Nothing causes fear like when your brakes don’t respond. This fear is multiplied when you’re sitting in the seat of heavy equipment.

Crane operators, truck drivers, and all heavy-equipment technicians know the gravity of their work. One malfunctioning part spells disaster and puts lives at risk.

Brakes matter. The hydraulic disc brake has distinct advantages over its mechanical competitor. Keep reading to learn about why hydraulic disc brakes win the race of stopping. 

Proven Brakes

Hydraulic brakes have a proven record. They’ve existed since 1918 when Malcolm Loughead proposed the idea of a brake system that used hydraulics. By the 1930s, all car manufacturers had adopted some form of hydraulic brakes. 

In the late 40s and early 50s, when cars became too heavy for hydraulic brakes, Chrysler integrated disc brakes with hydraulics. 

Some vehicles began installing drum brakes and hydraulic brakes, using drum brakes as a backup when the hydraulics failed. However, hydraulics have proven themselves to the point that few vehicles have a combination system today. 

The heavy equipment industry has especially capitalized on hydraulic brakes. Industrial equipment uses hydraulic disc brakes because of their proven record. 

Reliable Performance

Modern safety testing has proven the safety and reliability of hydraulic disc brakes. You can trust them. The fact that they’re used widely in heavy equipment also proves their reliability. 

Efficient and Economical Parts

Hydraulic disc brakes make you come to a complete stop more quickly. They work quickly and efficiently. 

Plus, hydraulic disc brakes are more efficient. They take up less space than a drum brake and cost less.  

Longevity

Hydraulic disc brakes last longer than mechanical brakes because of how they work. Disk brakes dissipate heat thoroughly and distribute heat evenly. This even distribution results in less wear and tear overall.

So when it’s time to start looking for equipment like an electrohydraulic disc thruster and actuator, you’ve already put your hydraulic disk brakes through the mill. They last a long time. 

Ease of Repair

You can repair hydraulic disc brakes more easily because the parts are more readily available. Because you find hydraulic disc brakes in most heavy equipment, you can find the parts necessary for repair without much trouble.

Also, you can diagnose the problem quickly. When the brake system has sustained damage, you’ll know because you’ll see brake fluid. Otherwise, when a hydraulic brake system is functioning properly, the brakes are sealed. 

A skilled mechanic will know how to adjust hydraulic disc brakes easily, making the repair simple. 

Your research may lead you to wonder if there’s a difference between disk vs. disc. There isn’t.

From a functional standpoint, there’s no difference between the terms “disc” and “disk.” These two words refer to the same part, but with a different letter. 

Hydraulic Disc Brakes for the Win

Hydraulic brakes are worth the money. They have a proven record of reliability, not to mention efficiency. Just about any skilled mechanic can fix them, and you can diagnose problems easily.

If you’re looking for hydraulic disc brake parts, we’re here for you. We have the parts you may need to get your heavy equipment back up and running. For all of your industrial hydraulic disc brake needs, contact us. 

The massive inner workings of your industrial equipment have a long list of essential details. One misalignment or misunderstanding, and it can send the entire line of machinery to a damaging halt.

To ensure that your machines run with perfect smoothness, you need to understand the proper use of your industrial clutches and brakes. This means delving into the standard modes of engagement.

Let’s dig a bit deeper and see what these common modes are and what they can mean. 

The Common Modes for Engagement for Clutches and Brakes

There are four major modes of engagement for any clutch or brake system. Each of these provides a different mechanism shifting or stopping your machinery and various forms of maintenance and compatibility.

The four major modes of engagement are mechanical, electrical, fluidic, and self-actuation.

1. Mechanical

Mechanical modes of engagement often work with a level or other simple mechanism to trigger engagement and disengagement. This mechanism will squeeze friction discs to provide torque transmission. 

A lock mechanism is often common for this mode, often in a simple mechanical lock to the level itself. Engaging or disengaging the lock can restart the engagement mode. 

Mechanical modes often carry the most wear and tear due to heavy physical connection points. 

2. Electrical

Electrical modes of engagement often center around an electromagnet. This provides the needed power around an armature to either move it from a friction disc or to provide a similar squeezing motion to the mechanical mode.

Electrical modes of engagement often last for a long while and can even have built-in adjustment mechanisms to keep the mode accurate. 

3. Fluidic

Fluidic modes of engagement use transmission fluid as a boundary layer. This fluid acts as a protective barrier between the friction discs and drive plates as they come together. This fluid can then transmit torque between the discs and the plates.

