Question for the old timers

My dad had a particular shift that was smooth as glass. On a 2 lane when coming into a town with a 45 mph speed limit, he slip the brownie into neutral and slowly, really slowly wind it up to match the speed for under, then he would gently slide it into under. If you weren't paying attention, it didn't seem like he shifted. It was all so subtle that you couldn't hear it. The effort to shift, you really didn't see it and you certainly didn't feel it!

 

Top hand bean.
One of my favorite driving jobs was hauling logs in the PNW. Had the opportunity to run a set of sticks 2 yrs ago. Like riding a bike.

 

Well that's the Armstrong steering you've heard about.

 

learned that by trial and error on schlumberger's equipment

every time with the slow shifting mack

c

Im glad i learned by trial and error and not some trainer holding my hand

 

Ok, re: using the clutch. Most of those old trucks had clutches that would give you "Charley Horses" in your leg. I drove an Rrrr model Mack, that I had to have both feet on the pedal at a stop. I just got used to not using it. The boss didn't like that, because he claimed, not using the clutch caused a groove on the input shaft splines.
As far as shifting while off road, I've done plenty of off road stuff with dump trucks with 2 sticks. A particularly weak Louisville Ford tri-axle with a 3208 non-turbo boat anchor and a 5 and a 4, I found out, not a good idea to shift when loaded, find a gear that will hold the terrain, and crawl along. I thought I heard, 2 ( or 3 or 5) sticks was illegal, because it took away from the drivers attention. I heard that on a truckstop internet, so it must be right.

 

Winch Tractors usually have a second hand valve. That way you can hold a brake application on the tractor while running the winch without having your foot on the treadle or setting the maxi’s.