Change in Transmission ?

Floating gears isn't about being cool. Replacing a clutch can run 3,000 or more on a Semi Tractor. It's also a PITA!...I have a friend who is a diesel mechanic.

Anyhow, double clutching is important to know but it's up to the company what they choose to use, double clutch or floating gears. My company prefers us to float gears. Since all I knew was dbl clutching, they spent time teaching how to float gears...up and down. Now all I do is float gears and my knees are very thankful for it

Now I mentioned it was important to know how to dbl clutch. I got hold of a tractor once that I could not float 5th and 6 th gear. The ONLY way to run through these gears was double clutching.

 

Yeah I hear ya. When I graduate I'll be starting with Roehl on the 31st. I asked the recruiter about it, he said the proper way is to Double Clutch. Of course he also told me it's what my trainer wants to teach me to be honest.

 

Both and a combination there of... some times I double clutch (when the load is heavy and I'm not sure where the 'spot' is yet), sometimes I just clutch to get it out of gear and float it in... and other times I'm able to float out and in... but then I'm still a 'new' driver - not yet a year in.

 

It's not about the shifts you miss, we all miss shifts.

It is how you recover.


I would not pull out in front of traffic because someone in the Non-Driver seat said to go, the crash will not go on their record.
There is always time to wait for a break in traffic, there is never enough time to fill out accident reports.

 

You ain't gonna tear out a clutch by double-clutching if you ain't a total yutz. And if cost is your argument; price out replacing a gear or countershaft in the trans because some yahoo "floated" and flubbed a shift. I don't need to "ask a friend", I've rebuilt more than a few "supertrucker"trannys my ownself. Busted gears are sharp little suckers and blood and gear oil don't mix real well.

Anyhow, double clutching is important to know but it's up to the company what they choose to use, double clutch or floating gears. My company prefers us to float gears. Since all I knew was dbl clutching, they spent time teaching how to float gears...up and down. Now all I do is float gears and my knees are very thankful for it .[/QUOTE]

Congratulation, but in all my 38 years I've never run across a company that will tell you to float let alone train you to. Perhaps you had enough experience behind you that they figured they could trust you?

Exactly, remember the OP is a student. That's why he needs to learn to be proficient in D/C first and not screw himself all up with "shortcuts" until he's been out there awhile.

 

Floating should be your last option. You should know how to shift with the clutch in every situation before you float. That includes skipping gears and matching the gears to the road speed all the time. You may hit every gear perfect most of the time but the difference between floating and using the clutch is damage to the transmission. Every one of us rub a gear or two once in awhile but when you float you chance the gear selection not going all the way into the hole and when you apply power the gear while bang out into neutral. It happens after the shift and it will cause damage to the gears.

It's ok to float once you know the truck. The problem today is some schools do not want to take the time to teach the proper way to shift. That could be any way you choose but making the gear a solid shift is what counts. Someone just out of school with hardly any miles behind them do not have the experience to float safely. You might go for a long time floating and think you've got it down pat and then when you're under a load it happens. You may even think there's not any damage done but if it happens more often you'll eventually end up in the shop. A transmission is much more costly than replacing a clutch. The object is to know your equipment and have it work for you and not you working the truck. We don't care how you shift as long as you know how. Just remember the testing for your CDL will require you to double clutch.

 

I worked with a guy, he has 12 years experience, and I met him at a shop to drop my truck off for a p/m, and he drove me back in his truck. He doubled clutched every gear. I was going to hit him. Drove me nuts listening to him hit to pedal that many times. Then he has the Nerve to complain to management, his KNEE HURTS HIM, because he has to use the clutch, and it has a HEAVY spring in it, ITS TO HARD TO PUSH DOWN ON. What a turd. He is a major cry baby.

 

That isn't my argument, that is my company's argument. My argument is saves my knees. At any rate, it's up to the company. My company wants me to float gears, I'm not going to complain.

 

You should be able to shift anything! The only difference would be more or less times that you shift. If you are concerned about remembering the gear pattern get you a dry erase marker and draw the pattern right on the windshield in front of you. This way you won't be staring at the shifter or the back side of the visor. After about a good hour of driving you will be completely used to it.

 

Same can be said for floating. On the other hand if someone is proficient a floating he will usually be better at double clutching, and someone who is proficient at double clutching usually can float well also. If a driver truly understands shifting (Speed, gear, rpm relationship) and is good with his/her dynamic timing they should do well with either.

I haven't either, in fact regardless of how well one shifts I believe one should honor the wishes of the one paying him/her. If a company wants you to D/C then that is what you do.

There is another school of thought there. Train someone under supervision to float, then train him to D/C. You impress the speed, rpm gear relationship and then introduce the clutch. The biggest problem one solves this way is the problem of rpm change after in the hole before clutch let off. But hey, to each his own.

I see you are from Sorrento. People south of a line from Prairieville toWalker don't know how to shift., just kidding. I am from just outside of BR, formerly with Blue Flash for too many years.