![]() ![]() Make sure the head (bottom flange) of the pin is not sitting on top of jaw. The locking mechanism should be engaged across the entire throat of the fifth wheel and secured around the kingpin. Use a flashlight if necessary and go under the trailer and look into the back of the throat of the fifth wheel. If the locking tab or the safety chain cannot be fitted, the turntable is not locked. Some levers require a manual lock tab, this must be used to prevent the lever opening while towing. Get out and visually check that the coupling release lever or pull handle has fully retracted and the secondary locking latch has dropped into its downward position. Check the trailer is locked on by selecting first gear then letting up the clutch to the friction point, in first gear. For trailers without a block the turntable will need to be in the locked position and the top of the fifth-wheel well greased.Ĭheck locking bar is across the King pin and there is no air gap between the top of the fifth wheel and trailer skid plate Step – 3: Test. ![]() For fixed a fifth-wheel make sure the top plate is well greased or Non Metallic plate is not damaged.Now fifth wheel is in the open position and the jaw and wedge are set to accept the trailer king pin. With the handle pulled out swing it forward to engage the edge of the plate. If the jaw and wedge are visible lift the Secondary Safety Latch and move the handle towards the front to release the lock then pull the handle out as far as it will go. Make sure the jaw and wedge are not visible in the throat of the fifth wheel, this is known as the open position.Check the skid plate, kingpin, turntable, fifth-wheel and jaw for damage and size (i.e.Has the trailer got a block welded or bolted to the plate behind the kingpin? If so, is the turntable compatible and unlocked? This means that grease is not required on the top plate, giving the obvious benefits of reduced grease costs and less cleaning for maintenance.īefore coupling the prime mover to the trailer you should do the following inspection: Non-Metalic: Greaseless fifth wheels use Non Metallic pads to reduce friction between the skid plate and the fifth wheel top.Release Handle: The handle to release the jaw when uncoupling the trailer.Secondary Safety Latch: The tab that ensures the Release handle will not come loose during travel.Locking Bar/Wedge: The secondary mechanism to ensure the king pin is secure in the fifth wheel.Jaw: The mechanism that wraps around the king pin securing it to the fifth wheel.Throat: The opening at the rear of the fifth wheel to allow the king pin to easily move into the jaw.The front of the plate is usually curved upwards to enable the prime mover to slide more easily under the trailer during coupling. Skid Plate: A thick steel plate fixed to the underside of the front of a semi-trailer and incorporating the kingpin (and often a block to keep the skid plate from turning on the upper part of fifth wheels mounted on ballrace turntables).However it is also the pin around which a steerable wheel rotates in the vertical axis. King pin: A pin on a semi-trailer skid plate that locks into a prime mover’s fifth wheel jaw – this is the one we refer to in this document.On trailers fitted with a block the trailer moves with the top plate of the fifth wheel. Ballrace Turntable: Has a base fixed to the prime mover and the top attached the to fifth wheel and it rotates easily via series of internally mounted ball bearing.A fixed Fifth-wheel as the term suggested is fixed to the prime mover and the king pin and trailer skid plate rotate while resting on top of the fifth wheel. Fifth wheel: A device used for coupling a prime mover to a semi-trailer.“We run a comprehensive online training system on how to Couple and Uncouple a Fifth Wheel on a prime mover not just for our own staff, but we make it available for anyone working in the transport industry too,” Mick Linger said.Ī dropped trailer causes damage to equipment and has expensive recovery costs Definitions However it’s not all bad news, Highland Haulage owner Mick Linger firmly believes that training and refresher courses for all drivers will make the industry much safer and more profitable with less costs wasted repairing damaged equipment. “I can’t emphasis enough to drivers that they need to walk around their truck and check their trailers are connected after each stop, especially when they’ve parked in a public truck stop.” “We are hearing of this more and more,” Bob said. Visually inspect to see there are no obstructions when coupling Visual InspectionĪccording to Jost Australia’s Bob Martin, this has caused several fleets to amend their operating procedures to include a visual inspection to ensure the trailers are coupled at the end of every fatigue break. ![]()
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