Landing Gear

ABEJR2004 · Feb 20, 2006

What a fight I just had with my Landing Gear, Thank goodness I was just trying them out in my garage, lol

I have the type landing gear that you can drop the pads down and lock before you start to wind the legs down, and I do not think I was following the correct procedure. Had a time trying to get the pads back up and locked. (not the legs) So How do you best use this type landing gear, are landing pads only used if you need the extra lentgh?

AbeJr
D6425
FEDEXCC

davekc · Feb 20, 2006

Who makes your landing gear? I am not quite following putting pads down and then cranking the gear down. I think I am missing something?
Do these crank straight down or kind of unfold?

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

ABEJR2004 · Feb 20, 2006

davekc,

I will check the maker when I go to the garage later this evening.

Looking at the landing gear, it has a handle on each leg. And if you pull the handle the leg will extend itself and lock into a slot. Now I had done that before fully extending the gear(maybe I do not need to do this) I let the gear down to check operation , lifted the gear back up and had a hard time pushing the extentsions back up. Had to play with the handles to get them to release.

thanks

RichM · Feb 20, 2006

This setup sounds strange,most landing gear has a crank that you can lower or raise the legs. Can u give some more info?

davekc · Feb 20, 2006

They sound like the old Holland folding type. If they are hard to crank, set them at one inch from the ground when extended. When loading, drop the air out of your suspension. This will put the weight on the landing gear. Once loaded, refill suspension with air.
They will be just off the ground making them easier to crank up. If they are still hard to crank, then they need cleaned or the excess grease removed. The latter is more noticable the colder it gets.
The hard part with that style is that they roll back alittle prior to going (folding up).
Of course this is assuming you have the landing gear I think you have?

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

RichM · Feb 20, 2006

Isn't that they type of landing gear that swings down and then locks into place with a pin.

davekc · Feb 20, 2006

Yes very simular.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

raceman · Feb 25, 2006

Just for fun and just for me, could you say what kind of truck this is on please.

Raceman
OTR O/O

jaminjim · Feb 27, 2006

They sound like the ones I had on my old truck. You set the pin so that you don't have to crank them as far, and when you crank them down they are an inch or so off the ground. I think they are made that way so they fit a wider varity of truck heights. Put the pin at it's highest position and crank the gear down all the way, then pull pin and let the pad down to around one inch off the ground. after that just crank the gear up. never pulling the pin again.

It is hard to roll up because it may have not been used recently and just needs some oil on the legs to free it up. you can also use greese but do so sparingly, very sparingly.

The only time you should have to readjust the pads is if you back down into a hole or something.

mrgoodtude · Feb 27, 2006

Hey Abe, I have the same setup on my M-2, I found some stuff at wally world called Primis Lube Gel (it is with the W-D 40 and spray silicones) Sray it on the legs with them fully extended and retract. I hate this type of setup but have found this stuff to be awesome even in zero degree weather. As for using the legs I drop them to about 4 inches off the ground, bump the dock and dump the airbags, sets me dock high every time. Hope this helps
Mike and Cyn

ABEJR2004 · Mar 1, 2006

How many of you with Tandems actually use your support legs?

I Forgot to check the maker of this type gear on my truck a 2001 Freightliner Century Class tandem axle,22ft ABC Box.

The support legs are not the folding or swing down type. They are the standard stationary post.

Jaminjim I beleive has the same type I was trying to describe, I could lower the legs but only so far and then would have to pull the pins that would release the extensions so they would hit the ground, or be just a few inches above. I was having a hard time pushing the extensions up after cranking the support legs. And the cranking itself was very stiff.

Mrgoodtude I will try the Primus Lube because I am sure the set-up needs a good greasing and to be broken in.

And one other little problem I came across. The crank is hitting the cargo doors when I have them open and latched to the sides. Is there a longer crank handle out there or are they a standard size.

Thanks Gang

AbeJr
(Still slightly a Newbie)
FedExCC
#D6425
OOIDA MEMBER

davekc · Mar 1, 2006

Any trailer shop can fabricate any type of crank handle. If it is still difficult to crank after a good lube, you may want to consider changing to a air operated system. It could be as simple as using a air chuck and drill, or something more elaborate.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

jaminjim · Mar 2, 2006

Once you have them adjusted with the Pin you never need to move the pin again. Unless you get to a dock that is on a hill then your legs may need to be shorter or longer. Just adjust once and then leave the pin alone. Proper adjustment would be about one inch off the ground. hope that helps remember the pin is pretty much a one thine adjustment.

Tennesseahawk · Mar 2, 2006

I had that kind of landing gear once. I like it because when I dropped them, I didn't usually have to crank, unless a heavy load went on, then I'd have to crank them up to pull the pin. Bad thing is they're heavy to lift back up, and it sux when it's slush or muddy outside.

ABEJR2004 · Mar 2, 2006

Thanks Guys, that sounds like a plan to me. I will find a good height adjustment and leave them be.

AbeJr
(Still slightly a Newbie)
FedExCC
#D6425
OOIDA MEMBER