Funny isn’t it. (I have just returned to driving after many years so I suppose I notice things more)
Most artic drivers (no matter how experienced) will have to take at least one shunt and pause a couple of times, when reversing into a tight spot.
But actual shunters (real ones in dock spotters in big yards) would rather drink drain fluid than be seen to take a shunt or pause once they start a reverse
Welcome, nice first augument provoking post.
Firstly regular shunters don’t need to take shunts cos they’re used to the trailer/premises/layout/etc, and proper tugs have proper auto gearboxes, the automated manual boxes as fitted to the vast majority of modern vehicles are totally unfit for tight or hard maneuvering.
Give an arsetronic boxed tractor unit to a regular tug driving shunter and not only will you be shocked and deafened by every four letter word in the universe, you’ll see stops pauses (whilst the poxy engine/gearbox/clutch get their act together) lots of shunts and hard landings onto loading docks, more swearing, slammed doors kicked tractor units and up and down arguments in the office, probably ending up with broken teeth behind the desk for some admin clerk who was too sarky for his own good once too often.
I shunt for one week out of every seven, the rest of the time I’m a tramper. In the Terberg I’m on the bay first time every time, partly because as Juddian says I am familiar with the site, but mostly because it’s easy in a Terberg as it has great visibility and lightening quick steering. Put me back in my road unit and I’ll often put a shunt in. There are lots of factors as to why but one of the main ones is that I’m a bit OCD about the positioning, I need it dead centre or I’m not happy with it. That probably says more about me than it does about my reversing skills tbh.
I too did a bit of shunting in my last job and although very familiar with the yard I’d put that trailer on easier and quicker with the Terburg as it had better steering lock amongst other things .
Pffft who cares.
Getting on the bay, to the drop, successfully, safely and damage free is more important then how many times i shunt.
Il shunt ten times if i want, and youll wait. The more people flap there arms the slower il go.
How does one triple de-clutch…
Why would I do it?
just curious like
yourhavingalarf:
How does one triple de-clutch…Why would I do it?
On the subject, the only time I ever drove a lorry where you had to double declutch was when I training for class 1.(going back to the year dot). It was an old Bedford TK. You had to double d when changing down. Could be an awkward sod.
I remember there was an OD who used to park in the same yard. He had an old Transcontinental monster (it was old even then). Driving this, you had to double d up and down. Apparently it was one hard motor to drive.
just curious like
Only truck I managed to get onto a bay first time at Bradford was a old Volvo FM 58 plate.
Absolute Tosh. Shunters do it all day every day in a terdberg designed specifically for that job it’s easier than a unit. When you do it all day you know exactly where to position it and have excellent visibility. It’s got nothing to do with not being seen to take a shunt or two. In fact occasionally I take a shunt even in the tug on a bad day.
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quite Simcor, the only tractor i’ve ever used long term that could match a tug for maneuverabilty and ease of use for shunting duties was a day cab 113 Scani, obviously with a manual box, what a brilliant little motor that was probably the best urban delivery tractor ever made with the best in class all round vision, and a steering lock so tight it would near enough go sideways, had it been fitted with a hydraulic fifth wheel and lifter it would run a close second to a Terberg for permanent shunting duties.
Compared to purpose designed simple lorries like those its a nightmare trying to get into some places with modern sleeper units saddled with unfit for anything but top gear running 
gearboxes.
Shutters also do shocking amounts of damage. I’ll stick with taking my time 
switchlogic:
Shutters also do shocking amounts of damage. I’ll stick with taking my time
Maybe you should check they have fully opened first…?
As a driver you probably only reverse a few times a day. Once in the yard in the morning. Once at the delivery. Maybe once or twice when parking up.
Shunters probably do between four and ten trailer movements per hour. Ten hours (twelve hour shift), that can be as much as a hundred reverses a day. 4 or 5 day week… Even 4 per hour is 40 reverses a day. 200 a week.
switchlogic:
Shutters also do shocking amounts of damage. I’ll stick with taking my time
Fair point, I’ll grant you that. Shunters tend to be in a unique position to cover these mishaps over and usually blame them on the mythical “agency guy”!
I feel like I need to do a stint shunting at some point, as my limp allows! 
Up until this thread I never really contemplated that it might be easier in a tug, as swearing at my unit I thought was standard, and I’ve always been impressed at how easy the shunters make it look, so been somewhat intimidated… 
So how do I hide the damage? 
Evil8Beezle:
So how do I hide the damage?
I refer the court to my post above M’lud.
Its easy in a Terberg (other makes are available)or something similair, as they are very short, have a massive lock, and alround visible.
I know shunter who change approx 50 trailers in a 12 hour shift, if you cant do it than you will never be able to do it.
Have seen a video of a unmanned shunter, needs les space as it calculate the most economic route to shunt, doesn’t need a cab either.
It’s the future, they only thing they need to learn it now, is lying about damage, parking trailers in a way nobody can hook up to it, without dragging the legs, parking in a way that the damage is hidden, and being rude and nasty to visiting drivers.
You ever wondered why shunters are the most grumpy people in the world.
caledoniandream:
You ever wondered why shunters are the most grumpy people in the world.
Oi, I resemble that remark! . Judging by the amount of coffees that visiting drivers buy me I reckon that I must be doing something right. I’m NOT the yard policeman, I won’t chastise anybody for speeding, not wearing steelies , not wearing a hi vis etc for the simple reason that I don’t care.
Like a lot of things it all comes down to the attitude test; I greet every single driver with a cheery “good morning/afternoon” and expect that to be reciprocated. If a driver just grunts or ignores me then all bets are off as far as I’m concerned. I’m a lorry driver first and foremost and totally understand that it may be someone’s first visit and will go out of my way to explain procedures etc to them, all I ask in return is civility.
Aren’t shunters the guys with a clipboard that (don’t) always know where all the trailers are? That think the yard belongs to them and insist in dragging trailers round, scrubbing the tyres in the process? That often treat a polite request asking where they want a particular trailer as if you’ve questioned his ability to ■■■■■■■■ satisfy his wife/girlfriend/partner?
the nodding donkey:
switchlogic:
Shutters also do shocking amounts of damage. I’ll stick with taking my timeMaybe you should check they have fully opened first…?
Touchè