Posted by Billy NY on August 16, 2011 at 11:13:20 from (74.67.3.54):
I have always been curious as to why so many truck drivers use their Jacob Engine Brake so much, especially when you don't need to, like on flat or non slope grades etc.
Habits I have noticed, since they are hauling across the street from the new TSC site, is some of these drivers will use it to downshift right to almost a standstill. Others just depend on it even just on the flat. Well I suppose the point of this paragraph, is overusing it detrimental to the engine in any way? Besides being annoying to those who live directly on the road, say like the guy who works nights LOL !
The other thing is late at night in towns, hamlets etc. whereas the homes that were built long ago are directly on the road, or within 50 feet, and some of these modern trucks have 6" ( I thought that was big ) or even 8" stacks and drivers use the full engine brake (I recall ones that had 3 stages) and rattle people out of their beds. One local town that I haul through has signs citing an ordinance making it unlawful to use a engine brake within the town limits, and based on the grade, there is no need to use one, or is my opinion. Also with the old 3 stage type, old timer to use all 3 at once, don't use 1 or 2, this was a long time ago, supposedly for even wear or some darned thing.
My experience is with both tractor trailer, tri-axle dump, and most kinds of trucks, spent many years driving when younger, and can recall driving trucks that did not have engine brakes, but also carried heavy loads like the long wheel base R model Mack I hauled flatbed loads of lumber with from the rail yard and industrial parks whereas I wished I had one, 300+ mack 9 spd fuller, and I can recall knowing how to feather those brakes to not over heat them on long downgrades, that is where I thought engine brake use was appropriate. One place I worked, had a 4300 International with a 400 cummins, 10 spd fuller that cavitated, we had the shop across the street rebuild it and install a 3 stage engine brake, it would practically toss you out of the seat, (manner of speaking, it was strong).
I've also tried using the engine brake when downshifting, it slows the rpms but all trucks are different, sometimes it does this too fast and you are locked out, fiddling to get back into a gear that will mesh. Mack R's, DM's with those old school, twin stick, 5 or 6 speed transmissions worked well doing this, though not necessary, seemed a lot of drivers did this for downshifting, be it a good habit or bad. I always tried to get used to the RPM range that worked well (spread)for shifting a particular truck and prided myself on learning same so shifting was smooth, some drivers could care less and abuse transmissions, though the engine brake is handy for it, is it bad practice to do so ?
I realize that in combination with your brakes, you save quite a bit of wear on same, and with some of the heavy loads I've hauled, it would seem unsafe not to have an engine brake, (30 tons of asphalt into a tri-axle for example is a big ole monkey on your back) We used to get some slack about weight on state road jobs when they needed them done, was even pulled over by a state trooper and in not so many words was told, just keep your mudflaps on, lights working and those brakes in order, all you have to worry about !
Trucks have changed quite a bit, I've driven quite a bit of the older models, like AutoCar, Mack, International, Freightliner, White, with all the varying engine and transmissions, not so much of modern ones, latest I think I drove was a '01 Freightliner.
What say you, good habit, what is overuse and what is correct use of an engine brake today or back then?
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