Looking for advice for gaining better control with floor mounted brake pedals

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Petros, Oct 17, 2012.

  1. Petros

    Petros Bobtail Member

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    May 23, 2012
    Bangor, Maine
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    Does anyone have advice for gaining greater control with the floor mounted brake pedals?

    I am used to, and good with, fire-wall mounted brake pedals but I have just started driving for a fuel transport company and all of their trucks have floor-mounted foot brake pedals. I am having a terrible time getting used to them -especially when I'm empty. I ask for a little brake and get nothing and then ask for a little more and the brakes slam on!

    The mechanics say they keep the brakes wound up tight but everyone else is fine with them so I know it's me.:biggrin_25524:

    I have spent two weeks with these and still haven't done very well. Winter is coming real soon and I am not at all confident that I can feather the brakes when empty -I'll be a skiddin' fool if I don't learn real fast!

    I tried keeping my toes up at the very end of the pedal on a Kenworth -that helped quite a bit and more practice will help, I 'm sure, but there is this International that has a shorter pedal and I just can't get it.
    It has some pedal surface extending below the pivot pin and I am wondering if I should put my heel on there with firm pressure while (attempting) to feather with my toes ... I don't know -it is driving me nuts!:biggrin_25516:
    Any advice, please. Thank you!
     
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  3. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

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    ABS (if it's working) will prevent the wheels from locking.
     
  4. Taildragon

    Taildragon Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 22, 2012
    Indiana
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    What you are refering to is a brake treddle, most of the trucks with air brakes had these years ago. Yes you would put your heal at the bottom of the pedal, and your ankle will just pivot over the pedal, when they started going to pedals I had a time getting used to them, there was no place for your heal. If you can get used to putting your whole foot on them and pivoting your ankle to apply the brakes it will come to you soon enough. I prefer the treddle because you can be more precise with your braking, since the weight of your foot rests on the treddle.
     
  5. bender

    bender Road Train Member

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    Try giving the pedal a quick tap then steady pressure to your braking needs.
     
  6. Petros

    Petros Bobtail Member

    30
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    May 23, 2012
    Bangor, Maine
    0
    Ralph,
    ABS can be great. Some of these roads I drive are pretty dicey though; they are hilly, curvy, some are heavily crowned or banked, etc., etc. ... I am afraid that even if my I could recover my wheels after a skid (get them rolling again) that a little skid would start a sideways slide into the ditch.
     
  7. Petros

    Petros Bobtail Member

    30
    2
    May 23, 2012
    Bangor, Maine
    0
    Taildragon,
    Thanks! I will focus on that. The foot wear on the pedal from other drivers seems to be as you suggest. With the hanging brake pedals, my heel would stay on the floor and I would just switch my toes from accelerator to brake. Now on these treddle pedals, my leg is often suspended while trying to apply pressure with my toes and I lose my frame of reference -it just doesn't make sense. I will try as you say!
     
  8. ralph

    ralph Road Train Member

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    You're missing the point of ABS>If working properly the wheels don't lock thus zero recovery is required.
     
  9. Petros

    Petros Bobtail Member

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    May 23, 2012
    Bangor, Maine
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    bender,
    That is interesting. It has seemed, at times, that when I first press on the brake and get nothing, if I don't push anymore the brakes come on steadily(?). I will try the quick tap thing and see if I don't throw myself out the windshield!
     
  10. Petros

    Petros Bobtail Member

    30
    2
    May 23, 2012
    Bangor, Maine
    0
    I see ... "working properly". I once had the ABS get involed with a quick stop and it felt like stab braking -I guess it wasn't working properly! You're right, now that I think about it, the ABS should cycle so much faster than what I experienced. Thank you.
     
  11. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Are you wearing boots?

    Sometimes a lighter shoe will give you more "feel" of the pedal.

    Mikeeee
     
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