slowlane:
When I won’t be able to keep the ignition on for self levelling, for loading I have been raising the air on the unit first so that it doesn’t squat down so badly. Similarly if I’m being unloaded I’ll drop it first before the weight gets taken off.I’ve been doing this because it seems sensible, but am I actually being “kind” to the unit, or have I just had a failure of understanding air suspension and am simply fannying about?
As far as I know, the air suspension is not in any way subject to exceptional wear or damage during loading or unloading.
Putting aside the issue of tippers (where dumping the air is said to contribute to stability), the only time I have adjusted the air suspension for loading/unloading is to either level with the dock, or upon request to provide a sort of extra “gravity assist” for rolling the load on or off (i.e. for the opposite effect than the one you’re trying to achieve).
So I’d say generally you’re just fannying about. 