Hendrickson AK-201 Manual To Using

TECHNICAL
PROCEDURE

AK-201 UNIVERSAL LOAD
SCALE KIT

SUBJECT: Operator’s Guide
LIT NO: L597
DATE: March 2008 REVISION: D

AK-201 UNIVERSAL LOAD SCALE KIT
(ULSK) DESCRIPTION

The AK-201 universal load scale kit provides an
economical and accurate way to determine axle load.
The 2½-inch diameter gage directly indicates axle
load, making it easy to use. The gage is easily
calibrated to provide consistently accurate readings
and is available in both dry and liquid-filled models.
The AK-201 is also available with or without a
manual dump feature. The AK-201 has the same
footprint and mounting bolt pattern as other
Hendrickson load scale kits and comes with push-to­connect fittings.

IMPORTANT: For maximum accuracy, the AK-201

must be properly calibrated before use.
However, the liquid-filled models are
factory-calibrated and therefore do not
need to be calibrated.

If you have a liquid-filled model, skip
the following Calibration Procedure and
proceed to the section titled OPERATING
THE AK-201.

If you have a dry model, it must first be
calibrated before it can be expected to
deliver a reliable indication of axle load.
To calibrate, continue with the following
procedure.

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE (DRY
MODELS ONLY)

PREPARE THE TRAILER FOR CALIBRATION

1. Load the trailer to its maximum legal load (or as
close as possible).

2. Locate a drive-on scale that gives reliable weight
measurements. Position the trailer on the scale.

3. During calibration, maintain the proper air
pressure in the trailer air reservoir.

CALIBRATING THE AK-201

IMPORTANT: The gage valve should always be in the

GAGE OFF position unless performing a
calibration or measuring axle load. If left
in the GAGE ON position while operating
the vehicle, the gage will be damaged.

Figure 1. Gage valve in the GAGE ON position (shown with

optional dump feature)

AK-201 ULSK OPERATOR’S GUIDE

2

L597 D

1. Weigh the load on each axle or axle
combination.

2. Add all trailer axle weights. Divide this total
weight by the number of trailer axles to get the
average weight per axle.

3. Rotate the gage valve (the upper ball valve if
equipped with the optional air dump feature)
counterclockwise to the GAGE ON position (figure

1).

4. Read the AK-201 gage.

IMPORTANT: If the gage indicates the same weight as

the average weight per axle calculated
in step 2, then the AK-201 does not
need to be calibrated. Skip the
remaining steps and proceed to
OPERATING THE AK-201.

If the gage indicates a weight different
from the average weight per axle
calculated in step 2, then the AK-201
requires calibration. Continue with the
following steps to complete the
calibration procedure.

5. Remove the gage’s plexiglass face cover by
rotating it counterclockwise.

6. Locate the slotted adjustment pin at the bottom
of the gage face (figure 2). Using a small
screwdriver, rotate this adjustment pin until the
gage agrees with the average weight per axle.

7. Replace and firmly secure the plexiglass face
cover by rotating it clockwise on the gage.

8. Rotate the gage valve (the upper ball valve if
equipped with the optional air dump feature)
clockwise to the GAGE OFF position (figure 2).

OPERATING THE AK-201

IMPORTANT: The gage valve should always be in the

GAGE OFF position unless performing a
calibration or measuring axle load. If left
in the GAGE ON position while operating
the vehicle, the gage will be damaged.

1. Ensure that the trailer is at the designed ride
height.

2. Rotate the gage valve (the upper ball valve if
equipped with the optional air dump feature)
counterclockwise to the GAGE ON position.

3. Read the AK-201 gage. It indicates per-axle
load. Multiply this per-axle load by the number of
trailer axles to get the total trailer load.

NOTE: The liquid-filled model indicates psi. To

determine the axle load for a given pressure
read from the gage, use a pressure versus
load conversion table for the specific
suspension model or determine the conversion
using a certified scale.

