The ongoing discussions to mandate engine braking, along with the BS-VI emission norms in 2020, has presented a fantastic opportunity for Jacobs Vehicle Systems to promote the advantages of its engine braking technology. “As companies ready their products for BS-VI, we are preparing to integrate some of our technologies into BS-VI engines. The Auto Expo Components show this year is the right platform for us to communicate our strengths to engine manufacturers and OEMs,” informed Mr. Steven N. Ernest, Vice President – Engineering and Business Development, Jacobs Vehicle Systems.
With better highways leading to the use of higher tonnage vehicles by the fleet operators, the requirement for a safer technology increases multi-fold. When probed on the same, Mr. Ernst added: “The compression release of the engine braking we have is largely for the high horse power engine (8 litres and above); some of the bleeder brakes will help, but not as well as the compression release brakes do. In order to accelerate our growth, we also have a company initiative to develop a manufacturing strategy that could enable us to roll out engine brakes from India by 2025.”
The company’s field test with Cummins ISB 5.9 engine has thrown up interesting results. The foundation brake liners that would have been changed after 30,000 km are going up to a whopping 1,00,000 km. However, apart from the economics, the brakes being able to slow down the truck without touching the foundation brake, is a big benefit. “The whole benefit will translate into faster turnaround time and productivity improvement, with less money spent on servicing brakes,” explained Mr. Vinod Ajankar, Business Development Manager in India, Jacobs Vehicle Systems.
Jacobs has been awarded an order to supply 3,000 engine that powers Tata Prima Truck, is supporting the Indian Military in the challenging terrain that they operate throughout the country.“1,500 of our high performance ISL E engine brakes have already been supplied to Tata Motors’ defence vehicles an.d the next 1,500 will be executed over the next 18 months,” stated Mr. Kunal Sharma, Business Manager, Jacobs Vehicle Systems.