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Licence Upgrade?Views : 1160 Replies : 21Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Jan 9th, 2019, 14:50 | #11 |
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Last Online: Yesterday 19:03
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Location: Milton Keynes
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I've not tried it but Silverstone do the skid training with the extra wheels link
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David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg |
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Jan 9th, 2019, 14:53 | #12 |
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Last Online: Yesterday 19:03
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Location: Milton Keynes
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and congrats to Rustytoba, I have had a number of driving assessments over the years for work and I've never liked them, having to do another actual driving test would really get to me.
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David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg |
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Jan 11th, 2019, 04:58 | #13 |
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Last Online: Aug 27th, 2022 10:57
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Cambridge
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Want to get a little confused?
How about learning how to drive an American heavy truck non-synchromesh transmission - like a 10, 13 or an 18 speed? I bought my first semi tractor (what you guys call an articulated HGV) in 1974. It was an cabover International with a 318 Screaming Jenny - i.e. a Detroit 318 HP two stroke V8 engine - very much like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFcjM3eO-Rg&t=24s (This one has a 13 speed and the driver is cheating - he's using the clutch).. Mine had a 10 speed Eaton Fuller transmission but I had gotten my trucking license on a 10 speed Spicer transmission and although they had the same amount of gears, how you shifted those gears was very different. The Spicer was basically a 5 speed transmission where you "split" every gear position - i.e. 1/2, 3/4. 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10. The Fuller you go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, split to upper range and then do the same 5 gears which then are 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. I had an interesting first week before I got used to the Fuller transmission. After a while I learned to "float" the gears - i.e. you only used the clutch when you started rolling - the rest of the time you shifted by synchronizing the road speed and matching the proper gear and engine speed. How to do it without the clutch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwjIJLnzP8Q Here's is a 13 speed Kenworth 318 conventional (long nose) with a Jake brake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98CTHm3Xn0Q Jake Brake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qocMoTOVn6Q The 318's were high revving (2,500 rpm) engines. They were very reliable engines - but noisy and thirsty - you were doing good if you got 5 miles to the gallon but then fuel was cheap. There are a lot of them still running in Mexico. My later trucks had 400 and 450 Caterpillar engines. The 13 speed has the super low (1), then 4 gears in an H pattern, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - you then go into upper range and in each position of the H you have an overdrive - think 6/7, 8/9, 10/11 and the last H position is 12/13. Confusing, right? Shifting it - you either double clutch or float - and floating is much smoother and easier on the transmission and clutch and you shift up or down using the rpm's - the accelerator (gas pedal) controls up and downshifts as you move the shifter and splitter and of course the speed. If you do not shift at the exact right moment - especially if you're loaded - you won't be able to move the gearshift without using the clutch - the transmission will simply "hang". I've seen 250 lb guys break out in a sweat and still not being able to pull the gearshift out of the gear they missed - and still if you knew what you were doing you could shift the transmission with one finger - like a knife cutting warm butter.. My next semi had a 13 speed Fuller, next one a 15 speed. There was also the 4x4 two stick 16 speed and the 18 speed, the 9 speed, the 7 speed and more.. Nowadays most semis on the roads in the states have 10 speeds because the engines have such a large torque range and they are much lower revving - think 1,800 max but optimum range is 1,200 - 1,500 depending on the engine. If you want to get *really* confused - watch this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzB9vZ71v08 If you don't get it - don't feel bad - this is about the worst explanation of transmissions I've ever come across. He does explain progressive shifting/power band on today's diesel fairly well.. Today large trucking companies want teams - and especially married teams - and in order to get those drivers they buy auto transmission trucks so new drivers don't have to learn to shift non synchro transmissions. Of course this severely limits the job market for these drivers - "You can't drive a manual transmission? Sorry Bud - no job for you." Add to this that there's a catch - "we train you to get the license - and you agree to work for us for a year at very low new driver compensation - and if you quit before the year is up you owe us $5,000 for the training." Perhaps that's one of the reasons there's a huge shortage of truck drivers in the states: https://tkographix.com/need-a-job-th...50000-drivers/
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2008 XC70 D5 Lux Geartronic Polestar, 161K 2005 XC70 D5 SE Geartronic, 203K |
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Jan 11th, 2019, 05:41 | #14 | |
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Last Online: Today 00:12
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Location: Plymouth
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Hi
Quote:
They have to sign a "Training Bond". If they leave before the 2 years is up they have to pay back the full amount or a pro rata amount. Iain |
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Jan 11th, 2019, 11:29 | #15 | |
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Last Online: Aug 27th, 2022 10:57
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Cambridge
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Quote:
Eeeek - TWO years - that's a long time. Hopefully the pay rate is decent. In the states the companies almost always tries to pay a new driver the starting or very low rates - even when he/she can prove 10-20 years flawless experience. And if the driver has been working local the argument is "you haven't had any over the road experience for the last one or two years - so we can't offer you a decent pay rate." So you need more drivers - yet you shoot yourself in both feet simply due to greed. Classic.
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2008 XC70 D5 Lux Geartronic Polestar, 161K 2005 XC70 D5 SE Geartronic, 203K |
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Jan 12th, 2019, 17:21 | #16 |
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Last Online: Nov 24th, 2023 02:11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Glasgow
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First Bus round my neck of the woods are always on the look out for new blood, usually starting at more than £9hr.
I thought about that a while back push button auto smashing! My licence at that time wasn't a problem but my epilepsy. B+E licence next I think, will keep you posted though. Scott |
Jan 12th, 2019, 19:41 | #17 |
Non Fragile
Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 06:46
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chadderton, Oldham
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I would give up everything for that life! No, seriously, I would. It's a lifestyle that I am convinced I would really enjoy. And I'm not romanticising it, I'm not dreaming of Yorkie bars and Convoy, I genuienly would love that lifestyle.
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Jan 12th, 2019, 20:43 | #18 |
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Last Online: Feb 12th, 2023 11:07
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Durham
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Bet you wouldn't. I've drove trucks for 30 years, and its sh!te. Maybe I'm just fed up due to the length of time I've been doing it. Most truck drivers are toss pots
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Jan 12th, 2019, 21:56 | #19 |
SilverBrick Lives!
Last Online: Feb 19th, 2024 22:04
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Location: Poynton, Cheshire
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There is nothing that sounds quite like 2-stroke diesel trucks.
Well, apart from a Deltic of course ;-)
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Jeep ZJ, 960, Past:- Mazda2, Jumbuck, V70 (2002), 945 (1995), Hyundai Coupe, Golf Mk4, Previa, Carina, 2 x Corsa, 4 x Astra, 944 16v (1991), Espace, Escort, Audi 80, Renault 21 Savanna, Polo, Mini Clubman/Pickup, Standard 8, Capri, Maxi. |
Jan 13th, 2019, 10:36 | #20 | |
Non Fragile
Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 06:46
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chadderton, Oldham
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Quote:
Seriously I would drop everything given the chance. |
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