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Floating gears question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014.

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  1. Jul 26, 2014 #1
    AppalachianTrucker

    AppalachianTrucker Heavy Load Member

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    I just started floating a few gears. I'm starting to understand enough about how the shifting works that It's starting to come together for me now. I began by floating a few gears while bobtailing here and there between loads and I'm having a pretty good time with it so far. Next, I tried it pulling a few empty trailers and that worked ok.

    When I'm under a load of say 44K lbs or so and double clutching, I know I need to wind it up a bit in the low gears so I don't get pulled down again and lose RPMs while I shift.

    I've noticed that when I'm floating up, if I wait too long to shift I get locked into that gear, RPMs over 15.5 or so, and I have to wait until they fall again to continue floating up.

    I was wondering how this works under load.
    Do I just keep the RPMs low, like max out at about 15, and float up just like when I have an empty trailer and keep the RPMs in that narrow range and just let it pull?
    I don't want to get locked into 1st or 2nd or 3rd gear going through an intersection under a load and I'm used to winding it up while double clutching. That's probably a lingering bad habit I have, winding it up before I shift, need to back off the fuel.
    It seems to be so much smoother and easier on the equipment when I float.

    Thanks for any advice or comments.
     
    AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014
    AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jul 26, 2014 #2
    morlandoemtp

    morlandoemtp Light Load Member

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    What speed transmission you running.
     
    morlandoemtp, Jul 26, 2014
    morlandoemtp, Jul 26, 2014
    #2
  4. Jul 26, 2014 #3
    HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

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    When I'm under a heavy load and in a manual I'll use the clutch to get it out of gear and float it to the next.
     
    HotH2o, Jul 26, 2014
    HotH2o, Jul 26, 2014
    #3
  5. Jul 26, 2014 #4
    dieselfuelonly

    dieselfuelonly Road Train Member

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    If you're running a modern engine like a DD15, ISX, etc., try keeping your RPMs a couple hundred lower, no need to go all the way to 1500+ especially on the low side.

    If you're getting locked into gear remember that you have to break torque in order to pull the shifter out of gear. If I'm starting out on an uphill intersection with a heavy load from low gear, I'll put a little pressure on the shifter before I start to release the throttle, that way as soon as I start to release and the torque is broken I can pull it out of gear. Then, depending on how much momentum I lose, I will sometimes single clutch to get it into 1st gear (technically the 2nd gear on a 13).

    Floating with a heavy load on an uphill from a dead stop in the low gears can be tricky because basically the truck may lose momentum faster than the RPM drops on engine and you can't get into the next gear. You may see or read about using the jake to drop the rpms faster by burping it in between shifts if your ECM is set up to instantly apply it without a delay, but especially while you are learning I wouldn't recommend doing that as if you do it wrong it can be VERY hard on stuff.

    It's all about timing in these situations and depending on how slow or fast you lose momentum with each shift you'll have to time your shifts accordingly. Just remember don't force it into gear. Make the shifts steady and smooth, roll on and off the throttle rather than just jumping on and off completely, keep the RPMs lower, but not so low that you have no RPM to drop to get into the next gear.
     
    dieselfuelonly, Jul 26, 2014
    dieselfuelonly, Jul 26, 2014
    #4
    browndawg Thanks this.
  7. Jul 26, 2014 #5
    Jaguar115

    Jaguar115 Heavy Load Member

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    Another problem you will encounter. .

    Floating gears going downhill..RPMs get to high and you can't accelerate past the torque to release the gear. .

    14 years and still happens to me. . Just push in on the clutch to release the gear. .Be careful though. .The truck will roll faster than you can catch the next gear. . Panic, and your in a run away situation very quickly.

    Takes practice. .I shift at low rpms..1,300..And let it pull.

    Practice
     
    Jaguar115, Jul 26, 2014
    Jaguar115, Jul 26, 2014
    #5
  8. Jul 26, 2014 #6
    AppalachianTrucker

    AppalachianTrucker Heavy Load Member

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    It's a 10 speed Eaton Fuller on an old Volvo (Year 2000, I think), btw.
    It's a DD but I don't know the model. Frankenstein truck or something.

    Also, thanks for your great threads DFO.
    I've been reading your stuff form the start, since before I started driving trucks, and they've really helped me in understanding the trucking industry and the realities of this job.

    I appreciate the advice!
    Trying to get to that zen place with my shifting...
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2014
    AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014
    AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014
    #6
    dieselfuelonly Thanks this.
  9. Jul 26, 2014 #7
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    You've got a Detroit Diesel in a Volvo? That's what "DD" stands for...Detroit Diesel...you might want to check usually Volvo has either Mercedes or Volvo or Cummins.
     
    otherhalftw, Jul 26, 2014
    otherhalftw, Jul 26, 2014
    #7
  10. Jul 26, 2014 #8
    dieselfuelonly

    dieselfuelonly Road Train Member

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    Well since his Volvo is a 2000 he could have a Detroit, definitely not a DD15 but a good chance he has a Series 60 in there.
     
    dieselfuelonly, Jul 26, 2014
    dieselfuelonly, Jul 26, 2014
    #8
    otherhalftw Thanks this.
  11. Jul 26, 2014 #9
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    DD15 in a 2000?
     
    Ridgeline, Jul 26, 2014
    Ridgeline, Jul 26, 2014
    #9
  12. Jul 26, 2014 #10
    AppalachianTrucker

    AppalachianTrucker Heavy Load Member

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    I don't know what it is. I edited my post above: Frankentruck.
    It's a DD, though. Likely not the original engine.
    The odometer says 404K miles. I have my doubts about that, too.
    It's a student beater truck and I'm trying not to beat it too hard...
     
    AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014
    AppalachianTrucker, Jul 26, 2014
    #10
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