Yup. Despite what it might sound like, so far I am having fun.
[4/26/2012] Same project. Something clicked today. So much so in the six trips I made (weights ranging from 79,800 - 83,500 lbs... first day alone
) I started trying to change stuff up and see how the truck reacted... shifting at a higher RPM, different speeds, etc. I still can't officially downshift correctly. It is counter-intuitive. I'm going down a hill towards a stop light. I press the brake to slow down and get to a good RPM. Now I press the gas
to float into neutral and then rev it slightly to raise the RPM so I can float into the next lowest gear. Uhhh?!? I press the gas when I want to slow down? So, what I'm doing... I clutch to neutral and then "properly" float the second part of the downshift. I can "properly" float down when going uphill. It's also easier with jake brakes on the flats and downhills but mine don't work. You don't have to flip your foot from the brake to the gas
, the jakes handle the brake part for you.
More trucking info: Jake brakes use exhaust gases to provide added resistance to the engine and help slow you down. They are activated by a switch in the cab and only work when the clutch or accelerator are not depressed.
Pre-trip today revealed what turned out to be a snapped stud and more difficulties with the rear dumper. The dumper seemed to magically fix itself.
I determined this after dumping asphault on the ground where it wasn't suppose to be by following the directions I was told by SC1. The former I was told by SC2 to go out as we're allowed one dumby stud and he didn't have the tools to fix them.
(I found out the next day dumby stud =
"Sorry officer, I had no idea. It was fine this morning." )
Let's see some other things I've heard:
Quote:
MI: "Deal with leaks. It's a part this deal."
(Air brake leak down test failure.)
NH: "My tire barely has any tread on it."
MI: "We're not replacing tires unless we have to."
NH: "They're suppose to have 2/32 of an inch."
MI: "Unless they're cut or blown they aren't being replaced until we move."
(DOT violation)
Me: "Where are the extra fuses kept?" (1 of 3 required safety items)
MI: "Wherever the last driver put them."
(Another violation)
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Turns out SC1 is the owner of the company... Yes that is right I told the owner I learned how to shift an 18-speed on Youtube.
He seems to want the trucks in order though which is nice. Just wish the mechanics were on the same page. SC2 seems to be, just overworked. MI not so much... from the phone conversation I just overheard with his wife... he's stressed: job, family, bills. At least I know where it's coming from. No excuse though for sherking repairs.
If drivers want a paycheck though we need to drive. We can't sit, get paid, and wait on repairs. Can't say that I'm too comfortable with that. It's not like I'm eager to get a ticket my first day, week, month driving. SC1 says the ND DOT hasn't really cracked down on anything besides weight..... yet. The 'yet' part will change though. I'm hoping everything will be in order before then. He also said we should see some of the equipment being run "out there." I can't imagine what he's referring to... cracked leaf springs?
, cracked frames?
At least the trucks here aren't that bad.
The cracked stud on my post-trip... whatever SC2 did w/o the proper tools... seems fixed. I can't find it anymore. But MIL light (check engine) came on 9x today... 5x yesterday, mysterious air tank behavior (drops 10-15 psi with accelerator down
), oil temp gauge doesn't work, jakes don't work... oh yes... MI: "Jakes are a luxury." (a.k.a. bottom of the list, don't bother asking), funny dumper behavior. I'm sure there's more I haven't discovered yet. I haven't learned the cockpit completely on this tractor. That's one more thing to add to the "deep end"... three different cockpits in two days. Once I'm used to... at least...
one aspect of the job it gets easier. Put me in a different model truck now and I'd be okay. Just a bit overwhelming initially.
And then I got my paperwork for today... had the other driver on there too.
And he's coming for another load. So much for every driver gets their own. Well one more thing in the learning curve. Only difficult thing I have now shifting is sometimes during fast acceleration in 1st-5th gear (0-15mph) from a stop. Slow, no problem. Fast... I think I'm just not quick enough to apply pressure to float the stick to neutral and get into a high RPM where it won't come out without the clutch.
Okay my bed is calling me. I didn't review my posts as thoroughly as I normally do for continuity, etc. so feel free to ask questions, critique, etc. I don't have fears of being axed anymore. They were only in my head anyway.
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Aside: Last two days (4/27-4/28) not much has happened because of the rain. I probably an get a post out of it tomorrow if things are slow again. Several of the guys have congratulated me for making it. I lost the
look.
I am more comfortable in the truck. I was suppose to go to Canada this past Friday... looks like someone didn't unload containers and we're waiting 'til Monday. At least I have a project... could be days before the yard is hard enough for the trucks to drive on it again. It's much better than before but we'll still get stuck.
If you're wondering why I was all
'ed out. Taking a 20-hr class was a great disservice I did to myself. A "normal" CDL class can be 160+ hrs. Unfortunately $3,000 was all I could afford (oh... I mean available on my credit card
) and that's what it bought me. About 10-12 hrs was actual street driving. The rest was pre-trips, backing, and very little added info that I asked about and studied beforehand (logging correctly and chaining). I took the test early my last day. I didn't see any point in prolonging the agony and 2 hrs of practice was not going to bring about any epiphanies. So I never got to train on the bigger truck they had. Here in ND being thrown from one truck, learning a little then being thrown into another and having to learn things all over again while still trying to get shifting down.... (a.k.a. being in control of the vehicle). Well I wouldn't recommend it to anyone lol... I wouldn't want to redo it that way again... but it worked out in the end.