What do these switches do ?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020.

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  1. Jul 1, 2020 #1
    SilverBulletBand

    SilverBulletBand Light Load Member

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    Referring to the 2 switches on the ends.

    I know they are for the tandem axle locking but how exactly do they work ?

    Why 2 different switches ? What's the difference ?
     

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    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
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  3. Jul 1, 2020 #2
    Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Left switch is diff lock or power divider.

    Right switch is axle lock.

    Thats the way I read it.
     
    Goodysnap, Jul 1, 2020
    Goodysnap, Jul 1, 2020
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  4. Jul 1, 2020 #3
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Yep, looks at where the little "X" is. Left is between axles to lock front and rear axles together. Right is in between both rear rear wheels to lock both wheels together so you don't get one wheel spinning.
     
    Heavyd, Jul 1, 2020
    Heavyd, Jul 1, 2020
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  5. Jul 1, 2020 #4
    SilverBulletBand

    SilverBulletBand Light Load Member

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    So the switch on the Right is like a Posi-Traction Lock in ??
     
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
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  7. Jul 1, 2020 #5
    Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Diff lock is a dangerous thing to play with. Activate it on pavement and you can do some damage by turning. It locks the axle solid so that both wheels turn at the same rate regardless of their path. Great for traction. The interaxle lock is the diff that takes input to one axle and transfers to the next. That's a lot more forgiving. Lock both together and you can spin all four duals.
     
    Tb0n3, Jul 1, 2020
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  8. Jul 1, 2020 #6
    SilverBulletBand

    SilverBulletBand Light Load Member

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    10-4 on that. I've had lots of 4x4s over the years. Just wasn't sure on the tandem operation.

    So on that, I take it the front axle of the tandem is the Primary drive axle and engaging the Interlock brings the Rear axle into sync with the Primary ?
     
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
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  9. Jul 1, 2020 #7
    SilverBulletBand

    SilverBulletBand Light Load Member

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    We go off road everyday entering new housing development construction sites. Here in TN, the soil is primary clay and after it rains, it's freaking mud disaster area.

    I've been activating both switches AFTER I leave the pavement. Then enter the mud zone. My trucks traction really kicks ### in the mud (would be better if my boss would replace the 2 LR tires....). When I get ready to go back on the pavement, I turn the switches off.

    Am I doing this right ?
     
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 1, 2020
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  10. Jul 1, 2020 #8
    Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Yes.
     
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  11. Jul 2, 2020 #9
    Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    That's right, just whatever you do make sure no tire are spinning when you turn them on, it'll grenade diffs and power dividers I've always been told.
     
    Rubber duck kw, Jul 2, 2020
    Rubber duck kw, Jul 2, 2020
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  12. Jul 2, 2020 #10
    SilverBulletBand

    SilverBulletBand Light Load Member

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    Good to know.

    Maybe my boss will buy a new truck "IF" the rear diffs just happen to "grenade" ! Lol ! J/K !

    Thank you for ya'lls input !
     
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 2, 2020
    SilverBulletBand, Jul 2, 2020
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