shifting uphill empty

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by stylicho, Mar 20, 2007.

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  1. 9 Axle

    9 Axle Light Load Member

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    I really didn't think that ANYONE would try to use a 4" dia brake built to stop the rotation of the input side of a transmission mainshaft to slow down the entire rotating & reciprical mass of a 2600 lb engine just to try to "grab" another gear on a hill!!! GO FIGGER! Just an old trucker here trying to figure out these new guys.:biggrin_25526:
     
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  3. Boardhauler

    Boardhauler Road Train Member

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    This is very true- good advice. Last summer I was on our tanker haul- corn syrup rolls slow & hits hard. Sucrose is a bit more predictable, the syrup is just a pita. With the tanker, timing is everything and the timing is dictated by the product, not just by road & engine speed. Being in a big line of traffic at a light that changes quickly, or at a 4 way stop can get the stuff moving so bad that I've just wanted to scream. I always seemed to be going through Sacramento northbound on 99 during the AM rush hour, an experience not conducive to finding inner peace & happiness.

    I think I'm going to try to refuse to do any tanker this summer.

    And, DO NOT try to use the clutch brake to shift. All it will do is destroy the clutch brake. You should only push the clutch pedal all the way down when you are at a stop.
     
  4. heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

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    I would never have discovered on my own the proper technique for using the clutch brake. I assume North Carolina Truck Driver Training School did not mention this technique to student drivers. Therefore, I was taught to upshift on hills by one of my lead drivers at Tri-State Motor Transit. If truck driving school was like junior high, driving for Tri-State was like graduate school.
     
  5. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    This is a BS thread. You cannot use a clutch brake when the truck is rolling or your putting the stress of the entire weight of the truck and trailer on the clutch brake it will not take it. It is only designed to be used at a dead stop. This is just the case where either someone is chain yanking or they are not and never have been a driver. I believe the later is probably true. All they are doing is going to get rookies breaking trucks for a laugh, and I personally do not find any humor in intentionally causing damage and possibly causing accidents. Do be morons at others expense.
     
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  6. 9 Axle

    9 Axle Light Load Member

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    perfectly exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  7. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Practice makes perfect, and sounds cool. :biggrin_255: :biggrin_255:
     
  8. Boardhauler

    Boardhauler Road Train Member

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    And if you ever do anything like haul logs you're gonna need it to get rolling out of some of the holes you end up in.
     
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  9. heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

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    Well, I'm retired after 40 years 9 months as a driver. I cannot say, "You drive your truck and I'll drive mine" because I'm out of it. What frustrates me is that I can not convince some members of this forum that when the clutch is depressed against the floor and the transmission is in neutral, the clutch brake slows only the input shaft, and this for only a split second. Those who do not believe this can climb the entire upgrade in low gear or grind it into higher gears.
     
  10. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I grew up in eastern KY listening to the Mack coal buckets jake shifting their straight piped trucks. I'll always remember laying in bed trying to fall asleep listening to that sound. We lived not real far from a short but very steep hill. With a curve at the top and bottom.
     
  11. Hubcap

    Hubcap Medium Load Member

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    Rhome Texas
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    There are three things that contribute to shifting. Rpms, gear selection and speed. If you are going up hill, every time you shift, you are going to lose speed (momentum). So if the next higher gear would have gone in a say 1200 Rpm. Does it make sense that if you lose speed shifting up hill you might see the tachometer drop lower than 1200 seeing as how the rig is going to lose speed every time you shift climbing a hill. Trying to hurry a shift will cause you to miss it.

    And when it comes to the clutch and clutch brake, if most experienced drivers shift without a clutch, how much clutch do you need to use if you use it? In a car or pickup, the clutch will save you, just push it to the floor and it will go in somewhere. If you try to use the clutch in an 18 wheeler like you do in a car. You will get lost and have to start over from a standing start. You need the right gear, at the right speed at the right Rpm and the stick will fall into gear nearly on its own.
     
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