9. The Truck Air Brakes Brake Pedal
This is another one of those things you should already know. But I feel it is important to cover. The brake pedal (also known as the foot valve or treadle valve) is obviously what one uses to engage the brakes.
However, what some don’t understand is how to properly engage you truck air brakes. You should refrain from slamming them on.
The harder you press the brake applies more pressure. Of course the opposite is true when releasing the brakes.
Remember though this also lets compressed air out of your system, reducing the reservoir amount.
This is what the compressor does, it replenishes the used air. Pumping the brakes repeatedly causes the air to escape faster than it can be replaced.
Once the pressure drops to low your truck air brakes won’t operate (you won’t be able to stop).
Source: www.efolio.lattc.edu
10. Some other Truck Air Brakes Facts
The components of the truck air brakes are what make up the entire braking system.
Basically they are the:
- Linings
- Drums and
- Shoes
The drum is what houses the braking mechanism. So when the truck air brakes are engaged the lining and the shoe get pushed against the inside wall of the drum. The resulting friction is what slows or stops the truck.
