauge should be used. “But don’t forget to check the gauge regularly, as it is a wearing item that will go out of tolerance too,” he adds. “Then check the bolts to ensure correct torque and you should be ready to go.”

Chris says the same procedure should be standard for turntable maintenance, as a faulty part can affect the kingpin and, eventually, the very connection between truck and trailer – a typical high-risk area. “Have a visual check first, it will help you gauge if you have to take action or not. Are all the fasteners in position? Are all the springs in position? Is the release handle straight and locked in? Is the turntable properly lubricated?”

Chris says that if there are any signs of a severe impact, for example, don’t take a risk. “Don’t take any issues lightly. Consulting the workshop is always the first step, and of course we at Fuwa K-Hitch are always here to help too. Safety always has to be the top priority, everything else has to get in line.”

Next to the connection between trailer and truck, Chris says landing leg operation is a second area where a general lack of attention and/ or awareness can lead to an increased safety risk. “Just like the coupling, the landing leg is a bit of an unsung hero and should get a little more attention,” he explains. “Although it is a vital part of each and every articulated vehicle, it’s still widely perceived as a commodity item.”

But, Chris says that image is now about to change, as companies from around the globe continue to invest in next generation technology that could see the landing leg transform from a simple reinforcement tool into a viable safety feature. Fuwa K-Hitch is leading the way with the eLeg, a fully automatic landing leg that will be on display at the Brisbane Truck Show and is now available for purchase. Designed in close co-operation with Razor International, it is said to positively affect Operational Health & Safety, maintenance, aerodynamics and idling time – even driver recruitment.

“What it does is taking a lot of the guesswork out of operating a landing leg. You push a button and the job is done, which means there’s effectively one less variable in the safety equation you need to take into account,” says Chris. “It’s just one example of how we’re trying to be proactive and make a real difference to commercial vehicle road safety in Australia.”

Fleet management and workshop staff, existing and future clients, operation and workshop managers, technicians, and training managers – all of us need to polish up our technical knowledge from time to time, or add to it by learning about a new product or technology.

At FUWA K-Hitch, we understand that technical training is a continual process of enhancing skills, capabilities and knowledge, and that it is crucial for organisational development and success.

To ensure you receive first-hand information that will make a real difference to your business, FUWA-K-Hitch set out to create a comprehensive library of truck and trailer training content – starting with a video guide on how to change a wheel bearing.

As an advocate of the use of online media in training and education, FUWA K-Hitch’s fundamental goal is not only to educate our industry, but also to inspire it to embrace the use of new media in today’s educational process.

Our brief, high quality videos therefore also showcase Fuwa K-Hitch’s leadership in the field of multi-media learning, while firmly establishing the brand as a leading name in axle technology.

Over the next 12 months, we will create a complete online training curriculum, utilising videos, graphics, animations, and interactions to keep the recipient engaged throughout the learning process..

I. Wheel bearing adjustment

In the age of just-in-time delivery and GPS tracking, downtime has become a luxury no transport business can afford. Therefore it is crucial to check the wheel bearing end float every 10,000 km and adjust it if required to avoid an unpleasant surprise out in the field.