Air Brakes - Daily Inspection and Periodic Adjustment Checks
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:28 am
As we all know, air brakes are the major safety related system on our buses.
There are two major system tests that you should perform frequently.
The first is a test that CDL drivers are required to perform daily. This is a fairly quick test that is done from the driver's seat. A good site with a description of this test is:
http://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com ... cdl/en/5/3
As a side note, the CDL inspection is standardized in all states. You should be able to go to your DMV and get a free copy of the CDL manual. It is a great reference document.
The second test is to check your brake adjustment. Again, this is critical. The best document I have found is:
http://www.cvsa.org/programs/documents/ ... ke2011.pdf
update 6/16/13: I have now fixed the above link. There is another good source listed in another post on this link
Many of our buses have automatic slack adjusters. However, they can, and do, go bad (mostly bind up from lack of lubrication). It is just plain good safety practice to inspect them on a fairly frequent basis.
I will make this a sticky so that it stays toward the top of this forum.
Jim
There are two major system tests that you should perform frequently.
The first is a test that CDL drivers are required to perform daily. This is a fairly quick test that is done from the driver's seat. A good site with a description of this test is:
http://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com ... cdl/en/5/3
As a side note, the CDL inspection is standardized in all states. You should be able to go to your DMV and get a free copy of the CDL manual. It is a great reference document.
The second test is to check your brake adjustment. Again, this is critical. The best document I have found is:
http://www.cvsa.org/programs/documents/ ... ke2011.pdf
update 6/16/13: I have now fixed the above link. There is another good source listed in another post on this link
Many of our buses have automatic slack adjusters. However, they can, and do, go bad (mostly bind up from lack of lubrication). It is just plain good safety practice to inspect them on a fairly frequent basis.
I will make this a sticky so that it stays toward the top of this forum.
Jim