EMERGENCY - How to Recover a Vehicle How to Manually Lock a Differential Always lock the differential when the axles are being removed to aid in re-installation. Follow these procedures if the vehicle has a driver controlled differential lock. If you desire to use the recovered vehicle’s brakes, ensure that the vehicles air system is connected to that of the recovery vehicle. Also ensure that any air line that has been removed from a driver- controlled main differential lock is firmly capped to prevent loss of air pressure from the recovery vehicle. If you don’t desire to use the recovered vehicle’s brakes, ensure that you cage the spring brakes before attempting to move the vehicle. 1.
Remove the air line and firmly cap the air line from the vehicle. (2) 2. Remove the caging bolt from its storage hole. (1) 3. Screw the caging bolt into the air line hole. (2) When fully engaged, a 0.25 - 0.5 in. (6.35-12.7 mm) space will remain between the air cylinder and the bolt head. This action will lock the differential by pushing a piston into a “lock” position. be in an accident involving death or personal injury. Ensure that any air line that has been removed from a driver- controlled main differential lock is firm- ly capped to prevent loss of air pres- sure from the recovery vehicle if it is supplying air pressure.
2 This procedure should be done before the axle shafts are removed. CAUTION CAUTION Failure to install the caging bolt when towing vehicles with driver-control main differential lock can result in damage by failing to lock internal com- ponents in position. A recovered vehicle will have no op- erational brake system. Additionally, the rear axle spring brakes will proba- bly be applied. WARNING An open air line on the recovered vehi- cle will cause a leak in the air system of the recovery vehicle if both vehicles’ brake systems are connected.
This could cause a loss of system air, which can cause the service brakes not to function, resulting in the sudden appli- cation of the spring brakes causing wheel lock-up, loss of control, or over- take by following vehicles. You could 1. Caging bolt storage location 2. Location of air line to differential lock actuator Recovery Hitch Capacities The maximum rated loads for vehicle recovery varies depending on the direction or angle of pull. These capacities are listed 54 Y53-6047-2HEN (03/18)