When operating empty or lightly loaded, sudden or hard braking
may induce wheel lockup with loss of vehicle control and the
possibility of accident and serious injury, especially on wet or slippery
road surfaces.
TRAILER TOWING
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully prior to and after any towing operation.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
2nd unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings. The
weight of the additional “body” must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Model Maximum
GVWR - lb.
(kg)Maximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)*
F-650 Regular/Super/Crew Cab 26000 (11793) 40000 (18143)
F-750 Regular/Super/Crew Cab 30000 (13608) 45000 (20412)
F-750 Regular/Super/Crew Cab 33000 (14969) 60000 (27216)
* Figures shown are the maximum available for each model. Actual
ratings may be less, depending on your transmission. Check with your
sales consultant for the exact rating on your vehicle.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle’s bumper or attach to the
axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15% of the
total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
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vehicle at least once a year. Remember that regular maintenance and
replacement of worn components will usually prevent serious problems
from developing later.
Making modifications to various parts, components and systems
of the vehicle, such as brake and steering systems can adversely
affect the quality, reliability and operation of your vehicle and could
result in property damage, personal injury or death. Such modifications
must be avoided.
The lubrication intervals present a good opportunity to inspect the
vehicle. It is suggested that the various points listed herein be checked
at the lubrication or other recommended intervals.
Failure to properly perform maintenance and servicing
procedures could result in vehicle damage, personal injury or
death.
If the owner/operator of the vehicle is a skilled technician and intends on
performing the vehicle maintenance and service, he is strongly urged to
purchase a service manual.
Take care when performing any maintenance, system check or
service on your vehicle. Some of the materials may also be
hazardous if used, serviced or handled improperly and could result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
Air conditioning system checks
Have your air conditioning system checked each spring. The refrigerant
charge, cleanliness of the condenser-evaporator cores and belt condition
are essential to air conditioning performance.
When the air conditioning system is being used daily, remove the fresh
air filter (if equipped) once each season and check for dirt, lint, etc.
Replace the filter if necessary. Vehicles operating in unusually dusty
conditions may require inspecting and replacing the fresh air filter more
often.
Front axle - general service information
Maintaining the front axle alignment to specifications is very important
and should only be performed by a qualified technician. Toe-in
adjustment is particularly important with radial tires.
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Check to make sure that the axle mounting U-bolt nuts, attaching or
mounting bolts and nuts are securely tightened. Regularly check front
axle for damage, binding, worn parts and adequate lubrication.
At regular intervals, or during other scheduled maintenance, (tire
rotation/service, wheel bearing service, alignment, etc.) the kingpins
should be checked for excessive wear. Refer to the service manual for
proper procedures.
Toe-in setting - general inspection
Inspecting steer axle tires in the first 3,000–10,000 service miles
(4,800–16,000 service km) will generally show if tires are wearing
normally.
Rapid outside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-in.
Rapid inside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-out. In
P&D-type service, left-to-right steer tire tread life differentials up to 40%
can be observed depending on routes and other variables.
Follow the tire manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure for
the tire size, load range (ply rating) and steer axle loading typical for
their operation (each steer axle tire will equal
1 2steer axle loading).
Special applications may warrant a setting based on past experience with
the type of tire operating loads and conditions. Radial tires are more
sensitive to toe-in setting than bias ply tires. While not insensitive to
vehicle alignment, fine tuning school bus alignment to line-haul truck
standards will not drastically improve tire tread life.
It is essential that correct toe-in and tire pressure be maintained for
optimum tire wear.
Rear axle - general inspection
Check to make sure that the axle mounting U-bolts, attaching or
mounting bolts and nuts are securely tightened. Refer toU-bolt nut
torquein this chapter. Regularly check the rear axle for damaged,
binding or worn parts.
NoSpin Detroit Locker positive locking differential
Vehicles equipped with this type differential have the operator’s manual
supplied with the vehicle. Refer to this manual for maintenance checks.
Brake system - general inspection
Your vehicle is equipped with non-asbestos brake linings. However,
exposure to excessive amounts of brake material (whether asbestos or
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Draining and refilling the rear axle lubricant
1. Drain the rear axle while the lubricant is warm.
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Set the parking brake and shift into N (Neutral) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
4. Clean any dirt from around the rear axle filler and drain plugs.
5. Remove the filler and drain plugs and drain the lubricant into a
suitable container. Dispose of all used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner following your local authorized standards.
6. Clean and install the drain plug securely.
7. Add enough lubricant through the filler plug opening so that the
lubricant level is up to the bottom of the opening.
8. Clean and install the filler plug securely.
WHEELS
General
Wheel bearings should be inspected, lubricated and adjusted at regular
intervals. This is especially important if operating in deep sand, mud, or
water. Refer toLubricant specificationsin this chapter.
When installing wheel balance weights, they must be mounted on the
dome-side of the wheel only. Failure to do so may result in loss of wheel
weight and/or damage to brakes or wheels.
Important:Remember to replace the wheel air valves when the road
tires are replaced at the end of their useful life.
Oil lubricated front wheel bearings
During normal vehicle duty cycle, the lube and air inside the hub/wheel
cavity expands and if not vented, causes pressure build-up that could
cause accelerated seal wear.
