It has also been relayed to me by other drivers and some retail representatives, that pumping brakes 12 times at maximum pressure will adjust all the brakes up to the same level. This is partly true, but only if all the brakes are set to the same point. The brakes will adjust to their set point, but if all the brakes are not at the same set point, then they will not have the same adjustment on all the brakes.

I have personally found more than a few instances where the set points were not at all the same. One tridom, which had brake pads replaced on the centre axle was adjusted to a differeent set point than the other two axles. The adjustment was such that it put more load on the centre axle. I used the TRUCK IRON to check and adjust them to the same set point to balance out the brakes.

Another example, when brakes replacement was done on one axle and the brakes were left backed off when the job was done. The brakes were not checked when the trailer left for its destination, so when I hooked onto them I found the axle backed off. It was an easy job with the TRUCK IRON to check and adjust the brakes. It was not a malfunction but a very necessary correction.

My brother, who is an owner-operator, has his own set of super B bulkers. He had taken his tractor in for a wheel seal replacement. When he picked up his truck he was told everything was ready to go. In hind sight, he may not have not have been too trusting, but many times it happens that way. He left with a load for the United States. He was across the border into Montana where he stopped for a tire check. He decided he should also check his brakes. The wheel that had the work done to it was fully backed off.

This being a Rockwell Automatic, the mechanic had left the small insert for holding the pawl out when he had backed off the brakes. My brother corrected the situation and was on his way. This could have been an expensive oversight had it been found at an inspection station or even worse, in an accident situation.

After discussing brakes with me, my brother checked and set all his brakes (Rockwell and gunite) to the same set point. The unit was only a month old and he found that the slacks were not all set the same. After setting them all the same he was astounded by the difference this made. My own opinion formed from my experience, is that balanced brakes are your best ali in having maximum braking power, especially in poor road condistions. It is probably the next best thing to ABS brakes. With the proper information and the right tools, this can be done anytime, anywhere.

Automatics should only need adjustment if there is a malfunction. Synonymous with automatic is malfunction, so no matter how reliable the adjuster is, a malfunction can happen. "Murphy’s Law". Regular inspection of the brakes will find this before it probably becomes serious. But it can be found at a time when replacement is not an immediate option, so the ability to check and reset the brake is very important. Also important, or even more important is to report the brake to a shop and have it replaced as soon as possible.

Malfunction of adjusters can be caused by a few different things, one being lack of grease. Automatic grease apparatus’ have been installed on some equipment I have seen, which is meant to help this problem. A statement from one driver who worked for a small company who had this installed has some disturbing connotations. He stated that with automatic slack adjusters and automatic greasing, I don’t even bother looking under the trailer anymore.

With all the advancements made, that type of attitude is an undesirable by-product of these advancements. There can be great benefits from the advancements, but if we are not careful of the direction it takes, instead of an advancement, they could be a serious step backwards.

Hands on physical inspection of brakes and trailer components cannot and should not be forgotten because of these advancements.

If you rely on mechanics in a shop or someone else, you will not know if the job has been done, unless you are actually watching the job being done. The driver is the one who goes out on the road with the equipment. They should know that the rig is safe and ready to go. There is lots of room for things to be overlooked. If the driver does not check, he will never know, until something happens, by then it may be too late.

The TRUCK IRON makes physical safety checks on trucks routine. This could be as much of an advancement as automatic components.