An critical component of expert truck driving is the pre-trip inspection. Regulated by way of federal regulation, truck drivers are required beneath FMCSA Regulation in an effort to “determine the motor car’s brake machine condition for proper adjustments and that air machine connections among motor automobiles had been nicely made and secured.”
Veteran drivers recognize all to well, the seriousness of an air brake failure even as running a Commercial Motor Vehicle. Many truck accidents have took place due to the loss of brakes that have caused the driving force being referred to for failure to correctly investigate the brake system. When law enforcement is unable to determine the actual reason of such injuries, in many instances it’s miles said as due to driving force fatigue.
A severe protection trouble that remains overlooked and under-stated is the problem of Treadle Valve corrosion, specially with the E6 and E10 Foot Brake Valve. As a majority of accidents have been reported as being as a result of truck motive force fatigue, the genuine underlying wrongdoer ought to virtually be the unseen corrosion this is blockading the plunger and the valve, preventing the Treadle Valve from running nicely, accordingly main to the brake failure coincidence.
According to Allan Powell, a 30 year trucking veteran and consumer recommend for the prevention of truck accidents, “If the treadle valve sticks inside the up role, the plunger in the valve housing will no longer cross down and any twist of fate will now not be the fault of the driver.”
If the plunger sticks inside the center, the air strain supplied to the brake chamber will bring about an amount as a way to most effective lead to brake drag. This “drag” is what can cause the brakes heating and ensuing in a fireplace. Again, with the plunger stuck within the center, the driver could haven’t any manner of knowing that whatever is inaccurate on account that this will not reason the brake warning light to come on.
Finally, need to the Treadle Valve come to be caught within the down function, the brakes will most probable lock up and be not able to launch, causing the 18-wheeler to enter a skid. Again, no fault by using the motive force.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first started recalling Treadle Valves inside the 1970’s and maximum these days, in August of 2012. Due to the fact that there are more semi tractor trailers on the road nowadays, in conjunction with many greater numerous varieties of chemical compounds being used at the highways, the safety issue with Treadle Valves is turning into more conventional.
Yet, even these days, there may be no serious enterprise examine being done in order to investigate the air brake valve trouble. There is not any doubt that truck drivers are being faulted for mistaken vehicle inspection or driver fatigue while in fact, it’s far due to faulty brake valves that can be absolutely undetectable by way of the driving force and law enforcement officials.
