156
DRIVING TECHNIQUE
Proper driving of the truck is one of the most important conditions of extend-
ing its service life and ensuring trouble free
-
operation, besides, it allows to achieve
high average travelling speeds at minimum fuel consumption.
The truck succeeds in crossing over heavy road sections, provided that all the
truck mechanisms are controlled skillfully. When towing a trailer, or operating un-
der heavy road conditions (snow, mud, soft ground, sand and the like), only start
travelling with the first gear engaged. When crossing over soft ground, damp
meadows, virgin snow, and sandy sections, drive the truck smoothly, without jumps,
slipping, and stops. Surmount small snow-drifts and short upgrades with prior ac-
celerating the truck.
When crossing over extreme heavy road sections (snow, mud, soft ground,
sand and the like), reduce the air pressure in the tires, if need be, to a certain value
that corresponds to the best passability for that particular section, and lock the
transfer box differential, because
slipping of drive wheels when the truck becomes
immovable, or driving the truck with the slipping wheels and the differential be-
ing unlocked, cause quick wear of the transfer box differential and tires.
In all other cases of travelling, when the drive wheels do not slip, unlock
the transfer box differential to avoid extra loads in the driveline. Engage the low
gear in the transfer box when crossing over heavy sections of route, as well as when
climbing steep upgrades.
Shift gears in the transfer box only after the truck has stopped completely.
do not shift the transfer box lever in the neutral position if any gear is engaged
in the gearbox, and auxiliary power take-off is disengaged.
Engage the auxiliary power take-off and the power take
-
off after the truck
has been stopped, with the disengaged clutch and the pressure in the air system not
less than 500 kPa (5 kgf/cm
2
). After shifting the valve lever to "ON" position, re-
lease the clutch pedal smoothly.
Brake the truck smoothly, pressing the pedal with gradual increase of the
force. When descending a long downgrade, brake the truck by the engine applying
the auxiliary brake. In so doing the engine speed may approach the rated one, but
does not exceed 2100 min
-1
. Should the engine speed up in excess of 2100 min
-1
,
brake the truck vigorously at regular intervals by applying the service brakes.
Caution! do not shut down the engine when driving on long downgrades.
It is not recommended to stop the truck on a downgrade. In case of emergency
stop it is required to take measures in order to avoid rolling the truck down the
grade: cut off the fuel feed by pulling the engine stop tie rod handle as far as it will
go, apply the parking brake, engage the first gear in the gearbox and place stops
under the wheels.
When driving on slippery or ice-covered roads, be careful since the truck
may skid sideways.
When driving the trucks equipped with a tire pressure control system on im-
proved-surface roads with a rated load, the tire pressure should be as rated.
When crossing over difficult sections of terrain, a short-time releasing of tire
pressure is allowed. In so doing the maximum run and travelling speed should not
exceed the values in Table 12.
Do not reduce the tire pressure more than it is required in accordance with the
road conditions. Mind that driving with reduced tire pressure should be limited;
only reduce the pressure in the case of utmost need.
