The Best Way To Check Your Brakes For Safety
Checking your trucks brakes regularly can be a life-saver.
Every pre-trip inspection includes a detailed brake check. In fact, there are a lot of different factors that go into creating a safe truck to drive.
Parking Brake Check
The best way to check your parking brake is to apply the parking brake and see if it will fully hold the truck by shifting into a lower gear and very gently pulling the parking brake. In fact, conducting this crucial pre-trip inspection check will ensure a safe truck for any truck driver to work with.
Hydraulic Brake Checks
There are a few different ways to check how well a truck’s hydraulic brakes are operating. In fact, the best way is to apply firm pressure to the service brake pedal with the engine running and hold it for a few seconds. Afterward, if your truck is fully equipped with a hydraulic brake reserve system then truck drivers will want to depress the brake with the key off. Truck drivers will want to notice any sounds that may come from the electric motor. As a result, truck drivers will want to also double-check that the warning buzzer and lights are turned off.
Air Brake Check
Ideally, trucks are equipped with air brakes. If so, then truck drivers will want to make sure to check these brakes during any and all pre-trip inspections. In fact, air brake devices vary significantly. As a result, understanding the best way to check your specific system becomes critical for truck safety. Therefore, for safety purposes, truck drivers will want to make sure that they use a wheel clock when conducting an air brake check, especially if there is any sort of incline.
Test Service Brakes
The best way to test for service brakes is to wait for normal air pressure, and then release the parking brake and trailer air supply button simultaneously.
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