This is a little embarrassing...lol

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by stryker5673, Feb 4, 2015.

  1. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    At first, when I saw this, I thought, you've got to be kidding. Something as basic as cranking up dollies, something we've all done a million times, should be simple. Then my compassionate side kicked in, and I remembered the 1st time I hooked up a trailer, and never having done that, I didn't know how to connect the glad hands properly, and the boss, who was a great guy, was watching me struggle with them, told me, "from the top down". When I came back in the office saying I was ready to go, he looked at the unit, and said, " don't forget to raise your dolly legs". Matter of fact, I don't think I even knew there was a high/low gear for a while. Point being to the OP, we were all green once, and I'm glad they asked this question, or any question, for that matter, and I hope they, and others don't ever hesitate to ask more.:thumbup:
     
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  3. crzyjarmans

    crzyjarmans Road Train Member

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    I know mine method only works when hooking to same trailer, kind of of topic a little, was up in Carlisle, PA a couple of winters ago, watch this guy dropping his trailer at the Petro, he cranked the landing gear down so much he started lifting the trailer, when he tried to pull out, his tries just spun, just had to shake my head, after he tried a couple times, I walked over and told him if he lifted the land gear a bit he'd get some traction, he told me this was how his trainer taught him to do it, he lifted the landing gear a bit, and low and behold, he was able to pull out from under the trailer
     
  4. HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

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    3 pages on raising and lowering the landing gear.....thanks for the entertainment ladies and gents.
     
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  5. mnmover

    mnmover Road Train Member

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    AND when all else fail, like the gearbox is messed up or ? You then take a pipe wrench to the spinning shaft between the support legs and roll up the dolly legs.
     
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi mnmover, I've done that with some of the RR junk I used to pull. Or that cross shaft would snap, and you'd have to get under there and raise the other side with a vice grips.
     
  7. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    This posting of mine, makes it 26 posts, and I'm still on page one.
     
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  8. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yeah, pulling handle towards you (out from trailer) is low gear, pushing it inboard (towards trailer) is high gear. Inbetween (low and high) is neutral. The problem is different manufacturers have clockwise for up/down or counterclockwise for up/down. A lot of times someone has marked on the trailer with their greasy glove which way to crank it. And some mfg have a little sticker with directions.
     
  9. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    I'm too lazy to check to see if it's been posted but if you tug tested after you connected, reverse before you set your brakes to ease the tension you put on the landing gear when you tug tested. It will be much easier to crank.
     
  10. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    you're welcome,have anything you would like to contribute?
     
  11. Ebola Guy

    Ebola Guy Heavy Load Member

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    If raising the gear...
    ...it's hard to crank, try other direction,
    ... if it's still hard to crank, push or pull the crank to change the gear speed to low range,
    ... if in low range and it feels spongy (springs back a little when stopped turning), turn it the other way.

    If lowering the gear, ...
    ...the crank handle won't turn or the landing feet move up, turn it the other way,
    ... if the crank handle seems to have to no resistance and spins freely without the landing feet moving, you're probably in low range, push or pull the crank to change the gear speed.
     
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