Air Suspension upgrade for New Holland tractors.

[Colliedog]

I have always found the ride in my T6.160 to be very comfortable. However I also like an engineering project from time to time and having experienced air suspension on a new Fendt it got my mind working to see if it is possible to retrofit air suspension to a New Holland cab?

The answer is yes! If your mechanically minded its quite an easy project. It costs very little in parts and the results are very impressive.

The standard damper fitted is made by Monroe who list specs and dimensions in there catalogue, they also make air dampers for trucks. The air damper for an HGV is almost exactly the same dimensions as that of the New Holland cab damper as fitted to the Horizon cab, with one exception that the lower hole is 20mm as opposed to 14mm this is easily rectified with a spacer 20mm od 14mm id and 44mm in length (I found these on ebay).

When fitted with the spacers they bolted straight on. The actual air sleeve is slightly larger in diameter than the coil spring and on my T6 it just touches front suspension valve chest and although it doesn't rub its something I shall have to monitor over time.

The next thing is to regulate the air going into the air bags and for this I used a Wabco cabin levelling valve. I then fabricated a linkage using M5 ball joint ends between the cab and the chassis. I then tee'd into the air brakes supply and using 6mm air line and M10 x1mm push fittings I connected it all up.

Finally I adjusted the levelling valve linkage to give a ride Hight to the top of the bump stops of around 40mm and the job was done!

I wouldn't say it rides as well as the 4 point air system on the Fendts but its not far off. So I thought I would share my information on here so others can benefit as well.

Obviously this is all untested and unreached Diy but it would be good to hear of others experience of it.

Please make sure you check and measure for particular tractors before purchasing any parts.

 

[Colliedog]

 

[cosmagedon]

Looks brilliant [emoji106] There used to be someone on the continent making a similar kit, I saw it on Mascus and have had a few of the parts in my eBay watch list ever since, I just never knew what air bags to use!

 

[robinsjanis]

Sorry, if I missed reading all post, but where do you get the air from? Tractor must have air brakes amd compressor or the system has its own air pump?

 

[Colliedog]

Sorry, if I missed reading all post, but where do you get the air from? Tractor must have air brakes amd compressor or the system has its own air pump?

Yes unfortunately it has to be a tractor equipped with air brakes to tee into although there are small compressor kits around for air suspension if you haven't got air.

 

[Colliedog]

Looks brilliant [emoji106] There used to be someone on the continent making a similar kit, I saw it on Mascus and have had a few of the parts in my eBay watch list ever since, I just never knew what air bags to use!

You can have a go now!

 

[Wreckit Ralf]

Only £350 in parts for a big upgrade in comfort? Yet New Holland have insisted on sticking with their awful, dated suspension for years.

 

[Chae1]

Only £350 in parts for a big upgrade in comfort? Yet New Holland have insisted on sticking with their awful, dated suspension for years.

It isn't very good, but it doesn't break like the MF and JD cab suspension we've had on other tractors.

How many threads have there been on tff about cnh cab suspension? Probably because it doesn't move much.

 

[Nearly]

Looks good.
Now put the springs you took off onto an 8340 and you're hired.

 

[Colliedog]

Only £350 in parts for a big upgrade in comfort? Yet New Holland have insisted on sticking with their awful, dated suspension for years.

Air suspension takes maintenance. Coils are very reliable. It’s a shame it was never offered as an option but even more frustrating I didn’t work it out 10 years ago.

 

[Flat 10]

Well done @Colliedog looks the business. Perhaps should be in workshop inventions section. Very impressed and if I had a suitable NH I would be buying the stuff right now!

 

[boon]

Looks great ?

 

[davedb]

I wounder if it would work with MFs air suspension if you replaced the airbags and shocks with them all in one units like you’ve done with a ride control valve to keep the cab at the right hight would surly give a better ride than the current system which just pumps up to a set pressure?

 

[Colliedog]

I wounder if it would work with MFs air suspension if you replaced the airbags and shocks with them all in one units like you’ve done with a ride control valve to keep the cab at the right hight would surly give a better ride than the current system which just pumps up to a set pressure?

I wouldn't like to say. Firstly you would have find an air sleeve shock to fit. My first plan was to just use an adjustable air pressure regulator to raise the dampers to the correct height. Then I settled on a level valve as this will maintain the ride height regardless of on board weight. But mostly as they are under varying loads (due to weight transfer) travelling up and down hills therefore maintaining the correct ride and working height. I don't know what difference a set pressure would have made to my set up.
If you like a project you could have a go at trying to improve it. But if you already have air suspension don't forget MF would have already spent a lot of time and money developing it.

 

[michael N123]

It isn't very good, but it doesn't break like the MF and JD cab suspension we've had on other tractors.

How many threads have there been on tff about cnh cab suspension? Probably because it doesn't move much.

Had a few mounting bolts break on a T6

 

[Wreckit Ralf]

It isn't very good, but it doesn't break like the MF and JD cab suspension we've had on other tractors.

How many threads have there been on tff about cnh cab suspension? Probably because it doesn't move much.

Just because it " doesn't break " doesn't mean it's good. The ride comfort of a New Holland compared to their rivals is dreadful.
Claas has, by far, the best cab suspension on the market - excellent comfort levels, simple design and zero maintenance needed, never hear of complaints from owners about their suspension.

 

[Spear]

Just because it " doesn't break " doesn't mean it's good. The ride comfort of a New Holland compared to their rivals is dreadful.
Claas has, by far, the best cab suspension on the market - excellent comfort levels, simple design and zero maintenance needed, never hear of complaints from owners about their suspension.

Can’t comment on newer models but chap used to own one near here had numerous problems with the cab suspension.
Worst case the cab basically became detached from the tractor.

 

[335d]

Just a thought, which you may have already considered. If an airbag or hose bursts, will you loose all the air to your brake system?

 

[Chae1]

Just because it " doesn't break " doesn't mean it's good. The ride comfort of a New Holland compared to their rivals is dreadful.
Claas has, by far, the best cab suspension on the market - excellent comfort levels, simple design and zero maintenance needed, never hear of complaints from owners about their suspension.

Did you read the first 4 words of what you quoted?

I know what decent cab suspensions like, my other tractors a fastrac.

 

[Colliedog]

Just a thought, which you may have already considered. If an airbag or hose bursts, will you loose all the air to your brake system?

Yes you do! and the suspension will be on the bump stops. I guess you could fit a tap or valve at the air take off to get over this. I'm not sure how this works in the hgv world if an air bag goes.