Floating Gears

And when you think you have it down pat (floating) try it in a tanker, where you not only have to match rpm's and speed but toss in the added variable of the load surge. The we will se how good you really are at floating.

 

Well in 370,000 miles my Eaton 15 over never even squeaked and I don't know how to use a clutch so that's just a load of manure. Go ahead, believe it, wear out the throwout bearing.

 

I learned to float gears in CDL school lol C1 down in Newport,AR.Bunch of good ole boys.The double clutchin was drivin me nuts and I said something about "if I didn have to use this &^#$)#$(^&#$(* clutch I'd be fine" so he showed me how to float gears.It was like I saw Jesus lol I was amazed and have always floated from then on.I only have 2 years on me so I'm still green but I can drive,sing,smoke,look at my mirrors and still hit the hole at the same time lol I know if you don't have the RPMs right it ain't goin in easy if at all regardless of wether you use the clutch or not,never force anything on the truck to do anything especially the tranny.If it doesn't slide in like butter you mucked it up try again.Don't rush an force it and it'll be fine.

 

I took my put my last truck into the shop (KW dlr in Houston) last Jan for some minor work. While there I wanted them to adjust the clutch break. The called me the next day and said that they could adjust it but that it was pretty wore out as was the whole clutch. Said I should think about replacing the whole thing. I then asked if it was normal for these things to wear out he said yes. He then asked me how many miles I had on the clutch, may answer...what does the odometer say..there was some slience as he didn't believe me. He said that most trucks have had a couple of clutches at this point. My next statement was I guess I got my moneys worth then. He laughed and said oh yeah. I had them relace the clutch. Milage 920,000 (all but about the first 1000 mine). Moral of the story.. floating gears will not hurt the clutch if done right.

 

Ok guys if your gears are floating you made the wrong turn on a bridge. just my opinion. LOL I have a friend who #### near refuses to use the clutch. it was pretty comical when his pete went down for repairs and he had a rental. he was cussing up a storm that he couldn't manage to float the gears the way he wanted too. After a week he had a talk with the truck ( his words) and they reached an understanding. he sat there forcing it in and out of gear till he loosened it up. Took him a solid hour of jamming it in to make it work. I just laughed at him

 

I do both ... I was taught to double when I first got my Class 1, and I have since taught myself to float. I remember when I went for a drive with the Driving/Safety Instructor at Dowell many years ago, he would float ... always at the exact RPM needed, up or down. Every shift was a smooth as a hot knife through butter (no Ron-Mars, not that kind of hotknife ), and he never even tickled the gears ... every shift perfect.

About the only time I use the clutch for shifting now is when my tranny is cold (especially so when I'm empty or bobtailing ... the momentum of a loaded truck makes shifting easier), or sometimes if I'm real heavy and starting out.

 

I personally never floated alot. Normally I only floated when i was empty or bobtail. for some reason it was just easier to do then. My T-600 floated real easy but my cornbinder was tighter than a virgin on prom night.

 

Watch this guy, He is obviously ety, and is driving w/his shoes off, pretty standard procedure for a 2 stick. You can feel the pedal and apply PRESSURE, not just floor it. He probably never pushed it to the floor. I drove a # stick w/a 400Cummins and it was turned up so hot youcould melt the turbo in CO by flooring it, you watched the Pyrometer and ran it 1900 degrees or under. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7d6OZs8cI8&feature=related

 

Just listen to that big CAT whistle.

 

we had to double clutch in school... now I float most of the time.

the old saying was... 25mph is 2+5 = 7 you want 7th gear.

35mph is 3+5 = 8 you want eighth gear.

45mph is 4+5 = 9 you want ninth gear.

80mph down hill... wake your co-driver up... he's gonna wanna see this...

That is to funny....