By LEN GONZALEZ, JACKIE EDWARDS AND KIM JONES | MGM Brakes

For 60 years, MGM Brakes has been a leader in commercial vehicle actuator technology, providing service chambers and spring parking brakes engineered to operate in the harshest environments.

In 1956, when heavy over-the-road vehicles, lacking a reliable air-brake backup device, were experiencing air system failures, MGM’s founders came up with an innovative solution to this industry safety problem: designing and patenting the first spring parking brake. Their innovation achieved worldwide acceptance as a simple solution to a serious problem that had plagued the transportation industry for decades.

MGM Brakes rapidly progressed from its humble origins to industry-leader status, developing drum and air disc actuators designed to address the operational requirements and varied environments of all segments of the commercial vehicle industry. Whichever MGM Brakes product you select, you’ll be getting the best product designed and manufactured in the USA by the acknowledged worldwide leader.

MGM manufactures specifically designed brake chamber products for the municipal fleet, to meet the physical demands of the vocational truck fleet. With advances in design that includes Corrosion Fighter Technology and the new Hybrid Neoprene Diaphragm, MGM continues to add value by decreasing downtime and lowering overall costs-per-hour for the fleet.

MGM thoroughly tests its chambers for durability under the most adverse conditions. Here, a technician is performing a salt spray test. (Photo provided)

MGM’s Severe Service Chamber is a completely epoxy-coated chamber designed to operate in the most challenging environments. (Photo provided)

For the refuse market, MGM Brakes offers brake chambers featuring the new Hybrid Neoprene Diaphragm, an exclusive MGM Brakes feature. This diaphragm provides additional durability by comprising the oilresistant benefits of the neoprene diaphragm that faces the air system, while supported by a nitrile rubber diaphragm shell. Combined, these two materials allow for extended chamber life, even through heavy air compressor cycling due to repetitive brake applications. Also included is the patented positive alignment feature that assures proper alignment throughout the brake chamber to prevent power spring skewing, allowing for smoother cycling through brake applications.

MGM offers a wide range of brake chambers for the fire, first responder, ambulance or other air-braked emergency vehicles. When dependability counts, MGM Brakes responds with the availability of double-diaphragm, wedge and piston brakes in both s-cam and air disc to match all OEM applications.

For the utility/service vehicle, vacuum truck, snowplow or dump truck applications, MGM Brakes manufactures chambers to withstand even the harshest environments. Our tube-type brake chambers have the external breather tube technology, designed to seal out foreign contaminants that could ingest within the brake chamber. Our severe service brake chambers offer additional protection from the elements by providing complete epoxy powder coating on all the metal surfaces on the outside and inside of the chamber in order to resist corrosion from salt spray, brine and other corrosive materials.

MGM offers chambers that exceed the OEM specification for school/activity bus applications. Available with increased power spring force output on our heavy-duty chambers to assure secure parking when loaded on steep hills or grades.

Pictured is the piston brake chamber for air disc applications, featuring low air consumption and higher parking spring force in a compact design. (Photo provided)

MGM also features the welded yoke technology on all models throughout the product line. The welded yoke provides a positive measurement for the brake chamber’s pushrod, assuring the OEM-designated length for maximum efficiency for brake applications. The welded yoke also provides ease of replacement for vehicle shops as well as mobile service and can cut as much as 30 minutes from the standard brake chamber replacement time. MGM Brakes has more welded yoke availability of any brake chamber manufacturer.

Keeping safety at the forefront, MGM offers advanced technologies for the pretrip inspection. To help with this daily task, MGM designed and patented, e-STROKE, electronic brake monitoring systems. These systems help with verifying proper brake setup and operation on commercial vehicle drum and air disc brakes, as well as provide continuous real-time brake monitoring on any air brake equipped vehicle.

MGM Brakes is manufactured right here in the USA, with manufacturing plants in Murphy, N.C., and Cloverdale, Calif. Our corporate office and state-of-the-art Technology Center are located in Charlotte, N.C. All of our locations are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. We have parts distribution centers located in Springfield, Mo., and Toronto, Canada.

Customer service and support at MGM Brakes is superior. From corporate and field support worldwide, plus product and service information available 24-hours-a-day on our website, www.mgmbrakes.com, MGM has you covered for product information, service bulletins and best installation practices.

For more information on any of our product lines, go to our website at www.mgmbrakes.com or contact customer service at (800) 527-1534, ext. 6021.