Every August, the promotion of Brake Safety week is done. The inspectors from commercial motor vehicles educate the drivers and service maintainers about the importance of brake safety. When a person buys a tractor for farming or other purposes, they study the operator manuals that help them learn about the use of tractor trailer brakes when driving with heavy loads or on rough terrains.
But some people still don’t know or have experience in maintaining and inspecting vehicle brakes. As it is said that everything wears out after some time and it needs proper maintenance. This blog lists some of the maintenance tips that people can use to enjoy a safer, risk-free driving experience.
Tip 1: Learn About Different Types of Brakes in Your Vehicle
The tractor-trailer brakes come with 3 choices: Hydraulic Brakes, Air Disc Brakes, and Exhaust Brakes. These brakes are used in mixed variations while driving your vehicle on the road. Here are the tips for managing 3 different types of brakes in a Vehicle:
Hydraulic Brakes provide a wide torque and help in stabilizing the balancing of the overall load and body of the vehicle. It also assures a stable alignment to maximize brake response so that when you want your vehicle to stop gently, the weight of the load remains intact on the trailer side.
The Air Brakes provide a next-level superiority and stopping performance to the truck tires even if they get hotter while rolling on road. In general, the air disc brakes help in reducing problems like long drag and it also increases the brake life so that you’ll get reduced service time. Tractors that use more air brakes will maximize their fuel economy and expect reduced downtime of the overall total cost of ownership.
The Exhaust brakes work like a retarder which is used to slow down the speed of the vehicle. And by using exhaust brakes you can save the life of air brakes. The air discs can become hot when used constantly. But the exhaust brake can use the air pressure directly to the engine, making it slow down without any major burnout.
Tip 2: Choose The Right Rotors & Brake Friction
If you want to increase the duty cycle and improve the friction, the right motors and brake friction are your key. Some people, to save money, go for buying economy-grade friction materials. But, the economy-grade friction is not designed to work with heavy machineries such as trucks and tractors. Also, their demands are not met. For example, frequent stops, higher brake temperatures, and using them over heavy loads.
Generally, such brakes will wear down quickly and don’t provide the same performance as heavy-duty brakes. The heavy-duty brakes are specifically designed to withstand heavy machinery. But if you still use economy braking friction, they will likely result in more replacement part costs and may not optimize a good friction life.
Tip 3: Look For Cost Beyond The Pricetag
When you are planning to purchase the brakes or any replacement parts try looking for a cost per mile than the presented upfront cost of the braking system. The best-experienced drivers suggest choosing genuine parts, especially when selecting OEM friction and rotor sets for your vehicle.
Don’t go buying the pads solely on cost. There’s more than meets the eye. You should conduct a fleet test to develop a good understanding of the total cost per mile rather than just the price written on the price tag.
Tip 4: Don’t Forget To Inspect the Hoses & Tubing
The Hoses and Tubing are important things in a braking system. So, ensure that they are not chaffed or kinked. In Brake Safety Week of 2019, the federal government regulated more than 2000 violations on chafed brake hoses.
You should inspect and check the hose condition and its positioning from time to time or when you are planning to run a fleet on the highway. Also, perform an inspection around 90 to 100 psi for brake applications and listen if any of them leak. Chances are that leak could be because of a hose or worn-out tubes.
Final Words
If you’re planning to buy tractor-trailer brakes then look no further than AgSpares. They have all the tractor accessories and braking components from Dry brakes to Wet brakes. Also, they have a huge variety of tractor parts and attachments.
You can select the make and the model from their drop-down menu and choose the right brakes and accessories that suit your tractor or vehicle needs. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
