PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-588
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 588
NOVEMBER 2001
N
ot everyone who shows up in your unit as a driver is familiar with trucks that use
a Jacobs engine brake, commonly referred to as a Jake brake. Some may not even
know what an engine brake is.
An engine brake is a hydraulically-operated device on a diesel engine that con-
verts the engine into a power-absorbing air compressor for the purpose of slowing
the vehicle. It may be used for descending grades, in-city traffic, approaching stop
lights and anywhere else engine braking is required.
But it should
never
be used as a service brake.
Nor is it for use when bobtailing, pulling an empty trailer or when driving on slip-
pery pavement. Using the engine brake under those conditions can cause jackknif-
ing because the braking force is applied to drive wheels only. Non-drive wheels have
no braking.
INSTRUCTION
PS 588
NOV 01
2
Driver Training…
JACOBS BRAKE
To help train drivers how to use
engine brakes, lessons are included
in the following training circulars
for trucks that use them:
TC 21-305-1—HEMTT
TC 21-305-6—M915-series tractors
TC 21-305-9—HETS
TC 21-305-10—PLS
The TVTs and CDs are available on the Internet through DAVIS/DITIS at
. Once there, click on Search DAVIS/DITIS and
follow the ordering info.
The circulars are available through your unit pubs clerk or on the Internet in the
Army Doctrine and Training Digital Library (ADTDL) at
.
The following
television tapes
(TVT) and compact
discs (CDs) also
contain lessons on
the use of the
engine brake:
TVT 55-26—HEMTT
TVT 55-18—M915-series tractors
TVT 55-36—PLS (use for HETS also)
CD 55-16—HEMTT
CD 55-20—M915-series tractors
CD 55-23—PLS
CD 55-17—HETS
You can
also
order
or
ask
questions
about the
TVTs by…
If you’re
not
sure
of how to use the
Jake brake,
don’t
use it until you read
up on it
first!
There
are
three
ways you
can learn
about ‘em
HEMTT, PLS HETS,
M915A1/A2/A3/A4
Original M915-series trucks only
Foot pedal
required
E-mail:
vibuddy@hq.afis.osd.mil
No foot pedal
necessary
Mail:
Joint Visual Information
Services Distribution Activity
Warehouse 3/Bay 3
11 Hap Arnold Blvd
Tobyhanna, PA
18466-6102
Fax:
DSN 795-6106,
(717) 895-6106
588. 02-03 (C)
9/19/01
3:29 PM
Page 1
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