
Tractor-trailer connections
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, use extreme
caution when making brake and light connections. Inclement
weather and accumulated road contamination deposits on handhold
and stepping surfaces require extra care to avoid slip and falls. Provide
adequate lighting of working areas.
WARNING:Do not climb on the back of the tractor unless it
has been provided with a deck plate and handholds. Use a
three-point stance when climbing up and down from a deck plate. Do
not jump from the vehicle. Whenever possible, make all connections
while standing on the ground.
Connecting and disconnecting a trailer with air suspension
When connecting to a trailer:
•Press the lower portion of the switch and air will exhaust from the air
suspension system.
•After making the connection to the trailer, press the upper portion of
the switch, then raise the landing gear.
When disconnecting the trailer:
•Lower the landing gear, then press the lower portion of the switch.
•Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side and rear light connectors,
then pull the release lever on the fifth wheel.
The upper portion of the switch must be pressed before operating with a
trailer or operating in the bobtail mode.
Suspension conversions
It is not recommended, or approved, that suspension conversions be
performed. However, it is understood that, on occasion, aftermarket
add-on suspensions are installed by others on the truck chassis which
allow operator control for weight transfer from other axles (i.e., air lift
axles).
WARNING:When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must
keep all adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other
axles, tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
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Clutch brake
(vehicles equipped with a non-synchronized transmission) -
Vehicle stationary
A clutch brake is used to stop transmission input shaft rotation so that
the initial 1 (First) or R (Reverse) gear selection can be accomplished
when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running at idle speed.
Clutch brake application occurs in the last inch (25 mm) of clutch pedal
travel.
When using the clutch brake, fully depress the clutch pedal and shift the
transmission into 1 (First) or R (Reverse). If the transmission won’t go
into one of these gears, slowly release the clutch pedal while applying
light pressure on the transmission shift lever until it shifts into gear.
Note:After engagement of 1 (First) gear,do notuse the clutch brake
for upshifting or downshifting. If you do, clutch brake life will shorten
and gear selection shift efforts may increase.
Double-clutch procedures - vehicles equipped with a
non-synchronized transmission
In order to properly upshift or downshift, perform the following steps:
1. Depress the clutch pedal to disengage the clutch.
2. Shift the transmission into neutral.
3. Release the clutch pedal.
If upshifting, wait until the engine speed matches the transmission
speed of the gear you are selecting.
If downshifting,accelerate the engine until the engine speed matches
the input speed of the gear you are selecting. Depress the clutch pedal
immediately and shift into the desired gear, then release the clutch
pedal.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:Continued use of a damaged or worn clutch, prolonged clutch
slippage or downshifting at excessive speeds can result in a failure of the
engine, transmission or clutch components.
Note:To avoid premature clutch wear and failure, do not drive with
your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use it to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on an upgrade as when waiting for a traffic light.
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pressure on the gearshift lever will help the synchronizer perform its job
more quickly. If the gearshift lever is forced into position, this action
defeats the purpose of the synchronizer by causing gear clash.
Shifting with a non-synchronized transmission
Refer toClutch brakeandDouble clutch proceduresin theClutch
section of this chapter.
Operating the Eaton FS-5205A 5–speed transmission
The 5-speed transmission is
equipped with five forward gears
and one reverse. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th
and 5th gears are synchronized. The
shift pattern is embossed on the
gear shift knob.
Do not shift the transmission into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving as this could damage the transmission.
To go forward
With the engine idling, depress the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Engage the clutch while pressing the accelerator to start forward.
Operate the clutch and upshift as required by driving conditions.
To go backward
Reverse is obtained by putting the gearshift lever in R (Reverse) and
engaging the clutch while pressing lightly on the accelerator.
Operating the Eaton FS–5406A, FS–5406N, FS–6406A and
FSO–6406A 6-speed transmissions
These 6-speed transmissions are
equipped with six forward gears and
one reverse. All the forward gears
are synchronized. The shift pattern
is embossed on the gear shift knob.
Do not shift the transmission into 1 (First) or R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving as this could damage the transmission.
R 2 4
3 5 1
R 1 3 5
4
6 2
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To go forward
With the engine idling, depress the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Engage the clutch while pressing the accelerator to start forward.
Operate the clutch and upshift as required by driving conditions.
To go backward
Reverse is obtained by putting the gearshift lever in R (Reverse) and
engaging the clutch while pressing lightly on the accelerator.
Operating the Spicer ES56-7B and ES066-7B 7-speed
transmissions
These 7-speed transmissions are
equipped with seven forward gears
and one reverse. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
5th, 6th and 7th gears are
synchronized. The shift pattern is
embossed on the gear shift knob.
Do not shift the transmission into 1 (First) or R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving as this could damage the transmission.
To go forward
With the engine idling, depress the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Engage the clutch while pressing the accelerator to start forward.
Operate the clutch and upshift as required by driving conditions.
To go backward
Reverse is obtained by putting the gearshift lever in R (Reverse) and
engaging the clutch while pressing lightly on the accelerator.
POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Vehicles equipped with an Allison automatic transmission
(except Allison 3000 Series applications and vehicles
equipped with a Caterpillar engine)
The PTO 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), then engage the PTO.
2 4 6
3 5 71 R
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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 into gear. The PTO should never
be engaged by clashing the gear teeth as 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
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, 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.
WARNING:When the PTO is operated with the vehicle
stationary, the transmission must be placed in N (Neutral) with
the parking brake set. 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 injury 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.
Vehicles equipped with an Eaton UltraShift transmission
Refer to the operationTransmission Power Take Offsection of the
UltraShift Driver Instructions Manual.
Vehicles equipped with an Allison 3000 Series automatic
transmission
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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Note:Never use the differential lock at vehicle speeds above 25 mph
(40 km/h).
The differential lock and differential lock light will automatically
disengage at speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h). The differential lock will
remain off until either the vehicle is restarted or the differential lock
switch is turned off then back on.
Axle conversions
It is not recommended, or approved, for axle conversions to be
performed. However, it is understood that, on occasion, aftermarket
add-on axles are installed by others on the truck chassis which allow
operator control for weight transfer from other axles (i.e., air lift axles).
WARNING:When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must
keep all adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other
axles, tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
TWO-SPEED REAR AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
A two-speed rear axle allows the driver to select a LO range for greater
pulling power and a HI range for greater road speed and fuel economy.
These ranges can also be used to provide additional steps between
transmission shifts when driving on steep grades and/or fuel economy
may be factors.
Note:Do not shift between ranges when the speed control is on.
WARNING:Never shift a two-speed axle when descending a
steep grade as this may cause loss of vehicle control and result
in personal injury.
Axle shifting
Manual transmissions:
•To downshift,select the next lower gear, release and depress the
accelerator pedal rapidly, or while holding the accelerator pedal down,
release and engage the clutch rapidly.Note:The clutch method is
recommended when driving at slower speeds.
•To upshift,keep the accelerator pedal down, select the next higher
gear, release the accelerator and pause until the axle upshifts.Note:
De-clutch for smoother axle upshifts when driving at slower speeds.
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WARNING: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.
WARNING: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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Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Your vehicle may be
equipped with one of two possible trailer wiring designs. Make sure all
running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
See your dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) during the first
500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle
starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive transmission shifting, use a lower gear. This will
also assist in transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
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