Got my Semi licence 2day

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
You may remember back to Xmas time the shire bought a nice new semi trailer and I was designated as one of the pilots for it.
Today I did my test and passed with flying colours,1 fault and you are allowed 3,its a 2hour test:cool: .
OK Im not blowing my own trumpet,but I have only spent a total of 1 day driving the truck.My fault as I have a HUGE dislike for the leading hand who was to train us.The other truckie got all his driving in,but I opted out as I had this SEVERE dislike for the trainer,which the boss was more than happy to accept.My learners permit was running out and the examiner was comming to town,the boss asked if I was prepared to have a go.YEP,Im in.
I will give the examiner credit,I didnt feel stressed at any point in the test,he was a top fellow.
BUT I BET IF HE HAD KNOWN I HAD ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF 1 DAYS EXPERIENCE I WOULDNT OF PASSED:eek: :eek: :eek:
Once again not blowing my own trumpet Im totally at ease driving the thing,it doesnt feel any bigger than my 6 wheeler(altough its much bigger),and with all the electronics its so easy to drive.
Now I have just got to find a big enough crowbar to get Tony out of there so I can get mt experience up to what it needs to be.
When I was a boy I always wanted to be a Truckie now it is happening for me and being paid to do it.
MC(Roadtrain licence is next) a ticket to work anywhere in Aussie.
Andrew

[incisor]

well done mate.... !

[Cruiser]

You became a truckie when you bought the Disco ! :) :)

[seqfisho]

So has the uniform changed to blue singlets and thongs Andy:rolleyes:

Well done by the way, I've always wanted to try driving a truck, no so much for a job but for the experience

BTW what is it?

[LandyAndy]

Thanks Inc and everyone else,Im stoked,I didnt think I had much of a chance.But I must admit,I love operating machinery,and when you get good stuff to use its a joy.
Hi Cruiser(hopefully not LAND Cruiser)
You are wrong,my string of Series Landies were trucks,the Disco is like driving a car.But Im toughening it up as mutch as I can,Dont like Discos being called SOFTROADERS
Seqfissh
Its A Merc Benz,410HP V6,Yes I would love to plonk that into the D2.Everything is electronic,the computer selects the gear,if you want it you press the clutch,if not you pick the gear then push the clutch,all triptronic.ABS,traction control,hill start(computer takes care of the brakes whilst you deal with the clutch)
Andrew

[Slunnie]

Gday LandyAndy, mate well done!!! I'd love to get my Semi one day also. How do they compare to MR/HR trucks to drive? I guess they're the same widths?

Tell me, how do these gears work? I learnt on a Road Ranger gearbox (non-synchro) and it really is something to learn. I thought all the articulated trucks ran the same gearbox or similar (Spicer etc). So with the Merc, does it just work out which gear by itself, you hit the clutch once and you're off? How does it know what gear to start in, or do you just over-ride if empty or full.

[RichardK]

Good on you Andrew, congratulations a very useful license.

[Cruiser]

Andy Yes thats why Ace calls me the impostor and also a ,well done from me .

[PeterM]

So it's one of the new Actross series then. Pre-select gears etc. Congrats on passing, welcome to the fold mate.

Still a bit of a dog when you're carrying about 10-15t uphill but very civilised. So you'd have a syncro restriction on your license wouldn't you?

[PeterM]

Gday LandyAndy, mate well done!!! I'd love to get my Semi one day also. How do they compare to MR/HR trucks to drive? I guess they're the same widths?

Tell me, how do these gears work? I learnt on a Road Ranger gearbox (non-synchro) and it really is something to learn. I thought all the articulated trucks ran the same gearbox or similar (Spicer etc). So with the Merc, does it just work out which gear by itself, you hit the clutch once and you're off? How does it know what gear to start in, or do you just over-ride if empty or full.

The semi has the same permissable width as the other trucks (2.5m). With the MB 'box it's a pre-select system. You basically have a small shifter like a t-bar in an auto. There is a button on the outside of the T on each side and a paddle in front of it. To start you neutralise (left T button) and start normally. The gear is displayed on the dash. To move off you clutch in and push the T bar fwd. You hear a click and see low 2nd selected as the default gear. Take off as usual and when you want to change up push fwd and clutch in, release when you hear the click. Downchange is just pull back & clutch the same. The paddle in front does 1/2 gear changes up and down, clutch as before. To reverse you neutralise and then push and hold right T button and pull t bar back.

The exhaust brake has 2 settings as well. These also affect the gear the computer will select, assumes more engine braking = heavier load = 1/2 gear changes.

Pretty straightforward once you actually drive one.

[Bytemrk]

Well done Andy... good move.

Whats next?.............Road Trains:eek::eek:

Mark

[p38arover]

Good stuff, Andy!

I really marvel at the skill of truckies. I'd never be able to steer one nor back one as accurately as they do.

I also find truckies will give one the chance to overtake where possible. I reciprocate by giving them room or letting them have the road. I can accelerate and overtake more easily than they can so it doesn't matter (most of the time) if I let them ahead.

Ron

[LandyAndy]

Hi Peter
Couldnt have described it better myself.
Almost embarrasingly easy to drive,has to be the best truck to take your licence in.
:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
You are correct about the 2 exhaust brakes,1 is the standard flapper in the exhaust pipe and the other is a true retarder,there isnt much of a need to use the foot brake if you get your distances correct,the 2 brakes are very good,then you have 6 wheel ABS disc brakes is you need them,HUGE BRAKING POWER.
I would rather back the semi or my 6 Wheeler than my Disco2,the Disco2 and most other similar 4x4s have CRUD mirrors,you would be amazed how fast we back the 6 wheelers when we need too,and to a dead straight line,I couldnt possibly do it in the Disco.
Andrew

[George130]

Congrats. Just don't fall asleeep at the wheel. Had a truck park in a gully out my way yesterday. Didn't look prety at all.

[BigJon]

Congrats Mate.

For the easiest and cheapest upgrade to MC, come and live in Alice. I haven't done it yet (still HC) but it takes about $100 and a lap around the block with two empty trailers. All the hitching and unhithcing, reversing, etc is assumed knowledge if you have a HC licence. If you are working for one of the loal trucking companies you might even get away with no test at all! It has happened.