There are two venting methods:
•a slit or small hole in the rubber check vent or
•the window
You can use either of these methods to prevent pressure build-up.
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•Always loosen rim clamps before complete removal of nut from stud
(cast spoke wheels). With loosened nuts on stud, strike clamps with a
heavy hammer and be sure each clamp is loose.
•Always deflate tires completely before removing locks or side rings.
•Always inflate tires in a safety cage.
•Never mix rim side rings or lock rings of different types,
manufacturers or sizes.
•Never use cracked, bent or badly rusted parts.
•Never re-inflate flat tires on-vehicle; use the spare tire.
•Never add air until each side ring or lock ring is fully seated.
•Never hammer side ring or lock ring on a partially- or fully-inflated
tire.
Proper torque
It is important to tighten and maintain wheel and rim mounting nuts to
the proper torque. Loose nuts or over-tightened nuts can lead to
premature wear and possible failure of the wheel and/or mounting
hardware.
Changing wheel types
Consult your dealer or wheel/rim distributor before attempting any wheel
or fastener changes.
Use only the same type and style wheels and mounting hardware
to replace original parts. Failure to do so may result in an
assembly that looks fine, but does not fit together properly. This could
possibly cause wheel or fastener failures which could result in property
damage, personal injury or death.
Note:Do not attempt to mix stud-piloted wheels or fasteners with
hub-piloted wheels or fasteners.
Note:Do not change from aluminum wheels to steel wheels or
vice-versa without changing the mounting hardware required or, with
flange-nut mounting systems, changing the hub and stud assembly.
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Tire sizeLoad
rangeApproved
rim widthsAxle capacity
Front - lb.
(kg)/psi
(kPa)Rear - lb.
(kg)/psi
(kPa)
295/80R22.5 H8.2514400 (6531) /
120 (827)27760 (12591)
/ 120 (827)
9.0014780 (6704) /
120 (827)27760 (12591)
/ 120 (827)
Tire inflation information
All tires with Steel Carcass Plies (if equipped):
This type of tire utilizes steel cords in the sidewalls. As such, they
cannot be treated like normal light truck tires. Tire service, including
adjusting the air pressure, must be performed by personnel trained,
supervised and equipped according to Federal Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. For example, during any
procedure involving tire inflation, the technician or individual must
utilize a remote inflation device, and ensure that all persons are clear of
the trajectory area.
WARNINGAn inflated tire and rim can be very dangerous if
improperly used, serviced or maintained. To avoid serious injury,
never attempt to re-inflate a tire which has been run flat or seriously
under-inflated without first removing the tire from the wheel assembly
for inspection. Do not attempt to add air to tires or replace tires or
wheels without first taking precautions to protect persons and
property.
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Daily owner checks
EngineCheck the air filter restriction gauge.
Check the engine oil.
Inspect the coolant level (6.0L Power
Stroke engine; Caterpillar and
Cummins engines, refer to the
Owner’s Manual).
Brake systemCheck the air brake system reservoir
automatic drain valve operation.
Drain the air brake system reservoir -
manual valve.
Transmission systemVisually check the automatic
transmission for fluid leakage.
Steering systemCheck the power steering pump fluid
level and check the system for leaks.
Check the entire vehicle for evidence
of fluid leaks.
U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration
requirements (ensure that
the entire system is
functioning properly)Check the service brakes.
Check the parking brake.
Check the steering mechanism.
Check the lighting devices and
reflectors.
Check the tires.
Check the horn.
Check the windshield wipers.
Check the rear vision mirrors.
Check the wheels and rims.
Check the emergency equipment.
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Maintenance Operation Frequency - Observation
Inspect the automatic slack
adjuster functionInsufficient power shown in loaded
practice stop.
Check the operation of the
brakes, the clutch, and the
steering
(1),(2)
Vehicle handling qualities not up to
par.
Inspect the vehicle for missing,
damaged, or mislocated noise
shieldsExcessive noise emanates from under
the cab or engine compartment.
Check the engine performance
and the engine governorExcessive engine noise.
Inspect the fan, the fan shroud,
and the fan clutchEngine overheats, fans runs at high
speed constantly, excessive fan noise,
or fan wobble due to worn bearings.
Check for operation of ABS
warning lampAt each engine start up.
Inspect the entire exhaust
system (including inlet pipe,
muffler, outlet pipe and all
exhaust clamps and fasteners)
for holes, leakage, breakage,
looseness and corrosive
damageExcessive noise or the smell of fumes
is experienced.
Inspect the engine air
induction system (including the
air ducts and the air filter) for
loose fitting, damaged or
missing componentsExcessive noise emanates from the
engine compartment.
Inspect the tires and check the
air pressure
(3)Poor steering, wandering or excessive
tire wear.
Balance the wheels and the
tiresVibration or abnormal tire wear
indicates imbalance.
Check the front end alignment
(3)Poor steering, wandering or excessive
tire wear.
Check the transmission and
engine mountings
(2)Hard shifting or excessive vibration.
Check and adjust transmission
controls
(2)High effort to shift or noisy
transmission.
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