Trucking DIY Brake Adjustments

That's being very generous and only when the cans are new. Most of them will release and apply far less pressure. It's always a good idea to start and end the the day with a full pedal to the floor brake application.
I'm in full agreement that you should not be under there doing manual adjustments.

 

When doing a service and or annual inspection I check brake adjustment and normally snug them up a bit.
If I recall correctly the Rep. from Rockwell said they should 5/8 through 3/4" with hand pressure. Depending on the application I use a open end wrench over the clevis and pry against the chamber mounting stud. Use a pry bar. Have seen some guys use a tee handle with a hook to pull them. That is with cold drums. If you tighten them up over a 1/2" you should back them off. Release or remove the locks on Rockwell's first.
If they have excessive travel, near limit for chamber size, you know something is wrong. If I check and possibly snug them up a bit they have all been checked and I know they are within specifications.
Another unmentioned cause of automatic slack adjuster failure is from people that adjust them like manual slacks on a regular basis. Is strips out the lock paws, dogs or what ever you want to call them. Then the slacks back off.
If that is way to confusing to you just have one person apply and release the brakes while another watches the travel. Don't get ran over!

 

Some manufacturers I think actually recommend at a brake job to only back off the brake enough to slide the drum off, then cam it over before removing the shoes, rather than backing it off all the way. Like you said, manual adjustment will wear out the locking mechanisms.

 

Although I disagree with your brake adjustment program, because it will not do well for some applications, I thank you. Wish I had your posting abilities and hope we all learn something. Like to see the changes of seasons myself.

 

That's how I do it, it's easier. The the cam and bushings are OK to reuse, it flips it. They always tend to wear more on 1 side, so it helps keep cam wear more even. The Rockwell design doesn't have that issue, you can release the pawl and it can free wheel back, but I just got in the habit of camming them over.

As far as routine checks, I just do a free stroke check like BoxCarKidd said.

 

A little off topic...
Some adjuster manufacturers recommend NLGI #1 grease. Cant hurt with cold weather approaching.