When air pressure is insufficient
(below 534 kPa [60 psi]), a warning
light illuminates and a buzzer
sounds when the ignition is in the
ON position.
This condition may be caused by excessive brake applications depleting
the system air pressure. If this condition occurs, stop driving the vehicle
until the compressor has fully recharged the air system. Do not move the
vehicle in this condition because the brake system may be inoperative.
Select a gear ratio to help slow your vehicle before descending grades.
Supplement with brakes as required to safely slow the vehicle and avoid
overspeeding the engine.
Air chamber stroke indication
All Ford air chamber push rods have orange stroke indicator stripes that
alert the operator when the braking system requires adjustment or
repair. The orange stripe is painted on the air chamber push rod at the
slack adjuster readjustment stroke dimension.
Air brake inspection and adjustment should be performed by a qualified
service technician in accordance with the instructions in the Ford Truck
Service Manual.
Cam brakes—automatic slack adjusters
Standard air brakes (cam) are
equipped with automatic brake
adjusters. Automatic adjustment
occurs during forward and reverse
brake applications. Inspect brakes
for proper adjustment at the
intervals listed in the vehicle Service
Maintenance Guide.
!
BRAKE
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89
Emergency air brake
All vehicles are equipped with a dual brake system. In the unlikely event
of a failure of one system, the second system will function for emergency
stopping. These systems are all controlled by the brake pedal in the
same manner as for normal stops.
Do not continue to operate the vehicle with a failure of one of
the systems. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service
immediately.
Anti-lock braking system (if equipped)
For information on the anti-lock braking system (ABS), refer to
Hydraulic brakesin this chapter.
Driving with ABS
The ABS system functions just like a standard air brake system. Maintain
a steady brake pedal application; you do not need to pump or remove
your foot from the pedal. The ABS keeps the wheels rolling during
braking to maintain control and reduce stopping distances.
Parking brake
Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the parking brake.
Always set the parking brake fully AND make sure the gearshift
selector is in R (Reverse) for vehicles equipped with manual
transmission or N (Neutral) for vehicles with automatic transmission.
Unexpected and possible sudden vehicle movement may occur if
these precautions are not taken.
If the service brakes should fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion,
you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake. The stopping
distance, however, will be much greater than normal. Repairs should be
made immediately to an inoperative air brake system circuit.
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90
Parking brake control
Pull the yellow parking brake knob
out to apply the parking brake. Push
the knob in to release the parking
brake.
This control is used for
parking only. Do not leave
the vehicle unattended after
setting the parking brake without
placing the transmission in R
(Reverse) for manual transmission
or N (Neutral) for automatic
transmission. Use of wheel chocks
is also recommended in hilly or
off-road usage.
Releasing spring brake with air pressure
The air system in all vehicles with spring-actuated rear wheel parking
brakes is equipped with a tank valve located on the supply or service air
tank for connection to an outside air supply. The valve permits the
system to be recharged with air from an outside source, releasing the
spring-actuated parking brakes. The vehicle may then be towed in an
emergency.
An outside air source can be used only if the protected system is in
operating condition. If air pressure cannot be restored in the protected
air system, the spring-actuated brakes must be released manually.
Releasing spring brake manually
Do not attempt to disassemble the parking brake chamber under
any circumstances. The high spring load may cause serious
injury if the chamber clamps are removed.
If air pressure is released from the spring brake chamber the power
spring applies the brake and, unless air pressure can be re-established,
the spring brake must be released as follows in order to move the
vehicle.
PARKING
BRAKE
PULL TO
RELEASE
APPLY
PUSH TO
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91
Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Unexpected and possibly sudden vehicle movement may occur if
these precautions are not taken.
Impact wrenches should not be used as they may damage the piston and
prevent proper caging of the spring. Do not apply more than 68 Nm (50
lb-ft) torque to the release bolt nut.
1. Remove the stud tool and nut
from the carrying pocket on the
brake chamber assembly.
2. Remove the access plug from the
end of the spring chamber.
3. Insert the release stud through
the opening in the chamber and into
the spring pressure plate.
4. Turn the release stud one-quarter
turn to engage the stud tangs with
the slot in the pressure plate. Keep
the stud engaged and install the nut
on the release stud.
5. Tighten the nut until the spring is
fully caged and the brakes are
released. Do not loosen or remove
the release stud and nut unless the brake chamber is completely
assembled and is securely clamped.
6. When the air pressure is restored, unscrew and remove the release
stud and install in the carrying pocket. Install the access plug.
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92
Trailer brake
During normal operation, the trailer brakes operate whenever the tractor
brakes are applied. A manual control lever is provided so the trailer
brakes can be applied separately, if required. To apply the trailer brakes,
pull the trailer brake control downward to the APPLIED position.
Do not use the trailer brake manual control lever for parking.
Trailer air supply control (MV-3) (Tractor package)
The MV-3 control module is a two-button, push-pull control valve housed
in a single body which includes a dual circuit supply valve and a check
valve.
Operation
During initial charge, with the system completely discharged, both
buttons are out.
When system pressure reaches
448 kPa (65 psi), the red control
(trailer supply) may be pushed in
and should stay in, charging the
trailer system and releasing the
trailer brakes.
The yellow control (parking brake)
may now be pushed in, which will
supply air to the tractor spring
brakes, releasing them.
