Re: Jake brakes

Posted by Old Sarge on May 30, 1999 at 07:01:17 from (209.240.197.22):

In Reply to: Jake brakes posted by Dick on May 29, 1999 at 19:53:13:

Being, myself an old truck driver, I will attempt to try to explainhow it works. A jake brake is a device that was invented by a Corp (Jacobs), that is tied into the fuel system electrically that turns off the fuel supply at the pump and reroutes it back to the fuel tanks. It additionally turns the engine into a compressor instead of an engine. Therefore the vehicle is running against compressed air, causing one heck of a racket. Especially on a Cummis 335, which was designed to be run without a muffler, but rather a can which ran across the truck frame and had the exhaust stacks attached to it. It reduces the wear on your brake shoes by as much as 75% when used properly. Especially when at high speeds and in need of an emergency stop.

There are several different models of these;
A single stage which affects all cylinders.
A three stage which affects, by use of a selector switch in the cab, either 2, 4, or all six cylinders of a cummins engine.

DO NOT install or attempt to install one of these on a Cat 1693 in line 6 engine. Doing so will be cause for an IMMEDIATE rebuild ofthe engine. These used a Flywheel retarder run of the trucks air system, and was far noisier than any Jake Brake ever built. Cat has since modified their engines to accomidate these devices, with the manufacture of the 346, and 3408 engines.

Hope this helps.

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