This week I had the opportunity to see in person how an ABS works on a freightliner truck after I took apart an actuating valve last week and this week I took apart a differential. Inside was a spiral bevel gear set according to my text book I also looked up what a power divider does; it divides torque between the two drive axles and provides differential action between the two drive axles.

 On that same truck I attempted to align for our school project but I realized after I had been cranking on the tie rod that it had not been touched since it had came out of the factory and since I was not being paid I decided it best to work on and easier truck. For this project we used an interesting method with two straight edges on fish hooks (fabricated tools), a piece of string and two measuring tapes. This method was fast and simple and very accurate.

 I also used a magnetic drill to drill a hole in the side of a steel frame within an eighth of an inch and I inspected an Alison transmission and made it work using the air hose I have a quick video of this I hope I can post without technological issues. Jeff our instructor also had us inspect another transmission with 6 speeds forward and one reverse. I have a video but i don't think I'll be able to post it along with half the pictures i have taken because of some technical difficulty.

 This week I have been reading  for a lot of my school time, I obtained; The Handbook For Renewable Energy Technology, Electric Power Generation, The Physics of Free Power Generation,  

The Homeowners Guide to Power Generation, Catalytic Micro Reactors, Home-Skills Wiring And Residential Wiring the  17^th edition.  There isn’t too much dire information in the beginning parts of the books I have started; just basics like the efficiency of battery storage vs. other sorts of storage I didn't even know existed such as water storage being used as energy storage, pumping water up a tower can be as much as 80% efficient. I also learned about the two designs for a micro hydro system the completely submerged one and the water wheel type, and the basic anatomy of the system itself. These books have really got the cogs turning as far as designing my micro hydro system. I am very excited to start building.

Hours this week: 30

Hours total:

This week I learned how to adjust the alignment on a Freightliner truck as seen here

We watched an instructional video

 were a man used a very simple method with a few simple tools. First we set the toe in on the steering axle 1/16 of an inch. To do this we used a fabricated tool as seen here:

Hours this week: 13 1/2
Hours total: 177 1/2

This is the week before last when I failed to post pictures of the 10 wheel end disassemble assignments.

This week I completed an assignment on control modulating valves. I choose to study the one on the freightliner in our shop. I found the valve, found the part number (550414), found the service information and dissembled it.  

 I had a hard time with one of the screws, I was proud of how mangled it was when i got that sucker out.

a control modulating valve applies the spring brakes gradually, so you can control the spring brakes if the service brakes fail. 

 

This is the break canister I took apart last week, as explained in previous blog.

This week I learned how to use a plasma cutter. I also learned how to disassemble an air break canister  easily.  I successfully trouble shot an air brake failure. I learned how to find the possible leak points in the schematic and how to pin point the issue. I also have disassembled a control modulating valve for ABS but that post is for tomorrow and I will also take that opportunity to post the pictures I have taken in class throughout the week.

Hours this week:26

Hours last week: 24

Hours total: 164

This week I learned how do disassemble, inspect hand reassemble air breaks on truck trailer drive and steering hubs. After following the recommended Wheel bearing adjustment 618. Here is a video of me using the dial indicator to test the free play to make sure it is to specification.

Last week I learned what cavitation is like and the symptoms it produces. I also learned how debilitating a leak in a hydraulic system can be over time. This week I did a lot of my own research because I felt like I needed to know more on breaks before I felt comfortable enough to disassemble and inspect them. I read good portions of the references I was given by Jeff, which helped much. I understand the mechanics of it now… those break-apart diagrams I was seeing in class didn’t make any sense to me at the time, now I can identify the parts and functions easily. I also spent some time finding a couple of heavy-duty break jobs to do outside of school (haven’t done them yet)…. Too bad my camera died I will have pictures before the end of next week. I haven’t yet flushed the hydraulic fluid in the Kubota because I haven’t gotten the proper fasteners to fix those damned leaks.

Time this week: 25

Time total: 114

 This is the tractor I am using to flaten my yard and dig a ditch for my electric.

I helped attach the back end digger it has its own hydralic system. This is the damned pin took quite a while of struggling to get in. I had to use a four by four and a brick..... But you gotta use what you got right?

I found two leaks this is one of them.

Here is the pump on the backend attachment.

Here is the rest of the system.

I went through and checked all the fluids

Here is leak number two under the hood.

Wow the oil is black.

This is one of the before pictures.

Here is the other tractor I have been using to pull everything out of the bushes. I love this thing look at all the sweet attachments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuajFbUNydo

This is a short cut to a video i found with some good infornmation on air brakes.

Time this week: 20

Time total:89