FIFTH WHEELS
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Holland Simplex and Simplex II Series Fifth Wheels Holland Simplex II
Also, available as right-hand release Holland Simplex II RH Holland Simplex XL-FW458 1 GENERAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Simplex Fifth Wheels are designed for coupling to a 2 diameter SAEJ-700 kingpin for over-the-road semi-trailer operation meeting U.S. standard, federal and state legal axle load limits. The capacities of 70,000 lbs. static vertical and 200,000 lbs. trailing loads for SIMPLEX II and 55,000 lbs. static vertical and 150,000 trailing loads for Simplex are not to be exceeded. The free movement of fifth wheel components, including the handle, lever bar, lock and jaw, is essential to proper locking and unlocking of a fifth wheel. Blocking, bracing and other items used to secure a fifth wheel during transport can limit or compromise the free movement of fifth wheel components, resulting in a "false couple" where the wheel is not locked. This condition can result in the separation of trucks in transit causing property damage, serious injury or death. Always visually check to assure that bracing is not interfering with components and that the wheel is locked after you attempt to couple. The improper installation, use and/or maintenance of any fifth wheel, can result in an unintended separation of the trailer from the tractor with potential for serious personal injury or loss of life and/or major property damage. Do not use the operating handle to move or lift fifth wheel. Do not attach cables or hooks to the handle as this misuse may result in damage and thereby prevent proper operation. The driver must be familiar with the content of the Danger Tag affixed to the side of the fifth wheel near the operating handle (FIGURE 1) and the Driver's Card that is furnished with each fifth wheel must be kept in the tractor cab. These FIGURE 1 shows the location of danger tag on left hand fifth wheels. On Simplex II RH (right hand), the danger tag is located on the opposite side. items describe the fifth wheel coupling and uncoupling procedures which must be executed before moving a tractor/trailer and/or dolly combination. Check to make sure the OEM has not painted over the danger tag. The danger tag is protected by a peel off transparent cover which can be removed if painted. No one should be around the tractor, trailer or fifth wheel when coupling or uncoupling the tractor and trailer. Additional danger tags and/or danger cards (Holland part #4000190) may be obtained from Holland. FIGURE 1 COUPLING PROCEDURE (NON AIR RIDE SUSPENSION)
NOTE: If truck is equipped with air ride suspension refer to the section "Coupling & Uncoupling Procedure (Air Ride Suspension)" on page 5. 1. Apply the tractor and trailer brakes before attempting to couple; place chock blocks at trailer wheels. FIGURE 3 Inspect the fifth wheel and stationary brackets or slider for damaged or missing parts and loose or missing mounting bolts. Be sure that the top surface of the fifth wheel is tilted downward to the rear and adequately lubricated. Adjust the landing gear so that the height of the trailer at first contact with the fifth wheel plate will be approximately 8 behind bracket center. (FIGURE 2) FIGURE 2 Be sure that the fifth wheel jaw is in the unlocked or open position (FIGURE 3) and the operating rod is at the extended position (FIGURE 4). If not as illustrated, pull operating rod to extended position, use a bar or block to rotate jaw to the open position. (FIGURE 5) The lock is spring loaded. Keep hands away from lock and jaw to avoid injury. FIGURE 4 continued 2 XL-FW458 COUPLING PROCEDURE (NON AIR RIDE SUSPENSION)
FIGURE 5
b. continued The operating rod is fully retracted. Safety indicator is positioned above the handle and swings freely. (FIGURE 8) FIGURE 8 2. While maintaining alignment of the tractor and trailer or converter dolly, slowly back tractor until the fifth wheel contacts the trailer (FIGURE 6). Proceed with just enough power to lift the trailer and level fifth wheel. Continue rearward movement until there is full trailer resistance. The fifth wheel locking action is automatic. c. FIGURE 6 When locked, the kingpin is in the fifth wheel slot with jaw closed behind pin. The lock is engaged when the jaw and lock tip are visible in the fifth wheel slot. (FIGURE 7) This must be viewed from the rear. Use a flashlight if available light is not adequate. 4. Check kingpin clearance by moving the tractor forward and backward with trailer brakes set. If clearance exceeds 1/8 or there is inability to lock, the wheel should be inspected by a qualified mechanic. Sound and tug tests are not reliable for proper coupling verification. Failure to properly couple tractor and trailer could result in a separation causing death and property damage. 3. Before departure, the driver must visually verify that: a. The trailer bed plate is resting on the top surface of the fifth wheel plate. (FIGURE 7) NO GAP is visible between the fifth wheel and trailer bed plate. To measure the horizontal movement between the upper and lower halves (kingpin clearance) apply the trailer brakes and move the tractor forward (stretched units). Scribe two lines, one on the side of the fifth wheel plate above the pin hole and another line on the underside of the trailer bed plate even with the line on the fifth wheel. Move the tractor rearward and scribe another line, even with the line on the fifth wheel, on the underside of the trailer bed plate (compressed units). See FIGURE 9. The horizontal movement between the upper and lower halves is the distance between the two scribed lines on the underside of the trailer bed plate. FIGURE 9 FIGURE 7
