Equipment violations

As far as that axle dropping, there should be a switch in the cab of some kind that controls it. It should stay up as long as air isn't supplied to it. If you can't get it to go up, try to get it down. Partway is bad if it has it's own brakes. There might be a dial to vary the pressure on it too.

 

Ok here's the deal. That 3rd axle that goes up and down is your "tag axle" it is only to be used when loaded for distribution of the additional weight thus allowing you to haul more weight. There should be a small flip switch that controls it going up and down. Been a long time since I been in a dumop truck nut but if I remember right in that mack it should probably be next to your PTO controls or it might be on the dash near the steering wheel. Where ever it is located it's usually easily within reach while driving because it has to be raised when making turns unless it is a steerable tag axle. The switch could be wore out causing it to move and allow air pressure to drop the axle if so you can simply strap it in place or find something to hold it in place like duct tape so it won't drop the axle. Anyway hopefully this helps.

 

no the problem is when your loaded an the pressure goes from 100 psi down to bout 60psi an back up an down again. I was sittin on the scales an watched the front steer axle go up an down bout 10,000kg an ended up bout 10,000 kg over weight on my drives. I needed it down an pushin pretty hard! Thats why the company got fined!

 

Ohhh, sounds like an air leak. Or that controller valve for it is bad.

 

You would have to check with each State. No I don't think most guys will give you a hard time. But then again, each officer is different. I will see from time to time where the truck driven is the commodity. Haven't seen many problems from guys doing what you described.

 

Well, the term "liable" would be better described in a civil proceeding if the other driver sued you. On the side of the road when stopped you would be put OOS for no brake lights and depending on the officer cited for that infraction. One easy fix is this. You know of the violation, fix it before it becomes a problem. Could save you a lot of headaches and $$$$$$$.

 

I've never seen one between the rear axles but we had them right before the rears just after the fuel tank. They were called drop axles because we had tag axles after the rears and they didn't turn and we had steer axles that did turn when your turned the steering wheel, like a crane. The drop axles would just follow the steers and if you went into reverse they would come up automatically. The switch to raise and lower the axle can be anywhere because in the state we ran you couldn't have it in the cab, so it was right next to the step going into the cab alond with the pressure gages.You never wanted to leave the axle down when empty because if it's raining you might not turn as you like.

If you're going drop the truck off and never have it loaded then you'll want to leave the axle up. There's no need. But you do need to check the truck out by law. See FMCSR §392.7 or also known by CYOA.

 

I wouldn't drive it without brake lights, personally. You could get away with the turn signal not working, but no brake lights is too risky. I'm looking at it from a what might run me over point of view.