Privacy | Legal

Table of Contents Back | Next | Cover Page

Technology & Development Center

Driver-Operator Guide

Chapter 4—Heavy Trucks and Buses

• Operators
• Operation
• Preventive Maintenance

Operators

Only fully qualified personnel shall drive USDA Forest Service trucks and buses. This qualification must be listed on the driver’s OF-346, Operator’s Identification Card, with the maximum size of the vehicle noted. All drivers must have a physical examination certificate that meets State and Federal requirements and a valid State license for the class of vehicle they operate.

Operation

1. The operator is responsible for complying with all local, Federal, and State requirements for loading and hauling.
   
   
2. Obtain required State and local permits for overweight, overheight, and overwidth loads.
   
   
3. Ensure that the overall length of the vehicle and the load is in accordance with local and State regulations.

Safety Rules

Follow the general safety practices and inspection procedures described in chapter 1. Additional guidance follows:

1. On a vehicle with air brakes, follow the procedures below to detect problems before new brakes are needed:

• Check the slack adjustment on S-Cam brakes.
  
  
• Check the brake drums, linings, and hoses.
  
  
• Test the low air-pressure warning signal.
  
  
• Check to see that the spring brakes come on automatically.
  
  
• Check the rate of air pressure buildup.
  
  
• Test the air leakage rate.
  
  
• Check the air compressor governor cutout pressure.
  
  
• Test the parking brake and service the brakes.
  
  
• Check the safety relief valve, and bleed off the condensation from the air tanks unless the system has automatic drain valves.
  
  
• Check the manufacturer’s and commercial driver’s license (CDL) brake test requirements and specifications.

2. Obey established State and local speed limits. Adjust your speed according to driving conditions. You should always be able to stop within less than half the distance you can see ahead. The rule is that you need 1 second of following interval for each 10 miles per hour, up to 40 miles per hour and an additional second for reaction time. Speeds greater than 40 miles per hour require 5 seconds following distance. Allow 2 seconds and an additional second for every 10 miles per hour over 20 miles per hour, up to 5 seconds for trucks over 18,000 GVWR.
   
   
3. Ensure that the load hauled on a truck or a truck-trailer is properly balanced and secured. If required, ensure that it is covered.
   
   
4. Ensure that the vehicle is equipped with the following:

• Lights, reflectors, and markers. Ensure that lights, reflectors, and markers comply with State vehicle code requirements.
  
  
• Flares or other authorized warning devices. Flares or fusees can be dangerous at an accident scene because they can set fire to leaking fuel. Safety officials recommend using reflective triangle devices instead of flares or fusees, if possible.
  
  
• Chock blocks. All heavy trucks should be equipped with chock blocks.

5. After 8 continuous offduty hours, operators may drive for 10 hours. They must be off duty for another 8-hour period before driving again. The 10 hours of driving must be accomplished within the first 15 hours on duty. After that, even if no driving occurred during that onduty time, the operator cannot drive until having had 8 hours of rest. Hours may be more restrictive for fire suppression activities.

Transporting Personnel

1. All vehicles used for transporting personnel shall have:

• A seat belt for the driver’s seat.
  
  
• Seats properly anchored to the vehicle.
  
  
• Sufficient steps for loading and unloading.

2. Personnel and tools or supplies shall be transported together only:

• When tools are enclosed in a substantial toolbox that is attached to the vehicle and equipped with a securely fastened cover.
  
  
• In emergencies, with tools wrapped in canvas or other material and lashed to the vehicle.

3. Passengers shall not be permitted to ride on top of any load.
   
   
4. Passengers shall not ride in a passenger vehicle that is carrying explosives, toxic materials, or flammable substances. Gasoline in U.S. Department of Transportation-approved 2-gallon safety cans that are adequately secured may be carried with passengers.
   
   
5. The driver or person in charge shall be sure that everyone is seated and supervised while the vehicle is in motion.
   
   
6. Do not overload or crowd personnel in a vehicle.
   
   
7. Passengers shall ride only in the cab of a motor vehicle. This means:

• Each passenger shall have an approved seat position.
  
  
• Arms and legs must not extend outside the vehicle cab.
  
