Operator`s manual

OPERATION
297
ENGINE OPERATION
General
Proper operation, driving techniques and maintenance are key factors
in obtaining the maximum life and economy from a modern
turbocharged diesel engine. This section has operational information
about the components that make up the engine.
When changing gears, avoid lugging to extend engine life. When the
engine is operating at full throttle and maximum governed speed
cannot be reached or maintained, the engine is lugging. When
approaching a hill requiring more power, it is necessary to downshift
the transmission as the vehicle goes into the grade. Accelerating to the
governed engine speed will give additional power at approximately the
same road speed. For shifting instructions, see the transmission
manufacturer's operator's manual.
Always start moving the load in a gear low enough so that the engine
can be accelerated to the governed speed. Then shift to the next gear
as the engine decelerates. For loaded vehicles, do not skip a gear or
lug the engine while getting up to cruising speed. For empty or light
loads, it is permissible to skip gears.
When operating on a level highway or at cruising speed, hold the
engine speed at approximately 1400 to 1600 rpm for large
displacement engines to achieve power and economical fuel
consumption.
The operator should understand the operating characteristics of the
engine the vehicle is equipped with. Modern diesel engines have
maximum torques at much lower engine speeds than in the past. As
such, these engines are designed to perform satisfactorily at a lower
speed. New transmissions with wide ratio steps between gears
demand the use of these engines.
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