DART: Automated Landing Gear Eliminates Manual Cranking

With the flip of a switch, Automated Landing Gear Deployment and Retraction Technology eliminates the manual cranking required to raise and lower a trailer’s landing gear, thus reducing driver exposure to a variety of musculoskeletal injuries, including damage to shoulders, knees, the back, and upper body. The 15-lb., electrically driven unit can be OE-installed or retrofitted in less than an hour, and is compatible with all existing landing gear makes and models. Using the new technology, a driver can effortlessly deploy and retract landing gear in less time than it would take to do either operation manually.

It also makes it possible to increase lot utilization, by enabling trailers to be parked closer together. Because no crank arm needs to be accessed, and the controller is mounted just under the trailer apron, tighter trailer positioning is possible. The system comes complete in kit form with all components and mounting hardware included. Installation is simple and requires the removal of just two bolts on the landing gear crossbar, the attachment of the AIRman landing gear actuator, and the reinstallation of the crossbar. The electrical interface requires only a simple 12V power supply. The unit’s solid-state unit control box mounts under the trailer, and its 2-way toggle switch user interface mounts to the side of the trailer frame rail for easy access.

Once installed, the unit requires no maintenance, except periodic replacement of its dedicated battery, as needed. AIRman’s trailer landing gear actuator is self-contained and requires no lubrication. Fleets with trailer populations comprised of multiple trailer brands fitted with varying types of landing gear can now upgrade using one piece of equipment and one single source.