Air Suspension upgrade for New Holland tractors.

[richtb175]

@Colliedog this is genius and so simple. I was looking at the airbags on a fendt 820 I had to drive this week and wondered if it is basically the same setup and assume the ride would now be as good as the old 820, if so that is far superior and would be a cheap mod at twice the price! Definitely my winter project!!

 

[davidroberts30]

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?

You can get a safety valve that doesn't let the air pressure in the main system drop below 4bar
I fitter 1 to my mf after I tapped into the air system for the cab

 

[Lincsman]

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.

The brakes come on and it stops as pressure drops until the leak is blocked off, and the same would apply to a tractor and trailer with air brakes.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

looks cracking, my mf has air suspension but one of the shockers is gone and there literally 250 each and ive had to put tyre seal in one of the bags,

if these fit i would just replace the shocks with them,

what is there std operating length?

wheres the fittinG to get air into it?

 

[Daniel]

Very smart, I assume you could do the same on a Maxxum 130 CVX given they are basically the same tractor?

 

[davidroberts30]

looks cracking, my mf has air suspension but one of the shockers is gone and there literally 250 each and ive had to put tyre seal in one of the bags,

if these fit i would just replace the shocks with them,

what is there std operating length?

wheres the fittinG to get air into it?

shockers from (I think) kramp are 162 each

 

[Half Pipe]

The brakes come on and it stops as pressure drops until the leak is blocked off, and the same would apply to a tractor and trailer with air brakes.

Looks smallish bore pipework compressor might cope if not using alot of air elsewhere and revs up, enough to get home or to safe place at least

 

[Colliedog]

@Colliedog this is genius and so simple. I was looking at the airbags on a fendt 820 I had to drive this week and wondered if it is basically the same setup and assume the ride would now be as good as the old 820, if so that is far superior and would be a cheap mod at twice the price! Definitely my winter project!!

Excellent! This is why I shared it. Please let us know how you get on and share some pictures.

 

[Colliedog]

Very smart, I assume you could do the same on a Maxxum 130 CVX given they are basically the same tractor?

Yes as far as I'm aware its all CNH tractors with the Horizon cab as well as the latest Magnums and T8's

 

[Colliedog]

looks cracking, my mf has air suspension but one of the shockers is gone and there literally 250 each and ive had to put tyre seal in one of the bags,

if these fit i would just replace the shocks with them,

what is there std operating length?

wheres the fittinG to get air into it?

There are literally dozens of air shocks out there for lorry cabs, the hard part is cross referencing it to your original. but if you already have MF's air suspension I would stick to the correct parts for it.

 

[jackp]

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.

well he will be in the minority if he can fault claas cab suspension

 

[Farmer_Joe]

shockers from (I think) kramp are 162 each

ordered one today, 110 plus vat, thanks for the head up !

 

[davidroberts30]

come down a bit then

 

[dynasix]

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.

I think the system you have built is amazing (well done)
Massey could do with you on their cab ride comfort team for sure.

 

[Colliedog]

I was just wondering if anyone had done this upgrade on a T6 or equivalent case model as there may be a Small modification to do. I have now completed around 500 hours since I fitted it all and in my first post I mentioned that the air bag touched the hydraulic valve chest and I was going to keep an eye on it. I took the air bag off this afternoon to check and the rubber has started to wear though so I’m going to have to modify the mounting bracket slightly. I will post a picture of the modification when I have done it. I’m not sure if it would affect a Swb T7 but the Lwb should be fine as there is loads of room around the shocks on them.

 

[Daniel]

I was only thinking about this this week. Got the rowcrops back on the maxxum and it is not comfortable on the road! How much improvement could I expect to see?

 

[Rob5150]

I was only thinking about this this week. Got the rowcrops back on the maxxum and it is not comfortable on the road! How much improvement could I expect to see?

For a cheap and cheerful solution, take your existing shocks off cut the bush off the cab end and weld in a 1”1/2 or 2” piece of steel ( I used some off cuts of 25mm solid bar) this increases the travel before the cab hits the bump stops and improves the ride quite a bit. I’m sure it’s not as smooth as air but it costs nothing other than a few hours of your time. I got the idea from @robbie (I think) in another thread.

 

[Colliedog]

I was only thinking about this this week. Got the rowcrops back on the maxxum and it is not comfortable on the road! How much improvement could I expect to see?

As a general rule Cab suspension improves the ride in the field and front suspension improves the ride on the road, although they both help in both areas. The air is better and well worth the money in my opinion. You will need to modify the mounting bracket for a maxxum though.

 

[Daniel]

As a general rule Cab suspension improves the ride in the field and front suspension improves the ride on the road, although they both help in both areas. The air is better and well worth the money in my opinion. You will need to modify the mounting bracket for a maxxum though.

The front suspension doesn't appear to ever move, despite having been recalibrated!

 

[Colliedog]

The front suspension doesn't appear to ever move, despite having been recalibrated!
[/https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/setting-suspension-accumulator-pressures-for-the-perfect-ride.313622/#post-6849565

Setting suspension accumulator pressures for the perfect ride.

*Whilst this post is based around the CNH Terraglide 1 system the principle is the same for all hydraulic suspensions and the discussion is open for various machines.* I have heard from many people that the latest Terraglide on the newer 4B tractors works very well but I think its fair to say...

thefarmingforum.co.uk