ZF has announced five new braking and control product developments targeting off-highway, construction, mining, and agricultural vehicle manufacturers. The new technologies reflect the company’s EASE design philosophy — Excellent, Adaptable, Safe, and Efficient — with the goal of simplifying integration while supporting electrification and autonomous machine platforms.
Highlights
- ZF introduced five new braking products for off-highway applications, spanning mechanical, hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, and electronic interfaces.
- The EASE framework prioritizes ease of operation for drivers, ease of integration for engineers, and ease of installation for manufacturing and service.
- Products are designed to support both conventional hydraulic systems and advanced electrified or autonomously controlled vehicle platforms.
- All five developments are in various stages of release and customer validation, with specifications to be communicated throughout 2026.
Five New Developments Across the Braking System
The newly released technologies can be deployed independently or as part of an integrated braking system. ZF’s Tom Chambers, Head of Off-Highway Braking for the Industrial Division, described the announcement as “a product bonanza across multiple braking functions.”
The five products are:
- Pedal Modulating Valve Family — Designed to directly operate large multiple disc brakes. It prioritizes low noise, precise brake control, and consistent brake feel across varied operating conditions. The family approach simplifies platform adaptation and system validation. Patent pending for dual hydraulic balancing.
- Pressure Limiting Electro-Hydraulic Brake Valve — A patented valve that delivers controlled pressure management under demanding braking scenarios. It supports smooth intervention, optimized efficiency, and integration into modern electro-hydraulic braking architectures.
- Hydraulic In-Line Brake Adjuster — Features patent-ready design elements that improve long-term performance stability and simplify installation. The solution addresses packaging constraints while maintaining consistent brake adjustment throughout system life.
- Electronic Brake Pedal with Analog or PWM Output — A functional safety-compliant modular pedal with flexible signal output options. Vehicle manufacturers can tailor pedal response and signal strategy to specific control systems, with support for future electrified and autonomous applications.
Scalable Design for Electrification and Automation
Together, the products are designed for scalability across a wide range of vehicle architectures. Piergiorgio Di Francesco, Head of ZF’s Off-Highway sales for North America, noted that the EASE-driven approach enables customers to adopt new technologies without unnecessary complexity, while also delivering short lead times for current vehicle programs.
ZF employs approximately 161,600 people worldwide and reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024. The company operates 161 production locations across 30 countries. For more information, visit www.zf.com/construction.
Subscribe Today!
Sign up for our weekly eNewsletter and get a free copy of our quarterly digital magazine.
