Advice on pulling heavy loads........

Best advise I could give you is respect the weight your hauling and take everything slower than you would in a normal rig..Ie: if a sign says 45mph curve take it at LEAST 5mph slower...At least till you see how the loads react in curves.

 

Just drop it in 9th and hit the Jakes. If need be, you could stab brake 3 seconds at a time to control your descent.

 

I prefer to neutral bomb it down the pass. Let it role is my moto

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116k Iron Wolf Brushhog/ Colo. mts./Pipeline Const.
It's not a job it's an adventure.

 

I figure that any rig that sees 50 ton on a regular basis will have either low gearing, or big power. Either way, when you start off, to save the drivetrain, start off in granny the first time. If she's geared right or has loads of power, you may be able to start off in a higher gear. Clutch engagement should be smooth. If she shudders when you release the clutch, you are in too high of a gear.

In granny, even with 100000lbs, you should be able to let off the clutch, and the torque of the motor without you giving any throttle should be enough to get you started moving. Even with big HP, let the gears do the work on the bottom end.

 

Don't get in the habit of "stab braking". Grade descent is about the right gear, and light steady brake pressure (and an engine brake if so equipped) Your brakes should not be hot; never mind overheated if done properly.

 

heavyhaul going down a steep hill. the best and only way is to get in a gear that the jake or retarder will hold it back PERIOD!! save the brakes for that stop. I've went down wolf creek pass and some other hills a lot worse a few times at 7mph or slower grossing over 140000lbs or more and never hit my brakes once. if you have to stab brakes or touch your brakes at all(except to STOP!) hauling heavy on a steep hill, your going to fast PERIOD!!

 

I always thought that stabbing the brakes every 45 seconds was called fanning the brakes...a definite No, No...

 

That is what they teach in driving schools.