Block changing.

[cossy400]

So any thoughts on the best to way to go up and down the gearbox?

Im currently fixed on low 2nd to high 5th and and then go 7th or 8th depending on what im carrying.

Only a baby really 18t but rarely have it up to its max.

My reason for the topic is ive not been driving long and im very nosey as to what the other truckers are doin?

[spike50]

stick in d and let it do its own thing ,
god ive got lazy since auto boxs came out

[chilistrucker]

cossy400 said:

So any thoughts on the best to way to go up and down the gearbox?

Im currently fixed on low 2nd to high 5th and and then go 7th or 8th depending on what im carrying.

Only a baby really 18t but rarely have it up to its max.

My reason for the topic is ive not been driving long and im very nosey as to what the other truckers are doin?

it really does depend on weight, power of truck etc.

if i could, in a daf artic i'd go 2nd low into 4th low, then onto 5th low in the high range and up through 6th, 7th and 8th all in low split, then when upto cruising speed just flick into 8th high.

[v8will]

cossy400 said:

So any thoughts on the best to way to go up and down the gearbox?

Im currently fixed on low 2nd to high 5th and and then go 7th or 8th depending on what im carrying.

Only a baby really 18t but rarely have it up to its max.

My reason for the topic is ive not been driving long and im very nosey as to what the other truckers are doin?

Depending on load, incline etc. 90% of the time I find 3rd - 5th then 7th and 8th is OK. My 18T Daf, which has a regular 6 speed box, I start in 2nd most of time and rarely block change. Usually no more than 5T in the back.

My instructor actually had me starting in 4th and block changing to 6th when on flat ground in his Volvo rigid

[cossy400]

v8will said:

cossy400 said:

So any thoughts on the best to way to go up and down the gearbox?

Im currently fixed on low 2nd to high 5th and and then go 7th or 8th depending on what im carrying.

Only a baby really 18t but rarely have it up to its max.

My reason for the topic is ive not been driving long and im very nosey as to what the other truckers are doin?

Depending on load, incline etc. 90% of the time I find 3rd - 5th then 7th and 8th is OK. My 18T Daf, which has a regular 6 speed box, I start in 2nd most of time and rarely block change. Usually no more than 5T in the back.

My instructor actually had me starting in 4th and block changing to 6th when on flat ground in his Volvo rigid

Yea my instructor always told me to use 3rd low as a startin gear that was a volvo rigid too.

And auto I WISH lol

[chilistrucker]

i always thought the lower the starting gear, the better it was for wear and tear of the clutch, etc.
i could be wrong though.

[4keymonsta]

I've always used 3 low to pull away from a standing start, until we were given new scanias with cluch save on them. If the clutch is down it will only let you rev to 7/800rpm, its brilliant watching the people who dont know try to pull onto the main road the first time.

[cossy400]

chilistrucker said:

i always thought the lower the starting gear, the better it was for wear and tear of the clutch, etc.
i could be wrong though.

Well in my daf at the moment its got a sticker sayin always use 1st to pull away to save clutch wear etc,

But on my last CPC day most of the people were sayin they block changed and set off in 2nd even when it was just a 5 speed box?

Admittedly if its a 5 speed box ill use 2nd to pull away but never block change with it.

[Humper]

spike50 said:

stick in d and let it do its own thing ,
god ive got lazy since auto boxs came out

Yeah, had a wee job at xmas with a Daf CF, first time in years ive had to change gear myself, autos rule

[powerstroke]

chilistrucker said:

i always thought the lower the starting gear, the better it was for wear and tear of the clutch, etc.
i could be wrong though.

Depends on who's clutch it is !!!! lower gear and minimal slip revs to pull away and always holding on the brakes at the lights or junction if its yours!!!! otherwise whatever makes your job easy

Edited by powerstroke on Thursday 28th June 09:29

[philmots]

What gearstick? What clutch?

Stick it in D and go.

[Plastic chicken]

4keymonsta said:

I've always used 3 low to pull away from a standing start, until we were given new scanias with cluch save on them. If the clutch is down it will only let you rev to 7/800rpm, its brilliant watching the people who dont know try to pull onto the main road the first time.

...people like me! I just got a new Scania 18-tonner after 6 years in a Daf. First time out, before I could get a chance to read the handbook, I genuinely thought there was something wrong with the thing. Sitting on a busy main road in Glasgow with the hazards on, seemingly unable to get moving, in desperation I phoned my mate who also had a new Scania & he put me right.

[Hooli]

Use whatever feels right. I used to have days of only using 'odd' gears & days of only 'even' ones just for a change when driving coaches.

[chilistrucker]

powerstroke said:

Depends on who's clutch it is !!!! lower gear and minimal slip revs to pull away and always holding on the brakes at the lights or junction if its yours!!!! otherwise whatever makes your job easy

Edited by powerstroke on Thursday 28th June 09:29

[iva cosworth]

I have 6 speed Daf and i do block change whenever practical,only ever miss out 1 gear

going up as it's not exactly a fire breathing V8 underneath me.