Trucker lost brakes, jumped out of truck, died.

I was driving a 1993 Ford L9000. And back then the jake break was optional equipment. Hell it may STILL be for all I know. I've never "spec'ed out" a new truck.

 

I have driven two new trucks in the past two years that have not had jake brakes or any engine brakes on them. Once you drive on of those you get a whole new respect and thankfulness for the engine brakes.

 

Jakes aren't always needed or even wanted, especially for fleets in flat areas and/or light loads. Good for resale, I suppose, but when you're buying a fleet, maybe not something you want to pay for up front.

 

Yes gentlemen, jakes are still optional. Reaching into the way back machine.... I once drove a 379 with a 450 Cat and 13 over. It had jakes, an exhaust brake and...... a hydraulic brake ! Yep! A second and shorter johnny bar mounted below the original. I'm told the truck had what resembled a torque converter and when I yanked the handle air pressure was applied to the converter and reversed the internal finns and forced oil back against itself. Had an oil temp Gage on the dash just for this.

#### thing worked good ! Engage all three at once and you could bury the pete's nose in the asphalt. That was 1979... haven't seen one since.

 

The newest Truck without a Jake brake I ever drove was a 1997 Pete 379 with a Jakeless C-12 Cat. You could have a C-12 with or without a Jake Brake.

 

1998 C120 with a 60 Series in it also with out a Jake. Took that Sucker over Monarch in Colorado. Now you want to talk Seat Cushion REMOVAL required there was the case for that. I was lucky pulling Sweet Corn Topped iced and that helped keep the brakes a little cooler but not FUN at all at 80k without Jakes. Btw I took that same Truck Over Cabbage Donner Cajon Techaaphi Flagstaff Monteagle Balck Mountain and Parley with her. I never smoked the brakes on any of the passes however Monarch got her warm.

 

Yes but just because you are paid for them doesn't mean you should be counting them as your million miles. Only the miles you actually drove at the wheel count... otherwise I am at like #### near 1 million now.

 

You are talking about CATS Hydralic Brake Saver. My Dad drove a truck with one of those and a Jake. He was on a Dedicated account for Harvester Silos you know those Great big Blus Suckers you see. He had a truck with one on it. Man that sucker would stand still coming down about anygrade you can think of. His IIRC was on a 1980 Mack.

 

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