Transmission Retarder?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by SlugLife, Dec 8, 2013.

  1. JCordle

    JCordle Bobtail Member

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    Nov 4, 2013
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    If you pull the stick back with the jack slowing you down
    It will drop 2 gears and go into the brake mode.
    Which will keep the rpms up high and down shift as you slow. It was awesome coming off the interstate on some off the short exits. I always used it. (On dry ) roads.
     
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  3. skeeter11

    skeeter11 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 16, 2013
    southeast louisiana
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    Noticed a couple say they run auto all the time. Watch that as it'll drop ya out of gear on the ecoroll function sometimes when you don't expect it.
     
  4. SlugLife

    SlugLife Light Load Member

    So after spending some time running around with it I've figured out volvo does like to use the same symbol for everything. It's an engine brake tho. Still haven't used the AUTO feature on it tho. Read the manual and it reads like you get no engine brake unless you hit the brake. Seems weird but I'll try it out.
     
  5. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Yukon, OK
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    Count yourself lucky.... you have a manual to read...
     
  6. king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

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    Johannesburg sa
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    Retarders are pretty standard all round the world now.Huge advances from the 70's.They are very good and outperform the engine brake by leaps and bounds.Not much hassles either.
     
  7. SLANT6

    SLANT6 Road Train Member

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    The Nut House
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    Back in the day, ran a '76 Pete, 3406, 13 speed, with a hydraulic clutch retarder. Had a small lever on the L/S of the steering column, opposite the trailer brake. It took nothing to heat it up into the red zone on the dash gauge. Was not worth what the company paid for it, then again we were running about 105,000.
     
  8. king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

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    They have improved a lot.They now nearly all fit on the rear of the gearbox a bit tile a PTO but are actually part of the box.One man can lift the whole thing up , I guess about 100LBS.They are just a pump that pumps the gearbox oil through a restriction of varied degrees.There is a heat exchanger fed from the radiator so the heat is dissipated through the engines cooling system.Really effective and almost trouble free.If in hilly area of operating heavy they are a treat.It worries me a bit when drivers have only ever driven with a retarder as it makes descents to easy and they lose respect I fear.
     
  9. JR OTR

    JR OTR Light Load Member

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    Jan 13, 2009
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    Guy I used to drive with was from South Africa and they use retarders there -- sounded much more effective than jakes here. He was always puzzled why we didn't have them as standard equipment here in the States.
     
  10. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Yukon, OK
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    I suspect because retarders are quieter than jakes, that's why they haven't caught on over here. You know, the whole "Loud Pipes Save Lifes" thing going on...
     
  11. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    Well luckily mine is an old fashioned 10 speed manual!
     
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