The Importance of Specialized Off-Road Vehicle Brake Manufacturing

Every off-road vehicle — from riding lawn mowers to wheel loaders and everything in between — is more complex today than it was in years past. Advancements in mechanics and intricate built-in technologies put high demands on every individual component.

Let’s focus on the brakes. When considering this critical subsystem, partnering with experts who specialize in it results in a superior performance than what you’d find going it alone or buying from a general parts provider.

Specialization:

• Streamlines development and production
• Enables greater innovation
• Controls costs
• Adds value 

Here’s how.

Streamlines Development & Production

Companies that specialize in brakes have perfected their craft. They’re so deeply ingrained in their discipline that they deliver targeted experience, insights, and knowledge on every project.

Do you have that same knowledge in-house? If not, does anyone on your team have time to learn it? Can your project wait that long?

Once you look outside your walls for collaboration, ask yourself if you’d receive the same level of service from a general parts provider compared to a brake specialist. 

For example, will a general parts provider know which spring-applied hydraulic release brake best suits a 10-ton dump truck? With a team of brake specialists, “the buck” isn’t passed from department to department while you wait for answers. 

Brake specialists not only have an existing supply of brake components for use across multiple vehicle platforms, but they can also create customized braking systems to fit your exact specifications. It’s a win-win scenario.

Enables Greater Innovation

Businesses that specialize in manufacturing brakes have seen it all. That’s why they know where improvements are needed and where to push ideas in new directions. Knowing the ins and outs of braking systems allows for challenging boundaries, taking chances, and asking “What if we try this?” which leads to innovations that revolutionize industries.

Which parameters can be expanded? Heat dissipation? Contaminant resistance? Stopping distance? Brake makers spend all day innovating and problem-solving, creating tangible solutions that are tested and implemented.

Specialists are leaders, not followers.

Controls Costs

Time is money, and with a specialist in charge of the brakes, you have a better chance of staying within your budget.

Brake specialists have already done the necessary research and development, saving you the cost. They may already have the parts you need at scale, saving you from making them yourself or finding them from another parts supplier. If you need complete customization, such as increased clamp force or fully enclosed actuators, the brake specialists already have the necessary expertise and equipment on hand.

Specialty facilities have a low-cost, optimized infrastructure in place after years of honing the process, helping to reduce your manufacturing overhead. All in all, brake specialists eliminate redundancies, which lowers costs without hurting quality.

Adds Value

Creating brake systems in cooperation with certified brake specialists adds significant credibility to your products. This collaboration can back your vehicles with ISO 9001, ASE, APQP, and other confidence-boosting certifications.

And when specialists do the heavy lifting for your brakes, that frees up your team to work on other development areas, which makes for a finer-tuned finished product.

You can use any money you save in ways that benefit your business in the long run. Maybe it’s investing in new equipment or hiring more employees. You could even pass some of the savings to your customers, who will appreciate top quality at a competitive price — and they’ll spread the word.

Learn More: 7 Reasons for Brake Failure in Heavy Equipment and How to Avoid Them

Selecting the Right Specialists

Once you’ve decided to partner with a brake specialist, how do you select the right one for your project?

We’ve created a guide to help you ask the right questions and make sure you’re not settling for less than the best. Click the link below to access your free copy today.