TRACTION AIDS
The ARB Air Locker has been internationally synonymous with traction since 1988, becoming the mainstay traction aid for 4WDers, dirt racers, rock crawlers and government agencies around the world. Delivering traction on demand at the flick of a dash mounted switch, ARB Air Lockers allow owners to drive at a slower and more controlled pace, even in the harshest terrain ARB remains focussed on evolving the Air Locker design, the latest examples featuring forged gears, timed gearing and two-piece design, as well as an industry leading fiveyear warranty. Forged gears, which deliver increased load carrying capacity and strength, are typically found in the most demanding applications, including heavy duty industrial, commercial, race car and agricultural transmissions. In the Air Locker, the phenomenal amount of force applied to the gears means that their strength, durability and fatigue resistance is paramount, and so forged gears have been implemented across the range. When combined with ARB’s patented ‘ timed gear’ design, the resulting strength of the whole assembly is amplified. Simply put, timing the gears ensures that no matter when the Air Locker is activated, the gear teeth will always ‘ lock’ into predetermined positions that offer the greatest surface area between the gear teeth.
Optimal locking strength
This ensures that optimal locking strength is achieved every time the Air Locker is activated. Housing this superior internal gear train in a two-piece case brings further benefits. Machining a case from two pieces instead of three results in a much higher dimensional accuracy of the finished assembly. Eliminating the smaller cylinder cap as a separate part and switching the air entry to the crown wheel side of the differential not only adds huge strength, but also allows ARB to refine the locking mechanism design, eliminate the need for an internal annular piston, and lock the side gear directly to a redesigned high strength flange cap. In addition, this also allows the locking ring to reside closer to the splined side gear, considerably reducing actuation and disengagement time. ARB’s Air Locker division, based in Melbourne, uses software programs like Solidworks, CAD and Cosmos in the development of all Air Lockers. The lengthy design process involves countless hours of testing using Finite Element Analysis ( FEA), which allows the engineers to subject each Air Locker design to ‘ virtual’ off-road driving simulations impossible to replicate in the real world. Prototypes are then fitted to 4WDs that operate in the harshest environments imaginable, including Outback NSW, the Flinders Ranges and Victorian High Country. Some prototypes are sent internationally to be put through their paces in extreme off road racing events like the iconic King of the Hammers in the Southern California desert. All ARB Air Lockers are manufactured in a world-class, aerospace-standard machine shop in Melbourne and are available for an extensive range of vehicle models, with over 100 applications. For more Information or Technical Support contact your nearest ARB Agent on 0800 ARB 4WD ( 272 493) or go to www.arb4x4.co.nz