Silent Drive Inc., Premier Suspension Manufacturer :: The History of Silent Drive Inc.

History

In the early 1950's, when tag axles began to gain popularity, it became evident that they frequently caused traction problems. In an effort to address this problem, a company was started in Sioux City, Iowa in 1956. This company's answer to the problem was to produce large pulleys and install them between the dual tires of the drive axle and the tag axle. By connecting them with a large V-belt, the drive axle powered the tag axle.

Power on the Road from Silent DriveSince the tag axle was powered by silent belts instead of noisy gears, the company was named Silent Drive.

By 1972, when Silent Drive was purchased by the present owner, suspension lifts were already edging out V-belt drives in the marketplace. Silent Drive was already producing axle lifts -- both hydraulic and air. Expanding products meant an expanded facility. In 1974 a facility was constructed in Orange City, Iowa. All operations were moved to the new facility at that time.

Since then, Silent Drive has been the innovative leader in the truck suspension industry. Silent Drive was the first to use the automatic leaf spring lift incorporated into the suspension. Additionally, the concept of "unitizing" the suspension to an axle for a complete, ready-to-install system, was pioneered by the engineers at Silent Drive.

The underarm air spring lift concept, developed over ten years ago by the Silent Drive engineering team, is being adopted by nearly every suspension manufacturer in the nation. Commitment to quality keeps Silent Drive one step ahead of its competition.

Silent Drive has grown from a regional manufacturer supplying only a few products primarily to the agricultural market, to an industry leader manufacturing air suspensions for liftable tags and pushers, drive axle suspensions, as well as primary and auxiliary lift axles on trailers using state of the art technology including CAD software and Finite Element analysis for design and testing.

Expect the most complete product line, including capacities from 10,000 to 22,500 pounds with axle lifts from 6 to 18 inches, our patented "Uroflex" pull arm bushings, and excellent customer service from the industry leader. Expect only the best from Silent Drive.



	History In the early 1950's, when tag axles began to gain popularity, it became evident that they frequently caused traction problems. In an effort to address this problem, a company was started in Sioux City, Iowa in 1956. This company's answer to the problem was to produce large pulleys and install them between the dual tires of the drive axle and the tag axle. By connecting them with a large V-belt, the drive axle powered the tag axle. Power on the Road from Silent DriveSince the tag axle was powered by silent belts instead of noisy gears, the company was named Silent Drive. By 1972, when Silent Drive was purchased by the present owner, suspension lifts were already edging out V-belt drives in the marketplace. Silent Drive was already producing axle lifts -- both hydraulic and air. Expanding products meant an expanded facility. In 1974 a facility was constructed in Orange City, Iowa. All operations were moved to the new facility at that time. Since then, Silent Drive has been the innovative leader in the truck suspension industry. Silent Drive was the first to use the automatic leaf spring lift incorporated into the suspension. Additionally, the concept of "unitizing" the suspension to an axle for a complete, ready-to-install system, was pioneered by the engineers at Silent Drive. The underarm air spring lift concept, developed over ten years ago by the Silent Drive engineering team, is being adopted by nearly every suspension manufacturer in the nation. Commitment to quality keeps Silent Drive one step ahead of its competition. Silent Drive has grown from a regional manufacturer supplying only a few products primarily to the agricultural market, to an industry leader manufacturing air suspensions for liftable tags and pushers, drive axle suspensions, as well as primary and auxiliary lift axles on trailers using state of the art technology including CAD software and Finite Element analysis for design and testing. Expect the most complete product line, including capacities from 10,000 to 22,500 pounds with axle lifts from 6 to 18 inches, our patented "Uroflex" pull arm bushings, and excellent customer service from the industry leader. Expect only the best from Silent Drive.