How a Clutch Brake works with a Roadranger transmission

How a clutch brake works is explained in detail in this introduction to trucking video, which is a must see for all new truck drivers. In this trucking 101 video, we’re going to take look at the clutch brake and we’ll discuss its function, how to operate it correctly and finally, point out a few bad habits that can severely damage the clutch brake and shorten its life considerably.

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If your truck is fitted with a manual Eaton Fuller Roadranger transmission then it will have a clutch brake mounted on the input shaft of the transmission between the front of the transmission and the clutch release bearing.

The main purpose of the transmission clutch brake is to stop the rotation of the transmission gears and input shaft. This allows for quicker engagement of a selected gear, either first or reverse, when moving off from an initial start.

Severe damage can be done to the clutch brake if it is used while the vehicle is in motion.

All Kenworth trucks fitted with an Eaton manual transmission leave the factory fitted with a torque-limiting clutch brake, which is ideal for all severe-duty applications, such as outback truckers and heavy haulage operations. These feature a hub with a pair of self-contained Belleville washers that are designed to slip after approximately 12ftlb (16Nm) of torque.

This provides smoother engagement and protects the clutch brake from overloading or tang breakage resulting from driver abuse. This style of clutch brake is a one-piece design that can only be installed with the transmission removed.

Incidentally clutch brakes have been around since the 1920s in one form or another, the torque limiting clutch brake was introduced in 1973 by the Dana Corporation.

If you maintain the correct clutch and clutch brake adjustment, and drive your truck correctly it is not uncommon to get many years of trouble-free life from your clutch brake.