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Trailer Air Tanks
Coupling  and  Uncoupling

Equipment Operator Basic - Beginning construction equipment operators manual
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CAUTION Do not allow water and oil to build up in the air tanks. Excessive amounts of water and oil affect the operation of the brakes negatively. Each  tank  has    drain  valve  that  should  be drained daily. OPERATION In  the  NCF,  tractor-trailer  operations  are  managed by the transportation supervisor. The operation of a tractor-trailer  is  much  more  difficult  than  that  for  most other vehicles; therefore, operators must be mature, reliable,  and  experienced. To drive a tractor-trailer safely, you must be able to control  its  speed  and  direction.  Safe  operation  of  a tractor-trailer requires skill in coupling and uncoupling, accelerating,  steering,  shifting  gears,  and  braking. Additionally,  you  must  remember  to  make  allowances for the added length when turning, backing, and passing other vehicles and for maneuvering into position for loading  and  unloading. Fifth Wheel Assembly A  tractor  and  trailer  are  separate  units  joined together by a fifth wheel. The fifth wheel consists of two metal plates: one on the tractor, known as the  lower fifth wheel (fig. 7-13, view A), and one on the trailer, known as the upper fifth wheel (fig. 7-13, view B). The upper and lower fifth wheel form a flexible coupling  that  permits  both  rotational  and  vertical movement  between  the  tractor  and  trailer.  The  upper fifth wheel has a kingpin and the lower fifth wheel has locking jaws that lock around the kingpin to couple the tractor-trailer together. The locking jaws is operated by a hand lever that extends to the side of the lower fifth wheel and can be released by either pulling the locking handle forward, as shown in figure 7-13, or pulling the locking handle outward, as shown in figure 7-14. When the trailer is not connected to the tractor, the front end of the trailer is supported by a retractable two-legged  landing  gear.  The  landing  gear  may  be equipped with either wheels or pads (flat pieces of heavy metal). The glad hand connections for the service and emergency air lines and the electrical connection for the clearance, side marker, and brake lights are located on Figure 7-14.—Fifth wheel locking jaws in open position. 7-13







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