Don’t Shoot the Messenger, Get to the Root of the Problem
Jim Park’s Truck Talk
Volume 1 Number 14
It took a tragic accident in Glen Rock, PA to bring the problem with manually adjusting automatic brake adjusters to the industry’s attention. A loaded dump truck careened down a hill, striking several cars at the bottom, killing one person. The truck had less than 20 percent of it’s normal braking capacity, experts say, because its automatic brake adjusters had all back right off.
The adjusting mechanisms were all badly worn due to repeated manual adjustments, and would not hold their settings. Repeated brake applications caused the adjuster to back off rather than tighten up.
It’s no secret that automatic slack adjusters are not to be manually adjusted except during installation and during a reline. Still, drivers and mechanics continue this dangerous practice. Here, two experts from Bendix explain the hazards of making manual adjustments to automatic brake adjusters.
To save to your desktop right click and choose Save Target As (8.1 MB, 17:46)
Media Player
|
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.