4. Rotate the gage valve (the upper ball valve if
equipped with the optional air dump feature)
clockwise to the GAGE OFF position (figure 2).

Figure 2. Gage valve in the GAGE OFF position

Slotted
adjustment
pin

GAGE

RANGE

AK-201 ULSK OPERATOR’S GUIDE

3

L597 D

OPERATING THE MANUAL DUMP
FEATURE (AK-201-1 THROUGH
AK-201-11 ONLY)

DUMPING THE SUSPENSION

1. Rotate the dump valve (the lower ball valve)
clockwise to the DUMP position (figure 3).

IMPORTANT: Air will immediately flow out the exhaust

port at the bottom of the dump valve,
which will cause the suspension to
lower and rest on the air spring internal
bumpers.

RETURNING THE SUSPENSION TO RIDE
HEIGHT

CAUTION: DO NOT operate the vehicle for

prolonged periods of time with the
suspension riding on the air spring
bumpers. Damage may occur to the
air suspension system.

1. Rotate the dump valve (the lower ball valve)
counterclockwise to the RIDE position (figure 2).
Allow the air system to fully charge.

OPTIONAL AK-201 ENCLOSURE

An optional enclosure for the universal load scale kit
is available (figure 4). To order the enclosure, con­tact Hendrickson customer service at (330) 489­0045 and ask for AK-201-BX1.

Figure 3. Gage valve in the GAGE OFF position

Figure 4. The optional universal load scale kit enclosure (AK-201-BX1).

www.hendrickson-intl.com

Information contained in this literature was accurate at the time of publication. Product changes may have been made after the copyright date that are not reflected.

© 2008 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. (U.S. Rights) Hendrickson International Corporation (Rights Outside U.S.) All Rights Reserved

L597 Rev D 03-08 ECN 16428

Trailer Suspension Systems
250 Chrysler Drive, Unit #3
Brampton, ON Canada L6S 6B6

905.789.1030
Fax [phone]

Hendrickson Mexicana
Av. Industria Automotriz #200
Parque Industrial Stiva Aeropuerto
Apodaca, N.L., México C.P. 66600
[phone]. 1300
Fax [phone]

Trailer Suspension Systems
2070 Industrial Place SE
Canton, OH 44707-2641 USA

866.RIDEAIR (743.3247)

330.489.0045
Fax [phone]

Printed in United States of America

SUSPENSION MODEL

GAGE

TYPE

GAGE

RANGE

AANLS 20K Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
AAL-, AAT-, AANL-, AANT 23K (Standard Air Spring) Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
AAL-, AAT-, AANL-, AANT 23K (Low Pressure Air Spring) Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
AAL 25K, AAT 25K Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
AAL 30K, AAT 30K Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
AAEDL 30K, AAEDT 30K Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
AAZL 23K, AAZL 46K Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
AAZNT 23K, AAZNT 46K Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HK190T Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HK230T Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HKANT 23K, HKANT 46K Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HKANT 40K Dry 0 - 20,000 A -1 -21
HKAT 50K, HKAT 69K/25 Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
HKAT 69K23 Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HKARL 46K Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HTHKR Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HT190 Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HT190T Dry 0 - 20,000 A -1 -21
HT190U Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HT230 Dry 0 - 23,000 B -3 -23
HT250T Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
HT250U(Air Spring C-20124) Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
HT250U(Air Spring C-20127) Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
HT250US(Air Spring C-20124) Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
HT250US(Air Spring C-20127) Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
HT300 Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
HT300U Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
T-6-068 Dry 0 - 25,000 C -5 -25
T-6-252 Dry 0 - 27,000 D -7 -27
T-RL Dry 0 - 30,000 E -9 -29
All Models Liquid 0 - 160 psi F -11 -31

WITH

DUMP

(AK-201-#)

GAGE

WITHOUT

DUMP

(AK-201-#)

AK-201 APPLICATION GUIDE

ADBECF