Truck Driving Jobs

Douglas · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 251

(The truck I drive is an International 4200 5-speed automatic, 6-wheeler straight truck).

Today for the 2st time I got out onto the interstate to get some road miles on the truck I drive (it's a street sweeper and the majority of its life is spent idling at 2 to 5 mph). The truck I believe is governed at 70. Here's the thing. When I exited, it accelerated fine until it got up to about 45 or 50. After that it started slowing down, and finally wouldn't accelerate anymore past 55. Straight and level road (no uphills and with AN EMPTY LOAD), and with the accelerator pedal to the floor, it wouldn't go any faster than 55 mph until I got to a downhill slope, then it went up to 65 mph pretty easily.

Once it got to 65 after that little down hill, I was able to keep it around that speed fine, even after leveling off again. It's just until I got got to that down hill, the engine pretty much had no power whatsoever to go any faster. :oops:

The air pressure in the tires range from about 70 to 80. I know they're supposed to be at 100 (110 psi max), but someone told me not to worry, as long as I wasn't going anywhere very far away (and as long as the air pressure didn't get TOO low), I'd be alright.

Just wondering will a big truck run a lot better at 100 psi than at 70 to 80 psi? (Yes, I know it's supposed to get better mileage as well).

And keep in mind this was with an empty load, just the gross weight of the truck is all.

Sealord · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 1732 Location: Florida

Tire air pressure, at the correct pressure will decrease rolling resistance, road speed may increase due to less resistance, and fuel mileage will increase, and tire life will increase to a point. I'm guessing the person who told you running 30 to 40 pounds low doesn't own the truck.
You didn't say whether the engine is "governed" or what the gear ratios may be. If you normally run 2 - 3 mph, maybe the ratio is such that the truck can pull at that speed and not be lugging. which could cut the top speed.
As far as tire pressures on big trucks, that's why I always carry a pressure gauge and check when going from cold temps to warm and vice versa. And always check pressures when the tires are cold, like before you run for the day. BOL

DaveFromColorado · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Chaska, MN

Hey Douglass!

When I'm not driving a dump truck pulling an Elgin Pelican, I drive an Elgin Eagle (6-wheel cab-over straight truck with a broom sweeper built onto it)

That thing is well, not really governed at 73mph, but the gearing/engine won't let you go over 73 - I usually keep it at about 65 on roads with limits posted higher than that.

Anyhow, yes, Tire pressure can effect your speed - additionally, if your water tank is full, that's LOTS of extra weight there too which could be effecting your speed.

--Dave.

TAWhit · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 1 Location: N.H.

Those street sweepers make alot of dust, make sure that the air filters are cleaned or blown out. Diesel engines need to breathe. I don't know if that's the problem but it can't hurt.

Douglas · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 251

DaveFromColorado wrote: Hey Douglass!

When I'm not driving a dump truck pulling an Elgin Pelican, I drive an Elgin Eagle (6-wheel cab-over straight truck with a broom sweeper built onto it)

That thing is well, not really governed at 73mph, but the gearing/engine won't let you go over 73 - I usually keep it at about 65 on roads with limits posted higher than that.

Anyhow, yes, Tire pressure can effect your speed - additionally, if your water tank is full, that's LOTS of extra weight there too which could be effecting your speed.

--Dave.

Nice to see there are some other street sweepers on here too. I drive a Tymco 600. I've seen an Elgin Pelican (though it was sitting at the shop ready to be surplused by the time I became a street sweeper operator.

I think my water tank may have been a little less than halfway full. But my tires probably do need to be aired up.

Our Superintendent very recently told us that he wanted us to get those sweepers out on the interstate once a week to help blow the carbon out of the front engines and let them get some 'excercise'. I've heard excess idling is bad on a diesel engine.

We used to have a Schwarze A7000, and the front engine (Sterling cab-over, not sure which model) RAN LIKE CRAP!! It never got out on the open road any, and by the time it was about 5 to 6 years old, you were luck to get it over 45 mph, goind downhill!!! It'd also run hot when you got it up to speed, but strangely cooled back down when idling at sweeping speed... :?

Douglas · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 251

TAWhit wrote: Those street sweepers make alot of dust, make sure that the air filters are cleaned or blown out. Diesel engines need to breathe. I don't know if that's the problem but it can't hurt.

I blow them out once a week, and I also spray the radiators out with a water hose (I've heard it's not good to blow out radiators but I don't know if it's true or not).

There'll be some dust that comes out of the filter when I blow it, but by the time I get done, there's hardly any that comes out at all.

Splitshifter · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 719 Location: Right here

Douglas wrote: TAWhit wrote: Those street sweepers make alot of dust, make sure that the air filters are cleaned or blown out. Diesel engines need to breathe. I don't know if that's the problem but it can't hurt.

I blow them out once a week, and I also spray the radiators out with a water hose (I've heard it's not good to blow out radiators but I don't know if it's true or not).

