TRAINING

Pre – Trip Inspection

Front of Truck

Clearance lights, turn signals (Left/ Right), 4- way flasher:
amber color, clean, works
Headlights (High/ low beam): clean, works Under Tractor: no fluids leaking.
Tractor Unit: not leaning to one side.

 

Engine Compartment

Exhaust System: securely mounted, tightly connected, clamps, bolts tight, no leaks: if leaking I would see soot.
Water Pump: belt driven, securely mounted, not leaking.

Alternator: belt driven, well attached, wires securely fastened.
All Belts: no cracks, not frayed; no more than 3 quarters of an inch free play.
Coolant Tank: on level, cap tight, not leaking.
Dipstick: oil level above refill mark.

Air compressor: gear driven, well attached; not leaking.
Power Steering Fluid Tank: level above refill mark, cap tight, not leaking.
Steering Shaft, Pitman Arm, Drag link, Steering arm, tie rod: not cracked, not worn, not bent, secure.
Joint and Socket: not worn or loose; no missing bolts, nuts, cotter keys.

Steering Gear Box: securely mounted: not leaking, nuts, bolts tight.

Gear Box Hoses: well routed, not leaking, not bulging, clamps tight.

Frame: not cracked, not welded, no extra holes

 

Front Suspension

Spring Mounts: spring hangers not cracked, not broken, not loose, not missing bolts.
Leaf Spring: not cracked, not broken, not missing, not shifted.

U-Bolts: not cracked, not broken, not missing, not shifted.
Shock Absorbers: secure, no leaks.

Bushings: not missing, not damaged.

 

Front Brakes

Brake Chamber: well attached, not leacking, not cracked, clamps, nuts tight.
Brake Hoses: not cracked, not worn, securely connected, no leaks.

Slack Adjuster: not cracked, not broken, not loose, no missing parts, secure.
Push Rod: not more than 1 inch on release brakes.
Brake Linings: thickness at least quarter of an inch, no oil on gears.

Brake Drum: not cracked, not damaged: not loose, not missing bolts.

 

Front Axle

Inflation- check with gauge.
Condition- tread is evenly worn, no cuts, not bulging, not recap.
Depth- not less 4/32” of an inch.

Rim: not bent, not damaged; not welded.
Lug Nuts: all on level, no leaks.
Valve Stream And Cap: not missing, not leaking.

 

Side Of Vehicle

Turn Signals ( Left/Right)- 4 – Way Flashers: amber color, clean,
working order.
Mirrors And Brackets: well attached, not cracked, not loose, no missing bolts, secure.
Door: opens, closes properly; hinges and seal intact, secure.

Windows: clean, work properly.
Windshield Washer Fluid: on level; cap tight, not leaking.
Steps: well attached, screws tight, not damaged, free of debris.
Fuel Tank: securely mounted, straps tight; not leaking; fuel cap good seal, not leaking.
Catwalk: well attached, bolts tight, not damaged, free of debris.

Electrical Connector And Lines: good condition, not cut, not leaking.

Glad Hands: no damage, good seal, not leaking.
Drive Shaft: not bent, universal joints well lubricated, free of debris.

 

Rear Axle

Two Tires I.C.D:

Inflation- check with gauge.
Condition- no cuts, no bulging, free of debris, good condition.
Depth- not less 2/32” of inch.

Two Rims: not cracked, not bent, not welded, no gap between two rims. Axle Seal: no oil leak.
Lug Nuts: check same as front axle.
Two Valve Stems: not leaking, not missing caps.
Rear Brake System: brake chamber, brake hoses, slack adjuster, push rod.
Brake linings, brake drum- check same as front axle.
Suspension System: spring mounts, leaf spring, U-bolts check same as front axle.

 

Coupling System

Fifth Wheel Skid Plate: securely mounted, well lubricated, no gap between fifth wheel and trailer apron.
Apron: not bent, not broken.
Fifth Wheel Platform: well attached to frame; nuts bolt are tight.

Sliding Pintle: secure, no missing nuts, bolts, cotter in place.

Mounting Bolts: no loose, not missing.
Locking Pin: lock position.
Release Handle: lock position.
Lock Jaws: securely attached to king pin. King Pin: not crack, not bent.

 

 

Rear of Truck

Splash Guards: well attached, not damaged, nuts tight.
Rear Reflectors: clean, shiny.
Rear Lights: clean, red color, in working order, turn signals (left/right). 4-way flasher, tail light, brake light, back up light.

