THE SYSTEMS APPROACH
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• Reinhard Buhl, who runs ZF's CV Axle Systems division, is convinced that, while vehicle manufacturers want comfort, road-friendliness and weight reduction, what they want most is a "systems approach" from their suppliers.
Firms including ZF do not just make components any more; they are increasingly responsible for the engineering, testing, project management, logistics and assembly of systems, such as axles, steering and suspension.
ZF can even take responsibility for innovation: Bub estimates that ZF's sales of axles and suspensions could increase tenfold, which is why the firm is developing innovative designs without being prompted by the chassis manufacturers.
One of ZF's new proprietary systems, which will be displayed The A132 11.5-tonne rear axle system for coaches. at the IAA Show, is called ADM (Advanced Driveline Management). It controls the locking differentials of axtes and transfer boxes, automatically and electronically, determining the best comb nation of diff-locks for the traction.
We tried it in an lveco 4x4 Eurotrakker, with the 350hp Cursor 8 engine and a 12-speed AS-Tronio box. ADM made a laden restart on a 25% (1-in-4) gravel slope as easy as could be, while the fully automatic box and Intarder made off-road driving rather relaxing.
Perhaps the best aspect of ADM is that it disengages the dtff-locks when they are not needed, avoiding damage to the driveline. The system has already been fitted to military and firefighting vehicles,