Taking off in 1st ???

At the swift academy they told us 4th gear is the lowest we go. This advice had me stall out on the road test going up an overpass b

 

I start in 1st in a ten speed(low). Why, no wear on the clutch and just float your way up.

 

Your overthinking this. Every truck is different. Start in a low gear that the truck needs to get moving. Be easy on the equipment.

 

Big thanks to the more experienced drivers for sharing your advice.

My truck is a 10 speed and I've always take off in 3rd gear, definitely going to start off in a lower gear from now on.

 

this. there’s no definite answer. be a truck driver and learn your equipment.

ill take off in whatever gear i can ease out the clutch and roll. using a 10 spd day cab fleet truck puts me in 2nd loaded and 3rd empty. these macks take to a strong idle that definitely helps contribute to easing off from a dead stop.

 

On a 10/15 speed I'll do 2 empty sometimes otherwise 1 lightly loaded/empty on hill/traffic/creeping to a light i want to change green with out stopping, deep reduction 1 loaded over 100k

18/13 that I don't pull heavy with I usually use first, occasionally low depending on what I'm doing or close to 80. All your doing starting off in a higher gear is beating the #### out of the clutch, yes even bobtail

 

THIS. ABSOLUTELY. No two trucks are exactly alike. Different engine setups (350 hp tune vs 400 hp tune vs 450 hp tune on the same engine), different transmissions, different drive axle gear ratios, even tire sizes can make a difference in how it pulls.

Ambient air temp can make a difference as well. Diesels are funny beasts. While cold air is better for gassers, diesels, requiring higher cylinder temps to run efficiently, seem to pull easier in warmer weather, at least to a point. Not to mention varying load weights.

@77fib77 is right, though. Much less wear on the clutch to ease off in L/1st and float from there.

 

WTF are they teaching you guys there? Starting out in 4th can stall most any tractor, even bobtail, if you don't ease it in right. And as another mentioned, higher-gear starts can be hard on the clutch. No offense to you Swift guys, it's not your fault if you're being taught by idiots... My take on OP's post matter below pic.



Most of the time, I've found that bobtail, 2nd is a good starting point, sometimes 3rd, depending on axle gearing. Under load, well, depends on the load, but generally, I've still used 2nd under 65k gross. 65k-80k gross, I use 1st. As I and others have said, it depends on the tractor and how it's set up.