Pass or Fail?

I have participated in TTA (Tennnessee Trucking Association) events with the CVSA and have never seen that. No way in my opinion should anyone be pulling a charged line loose.

A pump down can accomplish the exact same thing. And then you can check that the valve is fully closed after the valves are activated. In addition the yellow knob may or may not pop in that method of testing.

 

You got it.

 

Low air pressure warning: you must get a light and/or tone between 55-75psi. Doesn’t have to be both. Any light or tone for low air.

Compressor cut out: compressor must cut out before the needle exceeds 140psi. Not the sneeze. The needle must settle

Compressor cut in: compressor must cut in before the needle drops below 100psi. Needle rising at 100psi is a pass

Applied brake air leakage test: you can not exceed 4psi in 60sec.

Spring break test: both tractor protection valve and trailer emergency brake must fully pop out between 20-45psi

Those are the correct answers here in California.

 

If CVSA inspectors aren't doing it they are violating their training and protocol. Pulling a charged line is not dangerous if you just turn your head or wear eye protection. It's not enough pressure to make the line go crazy and whip around and hurt you.
Whether a pump down will accomplish the same thing or not (And it will not, for instance how would you check for trailer gladhand output immediately) is immaterial. A protocol has been established by the CVSA and it should be followed by all so that it's always done the same way and it's fair to everyone. The yellow button may or may not pop, and may pop at a lower pressure or at the same pressure. Either way, it's not required.

 

You could also damage the glad hand seal. Inject oil into your skin.

I no longer do that, but I may put a bug into one of the Troopers I see around about looking into that.

 

The ?? is how to get them to pop out now. Lol. I know..

How would it damage the seal?? They can't fly out from the disconnect. How would you inject oil into your skin?? How long have you even been around trucks or heavy equipment? I probably don't even need to ask, really.

 

I guess its possible to damage a seal. I've pulled literally hundreds off over the years without damaging a seal and if I ever do, I'll spend the necessary 30 seconds to replace it. You are overreaching suggesting one can inject oil under the skin with the wide area, relatively low pressures and volumes involved. If worried about it, put your gloves on.

 

Ha! Well for me, after the applied leakage test you just fan them down until that very satisfying “pop” happens. If both pop at the same time you just announce the pressure to the examiner. “Mr. Examiner both valves popped out at 25psi therefore this is a good test since both valves popped out between 20 and 45psi.”

If you’re by yourself and you recite that out loud maybe you should go to the TS lunch counter and talk to some people because you’re going insane.

 

Most of the level ones I have been given, they just want to hear the buzzer come on and maybe see the trailer valve pop. Never worried about the tractor.

 

I turned sharp into a Loves fuel spot and the spring that held the air hoses up sagged due to all of our noobie u-turns. Well the air hose grabbed hold of the lugs on the tractor mainframe thing and tore off. Right at 60 pressures that thing buzzed the hell out of me until I got it parked in front of the mechanic show out of the way from the fuel island. Then In the morning I got my ### chewed for not waking people up when that happened. I assumed everyone loved to sleep as much as me.