  
• Passengers must be seated while the vehicle is in motion.
  
  
• No one is permitted to ride on the hood, fender, or running board. Riders may stand behind the driver’s seat, but may not stand farther forward than the rear of the driver’s seat.

8. Avoid fueling a vehicle with passengers inside unless absolutely necessary. Never refuel in a closed building with passengers inside.

Operating Procedures

Use of Gears

1. Operators must be thoroughly familiar with the use of gears for descending hills. Be in the correct gear before starting down the hill. Use a lower gear for going down the hill than would be required to go up the hill. Vehicles equipped with a two-speed rear differential should be in low range before descending a hill.
   
   
2. To avoid changing gears while climbing a hill, select the proper gear before beginning to climb.
   
   
3. If it is necessary to shift while climbing, do so before the motor lugs down.
   
   
4. If the vehicle stalls and must be backed downhill, shift into reverse gear.
   
   
5. Do not coast in neutral or by depressing the clutch.

Tire Care

Vehicles must not be driven with rocks lodged between the duals. Avoid running over or sideswiping rocks and other objects that will damage tires. Check tire wear. You need at least 4/32-inch tread depth in every major groove on the front wheels and 2/32-inch on all other wheels. Fabric should not show through the tread or sidewall. Regrooved tires on the steering axle are prohibited. Recapped or retreaded tires are prohibited on the steering axle of buses, but are permitted on other kinds of vehicles.

Two-Speed Axle

When a truck or bus is equipped with a two-speed rear axle, the driver must be trained in its use to ensure maximum efficiency and safety. Follow the instructions located on the dash or in the operator’s manual. Avoid clashing gears.

Special Types of Equipment

Dump Trucks

1. When working on a truck with the bed raised, securely block the bed in position.
   
   
2. When it is necessary to lower a load, do so with extreme caution to avoid damage to the hoist’s pump or truck frame. Such damage can be avoided by slowly releasing the hoist control until the bed starts creeping downward. Maintain this position until the bed is completely down.
   
   
3. When combination dump and stake beds are being used as dump trucks, take special care to avoid overloading.
   
   
4. Center the load over the rear axle.
   
   
5. Disengage the power takeoff when it is not being used.
   
   
6. Ensure that the hoist control mechanism cannot be accidentally engaged when hauling.
   
   
7. Always get out of the truck and stand clear when the truck is being loaded by a swing-boom loader that swings over the cab.
   
   
8. Only dump truck drivers or dump bosses shall trip the tailgate.

Stakeside Trucks

1. Maintain all racks, tailgates, and steps in good condition.
   
   
2. Take extra caution when hauling horses, cattle, or any other live cargo.
   
   
3. Check the load at least once each hour to ensure that it has not shifted and that the binders are tight.

Special Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Transports weighing more than 26,001 pounds GVW require special skills to operate.

1. Federal, State, and local regulations for securing the load, weight limits, and truck routes vary greatly. Know the regulations for the areas in which you will be driving.
   
   
2. On flatbed trucks and trailers without sides, tiedowns are required to keep cargo secure. The combined strength of all cargo tiedowns must be strong enough to lift 1½ times the weight of the piece of cargo that is tied down. Cargo should have at least one tiedown for each 10 feet of cargo.
   
   
3. When transporting a unit equipped with a turbocharged engine, seal the intake and exhaust ports to prevent possible turbocharger damage.

Preventive Maintenance

1. Preventive maintenance is covered in chapter 1, Preventive Maintenance. All drivers must be fully familiar with that material before operating any vehicle.
   
   
2. Preventive maintenance and safety checks must be made as directed by form FS 7100-9. All drivers must be familiar with the purpose and use of that form.
   
   
3. Special attachments, such as hoists and winches, must be checked as part of a form FS 7100-9 check to ensure that they are being properly maintained.
   
   
4. Different makes and models of vehicles require different kinds of lubrication. Every vehicle has a maintenance manual and lubrication guide that gives the details for proper lubrication of that vehicle. Drivers should study these details carefully.

Top Back | Next Cover Page

E-mail: wo_mtdc_webmaster@fs.fed.us	Technology & Development Center

 Visitor since February 9, 2007