Hi all, when you are to use the shunt button. To you need to release the parking break or does the shunt button supersede this? Same when hitching up, if the Shunt button is pushed in but the parking break is on, will the trailer roll??
Unless you’re a shunter it’s best not to use the shunt button.
bald bloke:
Unless you’re a shunter it’s best not to use the shunt button.
Never used it to be honest but wasn’t sure if you still had to release parking brake to use it?? Doing a drop today where you have to drop trailer and move one of bay to put original back, someone told me to use the shunt button…
Without going too technical the shunt is a facility to move a trailer without connecting the air lines to it. This is useful for short yard moves (hence shunt) or tight reverses or turns where you might snap the lines. The shunt will reset automatically when you connect the lines back up afterwards.
Yes you need the parking brake on the trailer pushed in, to shunt, it supersedes everything. Always pulling the red trailer parking brake knob out before doing anything else when hitching or dropping a trailer will ensure the trailer doesn’t runaway. Once hitched doublecheck the parking brake in the cab is on before pushing to release the red park brake knob on the trailer.
If you’re ever in the catwalk and connecting the lines and everything starts to move disconnect the red line and the trailer brakes will automatically apply.
Own Account Driver:
Without going too technical the shunt is a facility to move a trailer without connecting the air lines to it. This is useful for short yard moves (hence shunt) or tight reverses or turns where you might snap the lines. The shunt will reset automatically when you connect the lines back up afterwards.Yes you need the parking brake on the trailer pushed in, to shunt, it supersedes everything. Always pulling the red trailer parking brake knob out before doing anything else when hitching or dropping a trailer will ensure the trailer doesn’t runaway. Once hitched doublecheck the parking brake in the cab is on before pushing to release the red park brake knob on the trailer.
If you’re ever in the catwalk and connecting the lines and everything starts to move disconnect the red line and the trailer brakes will automatically apply.
Thanks, that answers my question
If you do use the shunt button, just be aware that some trailers haven’t had the shunt button operated for donkey’s years and it can stick in, even when the airlines are connected (which should pop the shunt button out). This is not only a nuisance, but potentially very dangerous if someone drops the trailer and doesn’t apply the handbrake.
Quick push of the shunt button is good for those times in a w&d where the pin just won’t release if you can’t reverse straight back.
Unless you are aware of how it works, I would suggest that it is best not to use it at all as forgetting to pull it back out can lead to dangerous circumstances.
Lusk:
Unless you are aware of how it works, I would suggest that it is best not to use it at all as forgetting to pull it back out can lead to dangerous circumstances.
Another reason why ALL DRIVERS NEED TO DO a walk round trailer check prior to pick up checking trailer PARK BREAKS are ON
A company which I have worked for used to park their trailer on a slope so when it came to hitching up, drivers used to back under and there werent any issues because the trailer brakes were applied. Now the trailers are parked on a level surface, it’s a whole different ball game and I totally agree with you that checks should be done before coupling up.
Thanks for the replies. Unused it last night and it was handy as I had to do some quick swapping and yes remembered to check it was back out when finished.