What are the three braking systems on a vehicle equipped with air brakes?
Air brakes are really three different braking systems: service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake. The service brake system applies and releases the brakes when you use the brake pedal during normal driving.
How does the air brake system work?
Air brakes work using compressed air instead of hydraulic fluid. The air compressor then pumps the air into the air storage tanks, which store the compressed air until it’s needed. Air pressure is used to apply the service brakes and release the parking brake. There are multiple air circuits in the system.
What is the brake pedal in an air brake system?
The brake pedal in an air brake system: Controls the air pressure applied to put on the brakes. If your truck or bus has dual parking control valves it means that you can use pressure from a separate tank to: Release the spring brakes to move a short distance.
What is the air brake test?
The Air Brake Test covers the different braking systems and tests you on your knowledge of parking brakes, service brakes, emergency brakes, reading low pressure warnings, checking pressure gauges, and more.
How do you start a truck with air brakes?
How to Release Air Brakes
- Start the truck by turning the ignition key to the “Start” position.
- Locate the air pressure gauge on the dash.
- Observe the needle in the air pressure gauge as it rises while the truck is idling.
- Allow the air pressure to build to 120 pounds of air.
What vehicles have air brakes?
Air brakes are used in large heavy vehicles, particularly those having multiple trailers which must be linked into the brake system, such as trucks, buses, trailers, and semi-trailers, in addition to their use in railroad trains. George Westinghouse first developed air brakes for use in railway service.
What type of air do air brakes use?
Terms in this set (50) What type of air do air brakes use? Compressed air. Air brakes use compressed air for operation and are a safe way to stop large and heavy vehicles if maintained properly.
What should I know about air brakes?
Air brakes use compressed air to make the brakes work. Air brakes are a good and safe way of stopping large and heavy vehicles, but the brakes must be well maintained and used properly. Air brakes are really three different braking systems: service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake.
When were truck air brakes first used?
In 1949, accelerated by the World War II, air braking became standard on all heavy trucks, tractor-trailers, buses, fire trucks and off-highway vehicles. By 1960, automatic slack adjusters, air dryers, dual brake valves and first generation antilock braking systems were under development.