There'll be some dust that comes out of the filter when I blow it, but by the time I get done, there's hardly any that comes out at all.

Heres a little refresher course for all you "Air Filter Blowers" out there.

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27795&highlight=air+filter

Quote: Air filter maintenance is also sometimes misunderstood. Filtration experts all describe their worst nightmare: a guy pulling a primary filter off an engine, knocking it on a fender to loosen up the dust � or blowing it out with an air compressor � and then re-installing it. Although not uncommon, this practice is guaranteed to send that engine to the rebuild shop much earlier than necessary. Knocking dust out of a filter or blowing it out with compressed air immediately allows dust to accumulate on the clean side of the filter. And blowing compressed air onto a filter may remove a lot of dust but it also forces some dust more tightly into the fabric of your filter media, thus increasing your restriction.

DaveFromColorado · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Chaska, MN

Ahh, the li'l 600's, those regenerative air sweepers are nice - not quite as effective as a broom, but they're nice none the less. The company I work for has a small fleet of them (about 8 I think) Nice little units, and great for monthly spot cleanings.

The tires on those trucks have to hold LOTS of weight, and I mean LOTS* ... those sweeper units are damn heavy, if you start running the tires low, you start adding way too much extra stress on the rims/bolts/studs. I saw one where a guy blew out one rear tire, didn't realize it right away, got out on the highway and it pealed the outside rim right off the truck, wrecked the studs, lugnuts, and even the hub on that side - he was totally empty when it happened.

I've seen strange things happen with those trucks too - one of them had a leak on the intercooler hose between the turbocharger and the intercooler - and that caused the thing to be totally gutless, wouldn't break 50mph no matter what, etc, etc.

Just a couple things to look into there.

And like Splitshifter points out, blowing out the filters is not always the best idea.

--Dave.

**** EDIT ****

I've gotta edit my previous statement, the company I work for has a fleet of the 210's, not the 600's. the 210's are MUCH smaller than the 600's, but same basic idea. whoops, sorry.

--Dave.

**** EDIT ****

Douglas · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 251

Splitshifter wrote: Douglas wrote: TAWhit wrote: Those street sweepers make alot of dust, make sure that the air filters are cleaned or blown out. Diesel engines need to breathe. I don't know if that's the problem but it can't hurt.

I blow them out once a week, and I also spray the radiators out with a water hose (I've heard it's not good to blow out radiators but I don't know if it's true or not).

There'll be some dust that comes out of the filter when I blow it, but by the time I get done, there's hardly any that comes out at all.

Heres a little refresher course for all you "Air Filter Blowers" out there.

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27795&highlight=air+filter

Quote: Air filter maintenance is also sometimes misunderstood. Filtration experts all describe their worst nightmare: a guy pulling a primary filter off an engine, knocking it on a fender to loosen up the dust � or blowing it out with an air compressor � and then re-installing it. Although not uncommon, this practice is guaranteed to send that engine to the rebuild shop much earlier than necessary. Knocking dust out of a filter or blowing it out with compressed air immediately allows dust to accumulate on the clean side of the filter. And blowing compressed air onto a filter may remove a lot of dust but it also forces some dust more tightly into the fabric of your filter media, thus increasing your restriction.

If I'm not supposed to blow out the air filters, then what should I do? :?: :?: :?:

Douglas · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 251

DaveFromColorado wrote: Ahh, the li'l 600's, those regenerative air sweepers are nice - not quite as effective as a broom, but they're nice none the less. The company I work for has a small fleet of them (about 8 I think) Nice little units, and great for monthly spot cleanings.

The tires on those trucks have to hold LOTS of weight, and I mean LOTS* ... those sweeper units are damn heavy, if you start running the tires low, you start adding way too much extra stress on the rims/bolts/studs. I saw one where a guy blew out one rear tire, didn't realize it right away, got out on the highway and it pealed the outside rim right off the truck, wrecked the studs, lugnuts, and even the hub on that side - he was totally empty when it happened.

I've seen strange things happen with those trucks too - one of them had a leak on the intercooler hose between the turbocharger and the intercooler - and that caused the thing to be totally gutless, wouldn't break 50mph no matter what, etc, etc.

Just a couple things to look into there.

And like Splitshifter points out, blowing out the filters is not always the best idea.

--Dave.

**** EDIT ****

I've gotta edit my previous statement, the company I work for has a fleet of the 210's, not the 600's. the 210's are MUCH smaller than the 600's, but same basic idea. whoops, sorry.

--Dave.

**** EDIT ****

Thanks for the info. That might be what happened to that 1999 Sterling we had, because it was gutless too (as I mentioned).

Is an intercooler hose leak hard to fix, replace, etc.? (And if it is fixed, will the engine run much better again??

DaveFromColorado · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Chaska, MN

Yeah, fixing a leak on the intercooler hose is even easier than fixing a coolant hose (radiator hose) leak - simply because you've got no coolant to deal with ... and it's the same basic procedure to do.

