operators_manual

Table Of Contents
WARNING
The service brakes must be used in an
emergency
. The retarder alone might
not stop you fast enough to prevent an
accident. Failure to comply may result
in death, personal injury, equipment or
property damage.
The retarder is NOT intended as the
primary brake for the vehicle, nor is it an
emergency brake. The retarder only helps
the service brakes by using pressure to
slow the drivetrain. Use the service brakes
for quick stops. Do not use the retarder
when operating on road surfaces with poor
traction (such as wet, icy
, or snow covered
roads or gravel). Retarders can cause the
wheels to skid on a slippery surface.
We recommend that you do not use your
engine retarder to slow down when you are
bobtailing or pulling an empty trailer.
WARNING
Using an engine retarder can cause a
wheel
lockup. The trailer is not loading
the tires enough to give the traction
you may need. When you are bobtail
or
unloaded, you can have a serious
accident if your wheels lock suddenly
during braking. You could be killed or
injured. DO NOT use your retarder
when you are driving bobtail or with an
unloaded trailer.
This vehicle may have a transmission
retarder
. Take your foot off the throttle and
operate the retarder switch. When you do
not need full retarder effect, you can apply
it intermittently (off and on) to cause
gradual or partial slowing. Continuous
application of your retarder will cause your
hydraulic fluid to get hotter. Intermittent
application will help prevent overheating.
WARNING
DO NOT rely on your automatic trans-
mission
hydraulic retarder to stop your
vehicle. If your engine shuts down, the
vehicle’s retarder will cease to operate
which may lead to an accident involv-
ing death or personal injury. Always be
ready
to suddenly apply the service
brakes.
Axle and Suspension
Differential Lock
The vehicle may be equipped with
switches to lock the either of the rear axle
dif
ferentials. Depending on how the vehicle
is specified, a combination of individual
switches may be available that can lock the
interaxle driveline and/or any combination
of the forward rear or rear-rear driving
axles. The interaxle differential switch
allows each axle to turn independently. In
certain situations, engaging the interaxle
differential lock relieves stress on the rear
axles and reduces tire wear. Engaging this
switch will also provide better traction in
slippery or loose gravel conditions.
In the LOCK position, continuous operation
on paved, dry surfaces, put stress on the
axles, and can possibly damage the
DRIVING - Axle and Suspension
122 Y53-6096-1C1 (09/20)
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