Allison Transmission Retarder

[Jay Darst]

Ron,

The trans retarder on my Bird is tied right into the brake system.
When I apply the brakes, the retarder commences as well.

A little brake pedal activates the retarder. The brakes are doing
almost nothing at this point. Apply more brake pedal, more retarder
action and a little more service brake action.

Problem with retarder is it gets the trans fluid REALLY hot quick.

99% of the time, I use the brake treadle to use the retarder. Maybe
1% of the time will I engage the trans retarder via the lever.

Going down steep hills- slow way down at the top, use a lower gear,
and use the brakes/retarder internittently heavy. When coming down
Mont Eagle(a 6-7% grade) I used 4th gear and as speed reached 45mph,
I would STAND on the brakes momentarily to bring speed back down to
under 40 mph. Then release brake treadle to allow monmentary cooling
of brakes, drums and trans fluid.

Werks good for me...

Jay Darst
85PT40 w/Allison MTB654CR
Springfield, IL
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ron & Patty"
wrote:
>
> Living in the West, I've had occasion to drive down as much as a
14%
> grade, and we're descending 5% to 7% grades regularly here. I've
not
> seen a discussion as how to use the retarder most effectively. Nor
> have I any manuals describing the proper operating procedure
either.
> I would appreciate knowing how you use yours, and think it may
> interest some others as well.
>
> How do you use your retarder descending mountains?
> Specifically, how do you regulate the retarder lever for a
particular
> degree of descent?
> Do you use it on the flats as well?
> Other than inclement weather, when would you not use it and why?
> Thanks ..
>
> Ron, 85PT36, No. California
>