For rapid shifts in applications, such as going from start to stop or switching from full speed to reverse, fluidic modes of engagement are some of the most efficient available. 

Oil-shear technology is one of the most common of fluidic applications. While it can produce a large amount of heat even when in neutral, heat dissipates as the fluid circulates back into the housing.  

4. Self-Actuation

The self-actuation brake mode is an entire system of connections and balances that help provide a smooth and automatic braking system for any significant machinery. 

The system works with a band that centers around a brake drum. This band then ties its free ends to the braking mechanisms themselves, often a pair of levers set on either side on a particular axis. As one lever shifts to engage the discs and plates of the machinery, the other takes on the tension to provide a balance. 

This back and forth shift can provide a stable and reversible brake flow without the strain of a basic mechanical brake function. 

Mastering the Modes of Engagement and Beyond

Getting the most out of your clutches and brakes starts with a better understanding of what each clutch and brake can do. From there, it is all about the right parts and pieces to keep your industry running.

For those parts and pieces, there are few more trusted in the industry than us here at Kor-Pak. Contact us today for more information!

Recent research suggests heavy equipment accidents have caused over 400 deaths per year. One device that could have prevented a number of deaths is a reliable brake system. So, how can you choose the best brakes and clutches for your industrial equipment?   

Don’t worry; with this guide, you can find out! From discovering the differences between the clutch and the brake to choosing the best products for you, you find out the answers to your most asked questions.

Now, are you ready to get started? Here’s an in-depth look at a few industrial clutch and brake questions: 

What Is the Difference Between a Clutch and Brake? 

While a brake and a clutch might seem interchangeable; however, they have two different jobs. A clutch is a control and transmission mechanism that allows energy to transfer from the driver to the driving shaft. However, a brake, on the other hand, is a control mechanism that manages the movement and holds a heavy object in a stopped position by altering kinetic energy into heat. 

How Should I Choose a Brake or a Clutch? 

Choosing between different brakes and clutches can be challenging; however, you want to pay close attention to how much heat each mechanism absorbs as well as how much it transfers. It can provide you with speedy braking and other optimal services.  

Another consideration you should closely look into is what kind of maintenance it will need. Some devices are cheap upfront but have maintenance costs that make it expensive down the line. Thus, make sure you’re purchasing a product made of quality materials and won’t cost you hundreds in maintenance costs in the future.  

Other elements to consider are: 

• Service Availability 
• Speed 
• Type of Action Required 
• Torque 
• Environmental Circumstances

What Is the Best Brake or Clutch for My Application? 

Generally, there are four methods of application, including mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic. Over the years, electric brakes have become a popular choice since they provide precise braking power and overall great safety methods. In fact, electric brakes have been estimated to be one of the largest categories for industrial brakes supplying over 30% in 2017. 

However, you will next have to decide whether you would like a power-off or power-on brake or clutch. Each is different, but they both have their drawbacks and advantages; it just depends on what you’re looking for in a brake and a clutch. First off, a power-off unit is generally applied by a spring force. Whereas in a power-on system, when you administer the air or electricity, the brake or clutch engages. 

Furthermore, there are numerous types of brakes as well as clutches you can choose from. For instance, you can choose between a drum, disc, or even a caliper brake and clutch. 

Purchase a Clutch or Brake Today 

Selecting a brake and even a clutch can be a difficult choice. However, if you keep in mind the difference between the two and consider precisely what you want, you’ll find what you’re looking for in no time. 

Just don’t forget to look at the different types before deciding. You might find one that is better suited for the application you want. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the clutch and brake, contact us today. We look forward to helping you. 

If you take a good look at the business world around you, you’ll see that the demand for automation is climbing in many sectors. And the global industrial brakes market is one of them.

The truth is, because of automation, the global industrial brakes market is expected to grow. The question is, how exactly will this growth look, and what does it mean for you?

Here’s a rundown on all of the future predictions for braking systems in 2020 and beyond.

Let’s jump in!

The Future of Global Industrial Braking Systems

The global market for industrial braking systems should witness steady growth due to the increased adoption of automation and, as a result, industrial robotics.

This growth will primarily be visible in Asia-Pacific, which is the biggest market for industrial brakes. However, North America and Europe will also witness significant growth in this market due to growing first-rate technology systems.

