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Down Grades & Gear Selection

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RogerThat72, May 10, 2014.

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  1. May 10, 2014 #1
    RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    Been having a weird problem with my tractor lately. The Jake brake is working selectively so for example today I drove from NC Through VA WV up to Ohio and there are some decent grades along the way. On some I would use 9th but it felt like the truck would pick up speed and my RPMS were high. Once I hit 16-1700 I would bring it back to 1300 and release.

    can you guys and veterans give some in sight on this subject and if the RPM build up gets to high what can happen? give some experience on your end please. Thank you


    has anyone had a truck where the jake brake works one minute then not the next? What causes this? I don't want to go into the shop but I'm thinking one of these days it's going to be 90-100 degrees and it could be the day I hit a big down grade and hear will cause brake fade. I don't brake a lot but I just don't want that on my hands. What would you do?
     
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    #1
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  3. May 10, 2014 #2
    skateboardman

    skateboardman Road Train Member

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    what type transmission ay got,,, how about just a lower gear?
     
    skateboardman, May 10, 2014
    skateboardman, May 10, 2014
    #2
  4. May 10, 2014 #3
    tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    Hmmm , just hammer down .....

    And idk if the engine brake does anything at 1300 rps does it ?
     
    tangerineGT, May 10, 2014
    tangerineGT, May 10, 2014
    #3
  5. May 10, 2014 #4
    RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    I hear ear what your saying. Eaton fuller 10. But the gravity and weight combination makes you still come down the hill. So your Rpms build up. I just don't want to blow the engine
     
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    #4
  7. May 10, 2014 #5
    mattbnr

    mattbnr Road Train Member

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    What type of truck and motor? Different motors require different rpm for engine brakes. My engine is mbe4000 and my engine brake has max power at 2300 rpm.
     
    mattbnr, May 10, 2014
    mattbnr, May 10, 2014
    #5
  8. May 10, 2014 #6
    RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    Ill be in 10th hear doing 65. I never leave the button on I always flip it when in use and flip it off if not using it. Sometimes it work and sometimes it doesn't.
     
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    #6
  9. May 10, 2014 #7
    RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    T660 Cummins ISX15. Eaton fuller.
     
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    RogerThat72, May 10, 2014
    #7
  10. May 10, 2014 #8
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    I drove one truck where the clutch return spring was weak, and it kept the engine brake from working properly. Put your foot under the clutch and pull it up all the way and see if that helps. Same for the brake. Otherwise report the problem and put the truck in the shop.

    To mitigate the problem, slow down and gear down more, and don't let your RPM build over 1800 or so. And turn on your engine fan and A/C to increase parasitic drag on the engine.
     
    windsmith, May 10, 2014
    windsmith, May 10, 2014
    #8
    RogerThat72 Thanks this.
  11. May 10, 2014 #9
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    One thing about an engine brake. The higher your engine speed short of red line, while it is engaged, the more effective it is. Couple that with your driveline's natural tendency to slow you down in lower gears, plus the previous suggestions of turning on the manual fan if you're so equipped, and the A/C which I have both done myself, then you have a fairly effective system.
     
    MACK E-6, May 10, 2014
    MACK E-6, May 10, 2014
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    RogerThat72 Thanks this.
  12. May 10, 2014 #10
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    If it works and you leave it on will it continue to work?


    I had a Volvo that did that.
    The jake would sometimes work and sometimes wouldn't.
    If I left it on and it was working it would keep working.
    So i just ran with it on all the time.
     
    Balakov100, May 10, 2014
    Balakov100, May 10, 2014
    #10
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