TRAILER
AIR SUPPLY
NOT FOR PARKING
PULL
TO
TOEVACUATE
PUSH
SUPPLY
PARKING
BRAKE
PULL
TOAPPLY
PUSH
TORELEASE
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93
Normal operating position
With both controls pushed in, air is supplied to the trailer and to the
tractor spring brakes; all brakes are released.
Actuation of trailer parking or emergency brakes
To actuate the trailer brakes only,
pull out the red control (trailer air
supply), exhausting the trailer
supply line. The trailer brakes are
now applied either by air emergency
or spring brakes, depending on the
type of trailer system. This mode
would be used to uncouple from the
trailer during bob-tail operation.
System park
With both controls in for normal run modes, the parking brakes on both
tractor and trailer may be actuated by pulling the yellow control (parking
brake) out, which exhausts the air from the tractor spring brakes and
simultaneously causes the red control (trailer supply) to pop out,
applying the trailer brakes. This complies with federal regulations stating
one control must apply all the parking brakes on the vehicle.
Trailer charge
If both controls are out when parking the combination vehicle and it is
desired to recharge the trailer (leaving the tractor spring brakes
applied), the trailer air supply control may be pushed in, repressurizing
the trailer supply line. This mode could also be used to park a
combination vehicle with air actuated emergency brakes on the trailer to
provide demonstrated parking capability with tractor spring brakes only.
Automatic application
With both controls in (in the normal run configuration), if the supply
pressure to the push-pull valves is reduced to approximately 240 to
310 kPa (35-45 psi), the red control (trailer supply valve) must pop out,
applying the emergency or parking brakes on the trailer. If the red
control is held in manually and the pressure decreases to approximately
172 to 240 kPa (25-35 psi), a tripper piston within the MV-3 valve will
move upward. This will exhaust the trailer supply, causing the required
TRAILER
AIR SUPPLY
NOT FOR PARKING
PULL
TO
TOEVACUATE
PUSH
SUPPLY
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94
N (Neutral)
This position can be used when starting the engine. The engine is
designed to start in the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position only. The
engine should be at idle speed when any shift from N (Neutral) to a
drive range is made.
The N (Neutral) position may also be used during stationary operation of
the Power Take-Off (PTO), if equipped.
Do not allow your vehicle to coast in N (Neutral). Engine
braking is not available in N (Neutral). Allowing your vehicle to
coast in N (Neutral) may result in loss of vehicle control and severe
internal transmission damage.
D (Drive—Normal driving position)
In this position, the transmission starts in first gear and automatically
shifts through second, third and fourth depending on load and speed
demands. When the vehicle is slowing down, the transmission will
automatically downshift. This range is used for highway driving under
normal conditions.
4 and 2 (Fourth and Second)
Use this position when road, load or traffic conditions make it desirable
to restrict the automatic shifting to a lower range. These ranges provide
greater engine braking than D (Drive). When conditions no longer
require these lower gears, shift back to D (Drive).
1 (First)
The transmission has to be manually shifted into 1 (First) and will not
shift into a higher gear. Use this position when pulling through mud or
snow, driving up steep grades, hauling extra heavy loads or where
maximum reduction is required.
Power take-off (PTO) operation with an Allison automatic
transmission (except MD applications and vehicles equipped with
a Caterpillar 3126E engine)
The power take-off can be operated while the vehicle is standing or
moving.
To engage the PTO, apply the brakes and shift to any gear other than N
(Neutral) - this stops the rotation of the PTO drive gear in the
transmission - then engage the PTO.
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If engagement is prevented by the gear teeth not meshing properly,
release the brakes and allow the vehicle to creep slightly - or shift the
selector to N (Neutral) and then back in gear. The PTO should never be
engaged by clashing the gear teeth. This may damage the PTO unit and
the transmission PTO drive gear teeth. This could result in further
damage to the transmission and PTO.
PTO operation with vehicle stationary
To operate the power take-off, stop the vehicle, idle the engine and set
the parking brake. Make sure the gear selector is in any forward drive
range, then engage the PTO. After the PTO is engaged for stationary
vehicle operation, move the range selector to N (Neutral). Increase the
engine speed until the desired power take-off operation speed is
obtained. To disengage the PTO after operation with the vehicle
standing, release the throttle, allow the drive equipment to come to a
stop, and then disengage the PTO.
When the PTO is operated with the vehicle stationary, the
transmission must be placed in N (Neutral). If the transmission
is not in N (Neutral) and is equipped with a remote throttle control, an
increase in engine speed can overpower the parking brake and cause
the vehicle to move, possibly resulting in personal and/or property
damage.
PTO operation while vehicle is moving
After the PTO is engaged for driven vehicle operation, shift to the
desired range and drive the vehicle. The speed of the PTO, during this
period of operation, will always maintain direct relation to vehicle speed.
PTO speed will decrease in relation to vehicle (transmission output)
speed as shifts to a higher gear occur. When operating the PTO while the
vehicle is moving, the PTO may be disengaged whenever it is no longer
required. When there is no load on the PTO gear, it can be pulled out of
engagement.
Power take-off (PTO) operation with an Allison automatic
transmission (MD applications)
The PTO drive gear is engine driven and provides direct engine power.
The PTO can be operated when the vehicle is either stationary or
moving.
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110