Big Loads - Post Photos Number 2

I try to downshift at 1200 rpm, to stay at around 14-1500 rpm. On a slow gradual grade that's easy to do. I'll try dropping an extra gear next time, I'm guessing you'll use less boost and less fuel?

On the sharp hills I have always struggled downshifting fast enough as the truck loses momentum. This truck you have to drop full gears, splitting doesn't work. That's why I was surprised it wouldn't even pull in 5 low, so I wondered if I should've started at the bottom in a low gear right to the top.
And thanks.

 

Your driving a 18?

I climb a hill that I feel is pretty steep, when I'm going up it I am usually grossing around 130,000lbs. I shift on the hill all the time, I will drop rpm to 1250-1300rpm, shift and pump it up to 1500rpm then shift gear. When RPM climbs back to 1600rpm I drop her out of gear and into next gear around 1350-1400rpm.. You do have to be quick at both up and down shifts, and sometimes you'll get caught off guard and miss a gear or not have a completely clean shift but you'll get it..

So I usually start the bottom of the hill in 8HI and by the time I am 1/3 of the way up I am in 5LO and from there is pulls the rest of the way up the hill.

 

13 speed

Yes I thought I had this truck figured out. Went out to Manitoba and she pulled hills in 5 low like you're saying. 105K gross. That's what threw me was at 80K I couldn't pull hills in 5 low. Been in the same truck 6 months or so. I know it's gutless but it must be getting worse.

I'm trying to drive it without tearing it up and the hills were kicking my behind to be gentle on it.

 

my baby mine trk..

 

My wife is almost taller than this. Lol

 

Just gotta be faster at shifting. I always downshift as I'm climbing. You can't lug it down low when on steep hills.

 

99,000 lb Steam Turbine rotor. Only took it about 120 miles after 11 hrs loading.

26ft long
10ft wide
10ft 5in high from the deck
14'4" overall height

 

Yep, drive for power not fuel economy.

 

Time to roll, curfew in St. Louis will probably have me stopping early today, but can roll early tomorrow before it starts. 12 1/2" chains and binders, 3 3/8" chains and binders.