Can ZF Transmission Operate Without a Retarder?
2 Answers
ZF transmission can operate without a retarder, but equipping it with a hydraulic retarder provides additional safety benefits. When a ZF transmission is fitted with a hydraulic retarder, it can control the gear selection based on the driver's use of the retarder, choosing the most appropriate gear. More details are as follows: 1. ZF is a leader in the automatic transmission industry and is now installed in various vehicle models. ZF transmissions have become synonymous with high-end transmissions. When paired with a ZF retarder, they set industry benchmarks in both safety and fuel efficiency. 2. ZF transmissions are developed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The company is a global partner and supplier in the automotive industry. ZF Group's automotive powertrain and chassis technologies are world-leading. In the 2019 Fortune Global 500 ranking, ZF was listed at 266th. 3. The ZFS6-120 transmission is a typical conventional transmission with advanced structure and reliable operation. If shifting difficulties occur in a ZF transmission, it is usually due to severe wear of the synchronizer cone rings and cones. In such cases, the transmission needs to be disassembled and inspected, and the worn parts must be replaced.
We veteran drivers of semi-trailers all know whether a ZF transmission needs a retarder depends on the operating environment. For standard loads on flat terrain, exhaust brakes are completely sufficient. Last year, I drove a FAW J7 without a retarder and still covered 100,000 kilometers, with brake pads replaced only every 30,000 kilometers. But for those running routes in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, a retarder is a must. Last year, I personally saw a truck without a retarder smoking from its brakes on a long downhill in Liupanshui. In fact, manufacturers offer it as an option. Logistics companies have done the math—for trucks running mountainous routes, the savings on maintenance costs from installing a retarder pay for themselves in just six months.
