Why Proactive Brake Maintenance Is Essential for Heavy Vehicle Operation
Whether you are a one-person truck operator or own a fleet of commercial vehicles, you know that you need to hit your performance targets if you are to make any profit. You will need to get as much value for money out of each vehicle as possible, keep your overall running costs as low as you can, and maximise your payload if practical. To help you hit those targets, you must keep up with regular maintenance schedules and be fully proactive so you can anticipate problems even before they arrive. Why do you need to focus on the braking system of each vehicle in particular?
Complex Setup
A heavy vehicle like this is equipped with several different braking systems, designed to work in tandem or to provide a backup in the event of an emergency. You need to keep a close eye on the mechanical components as well as the air brakes, and there are many individual parts to look at with an eye to efficiency.
Mechanical Components
Depending on the configuration of your truck, it may be equipped with discs, drums or both, and you will need to replace brake shoes or pads before they wear down past a certain level. Some of these components are equipped with early warning devices, but you should maintain an active schedule and change the parts before you even get to that point.
Air Brakes
The air brake system is designed to augment the mechanical components. You need to check the efficiency of each valve and ensure that the flexible hoses are still in good repair. If you cannot maintain the right level of pressure, then you cannot expect the truck to work correctly, and in the worst-case scenario, low air pressure can automatically trigger emergency brakes. While each driver has to check levels and functionality before they can set off each morning, you will need to schedule a regular and formal check as well and make sure that a mechanic can head off any problems before they turn into something significant.
Avoiding Catastrophe
On a bad day, your truck may break down due to a brake issue, overheating drums, low-pressure levels or a damaged compressor. On a worse day, the vehicle may be involved in an accident due to lack of attention. To make sure that you do not find yourself in this position, develop a truck servicing schedule and hand over the work to a technician.
Share
