Hendrickson Celebrates 100 Years of Walking Beam Suspension Technology
The global commercial vehicle supplier is marking a century of performance for its foundational equalizing beam concept used in severe-duty vocational fleets.
Hendrickson is marking the 100th anniversary of its patented walking beam suspension design, celebrating a century of performance built on an equalizing beam concept for severe-duty vocational fleets. Introduced in 1926, the walking beam architecture has remained in continuous use for a century wherever trucks must carry significant weight across uneven terrain.
The technology traces back to the original design developed by company founder Magnus Hendrickson. While the company has refined the concept across several modern configurations, the RT suspension remains closest to the original architecture. Newer iterations, such as the HAULMAAX EX and ULTIMAAX, apply elastomer and progressive spring technologies to support on- and off-highway applications ranging from refuse and concrete to mining and oil field work.
Engineering EvolutionHendrickson
Modern vocational vehicles require stability and off-road mobility while managing driver comfort and protecting sensitive electronic and hydraulic equipment from vibration. Hendrickson has evolved its walking beam-based suspensions by incorporating fabricated structures and higher strength steels to reduce weight and accommodate different beam lengths and vehicle configurations.
Spring technology has also advanced, with elastomer load springs and progressive designs tuned to deliver a smoother ride while preserving the stability demanded in severe-duty environments.
Practical Advantages for Vocational Fleets
Built around the equalizing beam, the suspension design provides several core benefits for vocational operations:
Traction and load equalization: Axles articulate across uneven terrain to help maintain tire contact and share loads between axles.
Ride and vibration control: Modern rubber and progressive springs screen out road inputs to protect the cab, body and mounted equipment.
Payload efficiency: Lighter fabricated components help increase payload in weight-sensitive applications like refuse, concrete and aggregate hauling.
Configurability: Different spring types and layouts are tailored to specific load capacities, terrain and maintenance priorities.
After a century, the walking beam serves as an engineering foundation that continues to be adapted to new materials, powertrain options and operating demands. As vocational trucks evolve, Hendrickson’s suspensions remain focused on matching the suspension to the specific work the vehicle performs.
About Hendrickson
Hendrickson, a Boler company, is a global manufacturer and supplier of medium- and heavy-duty mechanical, elastomeric and air suspensions; axle and brake systems; tire pressure control systems; and other components for the commercial transportation industry. Based in Woodridge, Ill., the company has served the industry for more than 100 years.
Hendrickson
Hendrickson
