This question is mainly aimed at the more intelligent drivers here, not really aimed at us run of the mill hairy arsed (even the girls ) lorry driver types, mainly after the wisdom of those who have to fight numerous keen employers off with a crappy stick when they let it be known they are available
OK that’s a little gentle dig at one of our flock who’s trolling, i hope it is , is keeping us amused, but this is a genuine question because i’m wondering quite what the lorry training industry is doing for its money.
Had to explain the hows and whys of the following to another really nice young bloke today (not the first by a long chalk), another who was having trouble getting a vehicle into an awkward place, to be fair he understood and took it on board readily, but honestly he should have been shown long before he ever got let loose.
OK the question, you have to reverse (or drive cos similar grip problem) a loaded lorry (44 tone artic powered by 6x2 mid lift tractor unit in this case) up a tight turn sharp slope, the lorry keeps spinning one wheel momentarily and loses/cuts power, leading to clutch overheating, you can’t take a run at it cos too tight plus possible pedestrians and traffic passing so it’s a dead start.
What should one do to overcome the problem?
I’d like our younger and/or newer drivers to discuss this initially preferably please boys and girls, see if they’ve either been helped with instruction during training, or had to find out what works for themselves.
I’ve only been driving bendy’s for 3 years Clown, so maybe I could offer my two penneth.
During training I was not taught the following; air suspension issues, drivetrain issues, deep/shallow pin placement, sliding 5th wheel, Kalos valve etc.
A simple case of well done you’ve passed. Now send this bit of paper off…and ■■■■off and learn the job yourself. To answer your grip conundrum mate, I have found that dumping the air and intelligent use of the auto box in manual mode is the best/most effective way in conjunction with hill start button depressed for the inevitable moment when you end up stopping!
As regards the training, chocolate fire guard springs to mind
I find myself in this situation on an almost daily basis…
Engage the reversible flange gasket…a few revs…warp factor…9.5 …good to go…wash and rinse.
What was the question again?
It is unrealistic for a 5 day driving course for either class 2 or class 1 to cover all of the scenarios. Equally as unrealistic as a new driver being able to reverse into tight entrances to some sites from such a course. The reversing like everything else comes with time doing the job and practicing at every opportunity. The course fees would be too high a price to pay if they were to churn out drivers that were trained and ready for anything.
GORDON 50:
I was in a similar situation a few years ago but in a 4 x 2, dif lock sorted it, so if this was me it would be lift axle up and dif lock on.
The example given by Crusty was a loaded wagon so you wouldn’t be able to lift the mid.
GORDON 50:
I was in a similar situation a few years ago but in a 4 x 2, dif lock sorted it, so if this was me it would be lift axle up and dif lock on.
The example given by Crusty was a loaded wagon so you wouldn’t be able to lift the mid.
Let’s just hope that it wasn’t an MAN…
Reverse, around a corner, up a slope… (shudders…)
I’d try taking the weight off the midlift, switch the diff lock on, manual and try and gently ease her up the slope. If that still wasn’t working I’d be ■■■■out ideas and have to go and find help.
None of that was taught to me, but I’ve said on here before that I’ve always been dead keen on lorries so I was busy absorbing stuf from well before I could drive them.
Interesting replies so far, thankyou.
I will add the road surface is reasonably grippy there unless its actually wet from rain, tarmac onto concrete entrance, tight enough that you often have to put one steering wheel of the tractor onto the opposite kerb to get the vehicle in the gate at all.
I’m going to let this one run for while if thats ok before commenting on what i do in these circs…not saying i’m right by the way and each and every situation and state of ground will be different.
When i referred to training i wasn’t thinking of just the driving test training industry, more thinking of on the job training where possibly a bit more real life driving tips and a bit less box ticking might actually be to the company’s benefit
Donkey, yes the MAN of Doom , though to be fair once you carry out the right pre maneuver adjustments it romps in better than some others
GORDON 50:
I was in a similar situation a few years ago but in a 4 x 2, dif lock sorted it, so if this was me it would be lift axle up and dif lock on.
The example given by Crusty was a loaded wagon so you wouldn’t be able to lift the mid.
You could still hit the switch to transfer weight to the drive axle though. Some wagons will lift it others just take some weight off it.
If it helps 30 odd years ago, admittedly with a rigid, a lack of traction was resolved with a number of work mates (they’d be called ‘colleagues’ the days) jumping up and down above the wheel having issues until it caught and enabled the reverse. Of course this was before the days of H&S, but no-one ever got (badly) hurt
Juddian:
Interesting replies so far, thankyou.
I will add the road surface is reasonably grippy there unless its actually wet from rain, tarmac onto concrete entrance, tight enough that you often have to put one steering wheel of the tractor onto the opposite kerb to get the vehicle in the gate at all.
I’m going to let this one run for while if thats ok before commenting on what i do in these circs…not saying i’m right by the way and each and every situation and state of ground will be different.
When i referred to training i wasn’t thinking of just the driving test training industry, more thinking of on the job training where possibly a bit more real life driving tips and a bit less box ticking might actually be to the company’s benefit
Donkey, yes the MAN of Doom , though to be fair once you carry out the right pre maneuver adjustments it romps in better than some others
Are you talking about a drop in Bristol, I think. Slightly downhill and a normal, not blindside reverse? Uphill?
) lorry driver types, mainly after the wisdom of those who have to fight numerous keen employers off with a crappy stick when they let it be known they are available 
, is keeping us amused, but this is a genuine question because i’m wondering quite what the lorry training industry is doing for its money.
, though to be fair once you carry out the right pre maneuver adjustments it romps in better than some others 
