Commercial vehicles in Australia must adhere to strict safety standards to protect other road users. Because of their strength and power, driving them in an improper way can cause a lot of damages on the road. Not only that, it’s not uncommon to see that many people are getting injured in these situations. Therefore, it is an absolute must to drive these under a couple of strict regulations.
Naturally, a driver would need to do its best to adjust its driving to the terrain. The country’s varied terrain and harsh weather make driving conditions challenging over long distances. Ensuring your vehicle is in excellent condition before taking a trip reduces the risk of system failures or accidents. Also, using high-quality aftermarket parts for trucks lowers your overall operational costs.
We can see that many people who are doing this kind of job for the living pay much attention to this part of their vehicle. We’ve already said what are the most important reasons because they consider these parts crucial. Not only that it can provide them with a higher level of safety. Plus, they are there to provide them with enough possibilities to carry out all the obligations they have every day.
Brake systems are among the most important safety features of a vehicle. Without a reliable system, it is impossible to stop your vehicle safely. They can also improve the maneuverability of your truck, making it easier to control. This article focuses on spring brakes. Read on multispares.com.au blog post if you would like to know more about the operation of spring brakes in trucks.
Page Contents
What Are They?
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The first spring brakes were designed by MGM Brakes, in 1956 as a support mechanism for air brakes. These are mechanical components of a truck’s air system that function during emergencies. They are engaged when parking heavy vehicles or when they lose too much air pressure. Loss of air pressure limits the efficiency of regular air ones. Basically, this is one of the simplest descriptions of what they are. But that doesn’t mean that this is all you can expect from them. There is a lot more of it.
A spring brake consists of a high-tension coil that is compressed under the air brake’s pressure. If the air brake pressure drops too low, the coil is released, and the spring ones are engaged. They are quite effective, especially in dangerous situations. They can be the line between a fatal outcome and the best possible outcome. Of course, they will need to be in the best possible condition for them to be effective. Otherwise, the driver can face some serious problems while driving this kind of truck.
Heavy vehicle designers use air brakes instead of the hydraulic brakes systems found in regular passenger vehicles. These enable quick response in trucks with multiple axles that would overwhelm hydraulic systems. So, you can see what is the most important aspect, which makes these to be as effective as they need to be. Remember, if some of these essentials are not proper, you cannot hope for much. So, be sure that you know what you are looking at, and where you can come across it.
How Do They Work?
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Air brakes can lose air pressure due to various reasons such as compressor failure, air leaks, and poor maintenance. Springs are engaged when the pressure drops below a defined threshold. The threshold for spring brakes engagement varies from truck to truck but is usually between 20 and 45 psi. Of course, every type will be complemented with the type of vehicle you are interested in driving. In some cases, coming across a type that will complement the vehicle can be a hassle.
Many trucks have warning indicators when the air brakes pressure falls between 60 to 85 psi. The warnings alert the driver to employ early safety measures. Also, they are engaged gradually as the air pressure continues to drop. This gives the driver time to bring the truck to a controlled stop. Without these, truck drivers would struggle to stop their vehicles if the air brakes fail. That’s why they are so crucial for everyday truck driving.
Not having them would be disastrous, you can be sure about that. Spring brakes have manual disengagement overrides if the truck needs to be moved. The most common method to override them is to manually crank the coil and secure its position with a bolt and nut. Once the air pressure in the air compressor is restored, the coil can be compressed to release the spring brakes. We are talking about the combination that offers the crucial part of the process.
What is the Proper Way of Maintaining Them?
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Spring brakes do not require heavy maintenance. Yet, you should keep track of the spring brakes lifespan to know when to order aftermarket parts for your trucks. Spring brake systems usually need replacement after 40,000 miles. The lifespan and range of your system vary based on your driving conditions and the quality of your aftermarket parts for trucks. Thankfully, there are a lot of different parts you can take a look at.
At the same time, the lifespan hugely depends on the quality of the product you have included in your vehicle. That’s why you will need to pay attention to a wide array of different factors before you make the decision about which you will buy. In most cases, drivers will have a chance to do so, because their employers will decide about these parts. Nevertheless, it is important to know all about the possibilities of maintaining and fixing these problems.
The regular air loss of air pressure may also mean, it’s time to replace your sprig brake. This can be due to cracks that can cause air leaks near the diaphragm of your brake chamber. Repairing all of the potential problems inside these is an absolute must. We are talking about a mechanism that relies on all the parts being in the best possible condition. That’s why you will need to make them as best as they can be.
The Conclusion
Overall, it may be said that spring brakes have become indispensable components of modern air systems. Any feature that can improve the safety of your truck and other road users should be valued. Improved safety features can increase your driver’s confidence on the road and save your resources. Be sure to take a look at some of these tips and advice we’ve provided you with, and you will see that they can be quite helpful in a wide array of different situations.