 

Trailer

Air Connectors: seal, good condition.
Electrical Connector: firmly seated, locked.
Marker Light: clean, work.
Reflectors: clean, shiny.
Landing Gear: fully raised, no missing parts, secure.
Support Frame: not damaged.
Crank Handles: secure.
Trailer Frame, Cross Members: not cracked, not bent, not damaged, no missing parts.
Floor: no holes, not damaged, secure.

 

 

Trailer Axle

Brake System: check brake chamber, brake hoses, slack adjuster, push rod, brake lining, brake drum, check same as front axle.
Suspension System: check spring mounts, leaf springs, U-bolts, shock absorbers, bushing, check same as front axle.
Air Bags: well attached, not cracked, not leaking, no bulging.

Torque Arm: well attached, not bent, good bushing.

Tires ( L.C.D):

Inflation: check with gauge.
Condition: no cuts, no damage, good condition, free of
debris.
Depth: 2/32” inch.
Rim, Lug Nuts, Hub Oil Seal, Valve Stem And Caps: check same as front axle.
Splash Guards: well attached, not cut, not damaged.

 

Rear Of The Trailer

Reflectors: clean, shiny.
Rear lights: red color, clean cracked, in working order (turn signals left/right, 4-way flasher, tail light, brake light, clearance light). I check this side of vehicle same as the other side.

Before In Cab Inspection Ask Examiner

Rule Number1: fasten seat belt.
Rule Number2: ignition on.
Front: headlight on, check (low beam, high beam). Left turn signal. Right turn signal. Four- way flashers (cancel).
Rear: left turn signal. Right turn signal. Four-way flashers (cancel). Brake lights.

 

 

In Cab Inspection

Seat belt: securely attached to the seat; not torn or frayed, in working order.
Mirror: both mirrors adjusted.
City Horn: working properly.
Freeway Horn: work. ( F-E-T)
Fuses: check spare fuses.
Extinguisher: charged, updated, secured.
3 red triangles
Safety Start The Engine: neutral, push the clutch, start the engine. Abs Light: turns off.

 

Gauges

Temperature Gauge: temperature gauge working, warning light off. Oil Pressure Gauge: normal, no warning light.
Voltmeter Gauge: alternator charging, warning light off.
Air Gauge: working properly, governor cut out at not higher than 140 PSI.

 

Dashboard Indicator Lights

Headlight: high beam/low beam in working order.

Turn Signals: left/right, work.
4-Way Flasher: work.
Heat/Defroster: working order.
Windshield: clean, not cracked; no illegal stickers.
Windshield Wipers, arms, Blades, Washer: work, no damage, secure.

 

 

Air Brake Test

1. Air leakage test: make sure air system is fully charged.
A) Engine off
B) Ignition on.
C) Put your vehicle in low gear.
D) Release parking brake.
E) Press hard service brake for 1 minute.

Tell Examiner: My vehicle should not lose more than 4 P.S.I. in 1 minute.

After 1 minute give the result (don’t release service brake).
My vehicle did not lose more 4 PSI in 1 minute. It’s a good test.

2 Low Air Warning Test: it should happen between 55-75 PSI.
a) Press and release the service brake, until warning light and buzzer come on.
Warning light and buzzer come on at _ PSI. It’s a good test.

3. Pop- Out Test. It should happen between 20-45 PSI.
a) Start pump service brake pedal, until tractor and trailer parking brake POP-OUT.

Spring break POP-OUT at _ PSI. It’s a good test.

4. Cut- Out Test. It should happen at no higher than 140 PSI.
a. Natural gas.
b. Start engine.
c. R.P.M. 11.
d. Watch the needle stop to move.
Air Governor cut out at _ PSI. It’s a good test.

5. Air Governor Cut In Test. It should happen at no lower than 100 PSI.
a. Engine on.
b. Press and release service brake. Repeat if necessary. (after 10
seconds).
c. Watch the needle start to move.
Air Governor cut in test at _ PSI. It’s good test.

6. Parking Brake Test. Make sure air system is fully charged. 

Now I check trailer parking brake.
a. Engine on.
b. Low gear.
c. Releasetractorparkingbrake.
d. Slowly release clutch.
Trailer does NOT move, parking brake works properly.

Next I check tractor parking brake.
a. Engine on.
b. Low gear.
c. Release trailer parking brake.

d. Slowly release clutch.
Tractor does NOT move, parking brake is working properly.

7. Service Brake Check. Make sure air system is fully charged.
a. Low gear.
b. Release parking brake.
c. Drive forward slowly.
d. Apply service brake pedal.
Next apply parking brake, neutral gear.
Service Brake is working properly.