Any HGV / Coach drivers in the house?

[Pikey P]

I have a quick question. Last night on my way home from work on the company coach I sat quite near the front. The drivers was constantly adjusting a leaver on the steering column. It was like a large indicator stalk that probably had about 8 positions in all. When he moved it forward a amber light appeared on the dash but I could not make out the symbol.

So, large vehicle drivers what does it do? At first I thought it was some fancy semi automatic shifter but he had a normal gearbox. Is it some sort of coasting brake?

A confuddled Lord Pikey.



edit ps. it was a merc if that makes any difference.

and it was painted brown

Edited by Pikey P on Wednesday 3rd September 07:40

[tonto2]

Sounds like he was using the exhaust brake / retarder to slow the vehicle down instead of using his service brakes.

[Pikey P]

Cheers,

I just thought he had OCD or something. Its bloody annoying noise it makes all the time was starting to get to me. TOngiht, im sitting at the back with all the big boys.

[bmassey]

I wondered this as well, its only ever on some buses and its usually when the bus is going downhill so it must be the exhaust break thing

[matchmaker]

bmassey said:

I wondered this as well, its only ever on some buses and its usually when the bus is going downhill so it must be the exhaust break thing

THE WORD IS BRAKE!

Edited by matchmaker on Wednesday 3rd September 08:24

[liner33]

Its an electromagnetic retarder.

its a disc on the propshaft to which a magnetic field is applied to slow the vehicle

http://www.telma.co.uk/

there is a how it works on there ^

[Pikey P]

liner33 said:

Its an electromagnetic retarder.

its a disc on the propshaft to which a magnetic field is applied to slow the vehicle

http://www.telma.co.uk/

there is a how it works on there ^

Thanks

LP