heyall, im new to the biz, just drove up my fathers new triaxle from florida to massachusetts (2007 sterling), and will be starting some real work soon. I just want to make sure im using the clutch properly. i guess i should just let it get to the release point, ease it through the release, and then just let it smoothly go the rest of the way. i just want to make sure im not holding the clutch too long, and obvioiusly not good to hold it to short as it is not smooth. i like to be able to start out in 2nd gear instead of first (theres low, first, second etc.), and i use a little throttle to ease it into gear.

i would appreciate any tips any of you might have, if you can somehow articulate them with words, as i know it may be tough in this situation. thansk in advance, i really appreciate it. - Dan

There's really nothing to it. The engage point is often really shallow. The trickiest part is starting from a stop without stalling out, especially on a hill.

can i ask what school you went to ?
or did your dad teach you .
and how long have you had your CDL ?

Oh. One more thing. You really don't need the throttle unless you're in said situation about being on a hill(at it's a really steep one).

Good Luck and Welcome to the forum

Start out in a gear low enough to take your foot off the clutch without applying throttle. That's what low gear is for. I drove turnpike doubles for many years, we had alot of drivers who wouldn't use low gear when they start out with 127,000 pounds gross weight. I've been as much as 167,000 pounds on 9 axles.
Now I drive a Western Star with a C13 Caterpillar 13 speed, 3:21 rears, I use low gear to start out almost all the time, I let the clutch out completely before applying throttle, then shift.
I had a friend with a 1973 Mack DM600 triaxle dump truck, 237 Maxidyne, 6 speed, he went 1 million miles without a clutch adjustment, only 5 people ever drove that truck. You can't expect that kind of clutch life from a tractor, but using low gear will help. Let the clutch out, bring the RPM up just enough to grab the next gear, 900 to 1100 RPM should be enough. Use the gears you need, you don't need them all, all the time, but using low will help extend the life of the clutch.

most of the trucks are different, everyone will have opioions on how to do this

07 frieghtliner with 525 detroit and a 10spd

loaded i start off in 2nd or 3rd , dont really have that much weight anyway

empty i start off in 3rd or 4th all depends if im on hill or not

bobtail i can get going on in 6th

but every sitiution is different

like already said the lower gear your start off in the easier its going to be on the clutch

good luck!

same as everyone else let the gears do the work

I usually start in 1st, (18 speed) then go to 2nd split, 4th direct, hi range, 5th split,7th direct, then split all changes from there up.. but i dont tend to rev up much at all.. 1700 is my usuall max if i want to get going quickly.. usually change at around 1600.. Kitty cat driving habits die hard!

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Trucks are like pretty women, sometimes you know better than to mess with em', but you just keep on tryin' it 'cause it just feels right

When sitting with the clutch in, red light etc., push the clutch all the way in. It is easier on the clutch brake.