Better braking – with Voith retarders for commercial vehicles
With Voith retarders, up to 90 percent of all braking actions can be performed without wear. This represents a significant increase in safety. Retarders protect the service brakes, thus reducing expenditures on spare parts and maintenance. At the same time, transport capabilities increase due to higher average speeds.
High brake performance is essential when it comes to stopping a bus that weighs several tons. Classic friction brakes can reach temperatures of up to 1000 degrees under demanding conditions such as adaptive braking on the highway or on long downslopes. This leads to a rapid reduction in braking efficiency. Voith retarders provide the solution: The permanent hydrodynamic endurance brake system ensures wear-free braking – and is always available, even during lengthy braking maneuvers. This protects the vehicle’s service brakes and ensures they are always available. It is no surprise that endurance brakes in buses and trucks are a legal requirement throughout Europe.
Voith retarders – the advantages at a glance
- Greater safety throughout the entire speed range ensured by high retarder brake performance and cold service brakes
- Downhill cruise control – using the v-constant function, the retarder maintains constant driving speed on downward slopes
- Lower operating costs – considerably longer periods without the use of service brakes results in fewer visits to the repair shop and lower maintenance costs
- Low weight – Voith retarders are light, allowing optimal use of load limits
- Higher transport capabilities – due to higher and more uniform average speeds
- Lower consumption – more uniform speeds and proactive driving behavior saves fuel
- Non-polluting – up to 80% lower emissions of brake dust
The Voith retarder portfolio – the right solution for every vehicle
Together with vehicle manufacturers we are developing customized retarder solutions.
Oil retarder
Using an oil supply that is independent of the transmission fluid, the oil in Voith’s oil retarders can tolerate the maximum permissible operating temperatures. The braking energy is transferred via the heat exchanger to the vehicle’s cooling circuit, where it is effectively dissipated.
Retarder 3250
The VR 3250 is a high-performance step-up gear retarder developed in partnership through close cooperation between Voith and Volvo. It has its own transmission-independent oil supply and is used by Volvo in tour and long-distance buses.
Technical data
Step-up ratio
i = 2,03
Max. rated brake torque
max. 3250 Nm
Maximum speed at the propshaft
2 500 rpm
Standard operation
5-stage hand-brake switch
stage 1 = automatic mode (downhill cruise control)
Operation medium
oil (see fuel specification Volvo)
Fill rate (oil change)
5,6 l
Control medium
compressed air
Unit weight incl. flange, heat exchanger without operating medium
approx. 56 kg bus-version
Nominal voltage
24 V
Technical data
| Step-up ratio | i = 2,03 |
|---|---|
| Max. rated brake torque | max. 3250 Nm |
| Maximum speed at the propshaft | 2 500 rpm |
| Standard operation | 5-stage hand-brake switch stage 1 = automatic mode (downhill cruise control) |
| Operation medium | oil (see fuel specification Volvo) |
| Fill rate (oil change) | 5,6 l |
| Control medium | compressed air |
| Unit weight incl. flange, heat exchanger without operating medium | approx. 56 kg bus-version |
| Nominal voltage | 24 V |
Water retarder
The Voith Aquatarder provides braking using the engine coolant. This means there is no additional operating medium, no additional oil change, and no adjustment work.
Voith Aquatarder SWR
Safe, cost-effective, and sustainable – the Voith Aquatarder SWR is the first secondary retarder that brakes with water. The SWR uses the engine coolant as its operating medium. This means no additional oil changes, and no adjustment work. With its compact design, it requires 50% less installation space and is 35 kg lighter than a comparable oil retarder. The Aquatarder SWR is used in Mercedes-Benz tour buses: Travego, Tourismo, Integro, as well as the Setra series TopClass, ComfortClass, and MultiClass.
Technical data
Step-up ratio
i = 1,83
Max. braking torque at the propshaft
3 500 Nm
Standard operation
Multifunction lever 5-stage
+ function v-const
option: foot control
Operation medium
Engine coolant in compliance with Mercedes-Benz operating instructions
Control medium
compressed air
Unit weight
46 kg
Nominal voltage
24 V
Technical data
| Step-up ratio | i = 1,83 |
|---|---|
| Max. braking torque at the propshaft | 3 500 Nm |
| Standard operation | Multifunction lever 5-stage + function v-const option: foot control |
| Operation medium | Engine coolant in compliance with Mercedes-Benz operating instructions |
| Control medium | compressed air |
| Unit weight | 46 kg |
| Nominal voltage | 24 V |
The design of the MRCU convinces by great robustness. It easily withstands environmental influences in the powertrain and guarantees a high availability at all times. For a simpler handling, a greater functionality, an increased robustness, higher cyber security and improved efficiency.
Hydrodynamic braking – retarder design and operation
Hydrodynamic braking – retarder design and operation
- Hydrodynamics makes wear-free braking possible.
- The magnitude of the braking torque depends on fill level and speed.
- The retarder is perfectly integrated into the vehicle braking management system.
- The braking energy is converted into heat and dissipated via the vehicle cooling system.
Offline retarders – a question of transmission
The secondary retarders are installed in the gearbox and brakes and are dependent on the speed of the drive shaft.
Do you have any questions about Voith retarders?
We’re here to help!
Further information about Voith retarders
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Wear-free braking – this is how the retarder works | Interactive flash animation for downloading (German)
ZIP, 0.30 MBGerman
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- Onboard troubleshooting and upgrade
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- Repair of supplied retarders (all model series)
- Troubleshooting and functional testing of individual components
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- replacements and basic retarders
