New driver having trouble

Perfect advice.

 

I have two hills I have to deal with every day, both has lights at the top of them and I usually get stuck in the middle stopped by the light behind traffic.

I let out the clutch without taking my other foot off the brake until I feel the engine slow a bit, then I take my foot off the brake and let out the clutch a bit more, feeding the throttle to get the revs up, then I let out the clutch when I start to move, increasing the throttle till I'm moving.

The key to all of it is not to panic and to what is called "modulating" the clutch to get it to hold the truck/load on the hill enough to get the revs up, you don't need to burn the clutch, there is a lot that can be done to make it easier on the clutch but overall you have to relax, take your time in taking the clutch out to get the right amount of friction to hold the truck and then get on the throttle.

What the shaking (actually it is called a shudder) is all about is the fight between the drive line, engine and the force holding it all back, the engine is struggling to go one way with low revs, the drive line wants to go the other way because the force that is holding it back and the entire truck just shudder all over because of it. Torque is what makes the fight happen, a lot of torque happening.

I had a truck today loaded to the max - about 105k - and had no problems with the hills using this method, I got stuck four times on those hills at the lights, almost in the middle every time.

 

I am confused. are you driving a tandem/tri axle straight dump OR are you pulling an end dump? I pull an end dump but have driven dump trucks. semantics perhaps but best of luck finding that right amount of clutch release as you apply throttle. takes a little time regardless of straight truck dumping or pulling an actual trailer.

here's to all of your dump areas being level and firm-

 

The other folks who answered have good advice. My humble addition to it is the amount of play on the gas and clutch. We all know the routine, ease off the clutch as you depress the accelerator. just how much of a ratio depends on several factors such as how steep is the incline you are on and most of all how heavy your load is. Also, don't be afraid to move out in the lowest gear. its easier to up shift the risk stalling because you started moving in second or third when you should have started in first.

 

I feel your pain. Try to time the light so you don't have to stop. I watch the light on the cross street, usually you can see
the light changing to yellow than red so you know you will soon get the green light. If you time it right, slow down before
you get to the intersection, put the truck in the lowest gear, you should be able to go on without actually stopping. You
may have noticed other drivers "crawling" up hill to the intersection, he is trying to time the light just right so he doesn't
have to stop on the hill.

If you let out the clutch abruptly the engine will stall. If you let the clutch out partially till the engine starts bogging
down a little, hold the clutch right there for just a second. This allows the engine governer to start applying more fuel
to the engine, than release the clutch completely. If you can learn this you should rarely have to apply the throttle
as you are releasing the clutch. Most diesel engines have a significant amount of idling torque. It is not like the
compact car you may have had as a kid. You should not have to give it throttle to release the clutch.

Good luck with your job. After the first year it gets easier.

 

Excellent advice. I have found that many drivers don't realize their clutches are out of
adjustment. Many mechanics don't seem to understand how to adjust a clutch. Many
company owners seem to think it doesn't matter. I drove a neighbors dump truck, told
him the clutch was so far out of adjustment it was starting to slip. He knew it all, didn't
need me to tell him anything. Two weeks later the dealer had the truck because it
wouldn't go anymore. $2400.00 later.....

How often a clutch needs to be adjusted varies on driving conditions, who the driver is.
In extreme conditions maybe every couple months, to maybe twice a year. Over the road
trucks that don't do many stops maybe even less.

 

Start in the right gear and keep your foot off the go pedal 'till you have the clutch out.
I drive a ten speed and routinely pull off from a stop on a fairly steep grade loaded in the 100,000-105,000 GVW range with no problems.
I can usually take off in second gear and make a quick shift to third to get rolling,truck is a Mack ,stock 475hp and governed .

 

MrGreen, making the Cool Kids look cooler.