When it comes to the type of brake that will be most popular, the electrically applied brake will likely be the brake market’s biggest category. Likewise, the holding brake will probably be most in demand based on application.

Additional Considerations

With technology evolving today, braking systems can easily be integrated with IoT or the Internet of Things. 

With IoT, you can automatically apply your brakes during emergencies. Also, you can fit industrial brakes with high-quality proximity sensors, then place them in each industrial work station.

These braking systems will be in demand in various industrial areas, including the following:

• Shipping
• Mining
• Energy
• Material handling
• Escalators 
• Lifts

The end-user industries of power generation, coal handling, steel, and oil and gas are also expected to create significant growth opportunities in this market.

Furthermore, the increased adoption of innovative and new products is augmenting the market. These products include, for example, advanced material rotors and brake shoes. They also include backstopping clutches. 

The benefit of these well-designed automatic brakes is that they can keep your equipment users safe.

How We Can Help

Amid the rise of automation, we offer top-tier industrial brakes and clutches for today’s heavy equipment users.

Our clutches and brakes come in a wide variety of styles, torques, and sizes, and they are made for various applications. However, we can additionally design custom clutches ad brakes.

We are also proud to offer application and design engineering services. Also, we have a large aftermarket and service segment that can help you with reconditioning your equipment and sourcing competitively priced aftermarket parts.

No matter your need, we can meet it thanks to our high-quality products combined with our hands-on and customer-focused approach. You can rest assured that you will continuously receive the attention and support you need from us for your braking systems.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can keep your valuable equipment operating at its optimum in the months and years ahead.

Did you know that heavy equipment crashes have caused over 404 deaths per year? One thing that could have prevented so many deaths is reliable brakes. So what are the best types of brakes? Is it a dry or wet braking system? 

Don’t worry, with this guide; you can find out! From understanding how wet brakes work to how they’re efficient, you can learn the ins and outs of the wet braking system. 

Now, are you ready to dive in? Here’s an in-depth look into the wet braking system:  

What Are Wet Brakes? 

Wet brakes are used less than dry brakes. After all, dry brakes are inexpensive and are much easier to replace. 

Dry brakes are typically used on personal trucks, trailers, and even cars. Since dry brakes are a popular choice for personal vehicles, most people don’t know about the wet braking system and its many advantages. 

Another name for a wet brake is oil-cooled discs since oil is put on to the system to maintain it’s low temperature. Unlike other brakes, it’s arranged internally right into the differential gears. That way, water will not affect the brake’s abilities. 

In fact, you don’t have to worry during extreme weather conditions; this brake is reliable and trustworthy. 

How Do They Work?  

A wet brake has numerous discs that allow it to have strong stopping power. Thus, wet brakes are optimal for machines that carry heavy loads such as cranes and other industrial equipment. 

In fact, since wet brakes are lubricated continuously, they wear more slowly and even use the fluid to prevent brakes from overheating. Whereas dry brakes use a one drum system, meaning the brakes have to heat up when it’s put under pressure. However, by doing so, it causes unnecessary strain on the entire braking system making it susceptible to overheating and perhaps even brake failure.  

Therefore, wet brakes are the optimal choice for industrial equipment. After all, if a company loss $50,000 from employee injuries or machine damage due to dry brakes, the company still needs to make a 3% profit of $1,667,000 in additional services. Overall, the wet braking system has more accurate braking power, which allows it to be a safer alternative. 

Dry Brakes Vs. A Wet Braking System 

It’s true; dry brakes are more cost-efficient. They can also be fixed relatively easily; in fact, some people can adjust the brakes on their own. However, dry brakes require a lot of maintenance and thus can cost more money over time. 

Although, with a wet braking system, it’s easy to maintain; however, it’s more costly to purchase upfront. But with a wet braking system, it can withstand many harsh weather conditions and carry a large load.

For instance, you can stop your vehicle on a wet road, and it will work at optimal speed. Thus, wet brakes are a reliable and safe braking option that provides long-lasting results.  

Purchase a Wet Braking System Today 

Choosing the type of brakes you want can be a difficult choice. However, while wet brakes will typically be more costly, you won’t experience maintenance costs down the line. Not to mention, since it has multiple discs, it works more effectively to break when carrying a heavier load. 

You can even drive through harsh weather conditions, and it will work effortlessly. Thus, making it one of the safest and most reliable brakes on the market. 

If you want to learn more about a wet braking system, contact us today. We look forward to helping you.