Other things that can cause slow issues are fuel filters, or full water separators.

Hope some of those suggestions help.

as for not blowing out the filters - those sweepers should have good snorkels on them that help keep the dust in the filters to a minimum, so just monitor the restriction on the filters, and replace them when necessary.

Preventative Maintenance should be followed very strictly on these sweepers.

--Dave.

Douglas · Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Posts: 251

DaveFromColorado wrote: Yeah, fixing a leak on the intercooler hose is even easier than fixing a coolant hose (radiator hose) leak - simply because you've got no coolant to deal with ... and it's the same basic procedure to do.

Other things that can cause slow issues are fuel filters, or full water separators.

Hope some of those suggestions help.

as for not blowing out the filters - those sweepers should have good snorkels on them that help keep the dust in the filters to a minimum, so just monitor the restriction on the filters, and replace them when necessary.

Preventative Maintenance should be followed very strictly on these sweepers.

--Dave.

Every 250 hours on the back engine, the entire machine gets serviced, so the filters get replaced then. However, they'll usually need blowing out every 1 or 2 weeks, otherwise there's a risk of them running hot.

Splitshifter · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 719 Location: Right here

Douglas wrote: DaveFromColorado wrote: Yeah, fixing a leak on the intercooler hose is even easier than fixing a coolant hose (radiator hose) leak - simply because you've got no coolant to deal with ... and it's the same basic procedure to do.

Other things that can cause slow issues are fuel filters, or full water separators.

Hope some of those suggestions help.

as for not blowing out the filters - those sweepers should have good snorkels on them that help keep the dust in the filters to a minimum, so just monitor the restriction on the filters, and replace them when necessary.

Preventative Maintenance should be followed very strictly on these sweepers.

--Dave.

Every 250 hours on the back engine, the entire machine gets serviced, so the filters get replaced then. However, they'll usually need blowing out every 1 or 2 weeks, otherwise there's a risk of them running hot.

Cost of an air filter: $50.00 +-.

Cost of an engine overhaul: $7500.00 +.

Wouldn't it make more sense to just put in a new filter when necessary?

.

Splitshifter · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 719 Location: Right here

Douglas wrote: Splitshifter wrote: Douglas wrote: TAWhit wrote: Those street sweepers make alot of dust, make sure that the air filters are cleaned or blown out. Diesel engines need to breathe. I don't know if that's the problem but it can't hurt.

I blow them out once a week, and I also spray the radiators out with a water hose (I've heard it's not good to blow out radiators but I don't know if it's true or not).

There'll be some dust that comes out of the filter when I blow it, but by the time I get done, there's hardly any that comes out at all.

Heres a little refresher course for all you "Air Filter Blowers" out there.

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27795&highlight=air+filter

Quote: Air filter maintenance is also sometimes misunderstood. Filtration experts all describe their worst nightmare: a guy pulling a primary filter off an engine, knocking it on a fender to loosen up the dust � or blowing it out with an air compressor � and then re-installing it. Although not uncommon, this practice is guaranteed to send that engine to the rebuild shop much earlier than necessary. Knocking dust out of a filter or blowing it out with compressed air immediately allows dust to accumulate on the clean side of the filter. And blowing compressed air onto a filter may remove a lot of dust but it also forces some dust more tightly into the fabric of your filter media, thus increasing your restriction.

If I'm not supposed to blow out the air filters, then what should I do? :?: :?: :?:

Put in a NEW air filter.

DaveFromColorado · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Chaska, MN

don't forget to blow out your radiators too ...

Plugged filters shouldn't cause the machine to run too much hotter - but like those guys are saying, if you start to blow out the filters, and basically force that dirt through the filter, it can get into the turbocharger and wreck that, plus when it gets into the engine itself you'll cause all sorts of severe wear.

Anyhow, when you get a chance, run that thing out on the highway, with fresh oil, fresh filters (air, AND fuel) and make sure the tires are properly inflated, and that you're completely empty (no water, empty hopper) ... and give 'er hell.

I discovered last night (in a 70mph zone) that the top speed of the Elgin Eagle is 74 1/2 mph. I kept her there for about 4 miles or so, and after that, she just "felt" more peppy. That's probably all in my head, but still - this conversation came to mind after that.

One other thing to check, that may have been overlooked - if it's got a two-speed rear end, make sure it's not in Lo - in Lo, the eagle won't top 50mph.

New Filters are ALWAYS cheaper than new engines. If you've ever used a K&N air filter for your car, you'd see in the cleaning instructions it tells you to use low-pressure water to wash the filter, that's because the high-pressure water, and/or air will push the dirt through to the wrong side of the filter.

--Dave.

... this gives me an idea - I wonder if I could design an oil-bath air filter setup for these sweepers - that'd be sweet, and way more effective.

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