What are these "retarders" and how do

I love this GH, I had just read the other day about the sight, feel, smell thing. I know there is no comparing my small truck(Ford Ranger)but when I am going down say a really steep spot I am down in 3rd or maybe 2nd and I rarely need to hit my brake. It will be interesting to learn how to gauge it with something that weight 40 tons. It sure make sense to save those brakes for emergencies though. I've heard the term "jake brake" since I was itti bitti and never knew how or why they were on trucks.

Thanks for all the info, Denise

 

Jakes are a very useful tool, and When you can go down a hill like cabbage, solely on jakes, your doing good. I don't do it nor do I condone jaking everywhere you can, even with a muffled truck it gets annoying to the public, and jaking while shifting?? Thats just dumb.

 

Wonder how long it's gonna be before mr super trucker comes on here and says "I ALWAYS leave my jake on. Shift with it on all the time..."

 

That's what the book used to say (the instructions for the jake brake) - "Drive with it on at all times" circa 1977

 

JAKE BREAkS are not the same as a engine retarder and there much more efective and your right some citys have an ordnince againt useing a jake because of the noise but not all just a few , if im going down a good hill i use mine anyway but thats me .

take care and good luck.---southernpride

 

no kidding?? That's why I knew about it since I lived where there were trucks around all the time. Mostly logging but still. I remember I used to think the truckers were doing it on purpose to scare the #### out of me, LOL!!! Oh the good ole days! The highlite of being on the freeways was flirting with the truckers

 

Thanks SP, I will need it as I can see learning all the parts of a truck I need to know to inspect is just about the biggest thing I've taken on. As far as schooling anyway

 

Thanks, southernpride! I wasn't aware there was a difference. I assumed jakes and retarders were one and the same. A neighboring community has signs posted that engine retarders are prohibited within borough limits, and I can't help but to assume that would include jake brakes.

Is there a major difference, or were you refering to the difference between those manufactured by Jacobs versus those manufactured by other companies perhaps?

 

That is absolutely correct, but just like Kleenex and Phillips*, it has become a generic term for all such products.
Cummins also produces their own engine brake which is named "C Brake".
Volvo has their own version also, though the name escapes me.

*The cross tip screwdriver was invented by a Mr. Phillips.
More useless trivia: The trailer brake hand valve(called a trolley valve by some) was invented by a Mr. Johnson, hence the old term "Johnson bar".

 

Great question, thank you Ducks!