LOCK TIP
TRAILER JAW Scribe line on the underside of the trailer (stretched units) Scribe line on the fifth wheel Scribe line on the underside of the trailer (compressed units) BRACKET TRUCK FRAME KINGPIN BRACKET XL-FW458 3 UNCOUPLING PROCEDURE (NON AIR RIDE SUSPENSION)
NOTE: If truck is equipped with air ride suspension refer to the section "Coupling & Uncoupling Procedure (Air Ride Suspension)" 1. Before attempting to uncouple apply the tractor and trailer brakes. Place chock blocks at trailer wheels. Lower the trailer landing gear sufficiently to raise trailer approximately 1/2. LOCKED POSITION - Pivoting jaw and spring actuated lock encircle the kingpin (not shown). In the locked position, the safety indicator (A) swings freely over the operating rod (B). (FIGURE 10). Pull the operating rod out. When the operating rod shoulder is outside the fifth wheel operating slot, raise the operating rod handle and place the upper operating rod shoulder against the plate casting above the operating rod slot. The fifth wheel is now in the lockset position and is ready for uncoupling. (FIGURE 12) FIGURE 12 FIGURE 10 A 3. OPEN POSITION (FIGURE 13) - With the operating rod in the lockset position, the trailer may be uncoupled. Release tractor brakes and pull the tractor away from the trailer. B
2. UNLATCHED (LOCKSET) - to unlock, manually rotate the safety indicator toward the rear of the fifth wheel. (FIGURE 11) FIGURE 13 FIGURE 11 As the tractor (or dolly) is pulled away from the trailer, the kingpin forces the jaw to rotate, contacting the lock. Continued rotation of the jaw forces the lock to move outward and drops the operating rod out of lockset. The wheel is now ready for recoupling. Driver must be familiar with location and content of Danger Tag affixed to side of fifth wheel near operating rod. The tag describes the coupling procedures which must be followed before moving tractor-trailer (dolly) combination. The Driver's Card, to be kept in the tractor cab, describes the steps outlined in section "Coupling Procedure (Non Air Ride Suspension). Additional copies may be obtained from Holland.
4 XL-FW458 COUPLING PROCEDURE (AIR RIDE SUSPENSION)
NOTE: This information is for reference only. Use the following information to create procedures that match your particular application and vehicle. It is the operator's responsibility to ensure that proper trailer coupling and uncoupling procedures are used for a particular situation and vehicle application. 1. The fifth wheel should be in the FULL DOWN position and adequately lubricated. (FIGURE 14) Be sure that the fifth wheel jaw is in the UNLOCKED or open position. (FIGURE 15) If the jaw is in the locked position, use a bar or block to rotate jaw to the open position. (FIGURE 16) The lock is spring loaded. Keep hands away from lock and jaw to avoid injury. 2. 3. 4. Deflate the air bags. Apply the tractor and trailer brakes before attempting to couple; place chock blocks at trailer wheels. Align the tractor with the front of the trailer or converter dolly, centering the fifth wheel to the center line of the trailer. The leading edge of the trailer should initially contact the fifth wheel plate between bracket center and 4 forward of bracket center. Adjust the landing gear to obtain this trailer height. (FIGURE 17) FIGURE 17 TRAILER FIFTH WHEEL FIGURE 14
FIFTH WHEEL KINGPIN RAMP TIPS LANDING GEAR FIGURE 15 5. Slowly back the tractor UNDER the trailer until the ENTIRE fifth wheel disappears under the leading edge of the trailer. STOP approximately 12 from the kingpin. (FIGURES 18 and 19) FIGURE 18 KINGPIN FIFTH WHEEL FIGURE 16
TRAILER FIGURE 19 TRAILER FIFTH WHEEL KINGPIN LANDING GEAR XL-FW458 5 COUPLING PROCEDURE (AIR RIDE SUSPENSION)
6. 7. Inflate the air bags. Back firmly but not abusively into the trailer kingpin until there is full trailer resistance. The fifth wheel locking action is automatic. As an INITIAL check, pull forward to test for a complete coupling. Crank the trailer landing gear to its fully retracted position according to the landing gear manufacturer's instructions. continued c. When locked, the kingpin is in the fifth wheel slot with the jaw closed behind pin. The lock is engaged when the jaw and lock tip are visible in the fifth wheel slot. (FIGURE 20) This must be viewed from the rear. Use a flashlight if available light is not adequate. 8. Sound and tug tests are not reliable for proper coupling verification. Failure to properly couple tractor and trailer could result in a separation causing death and property damage. 9. Before departure, the driver visually verify that: a. The trailer bed plate is resting on the top surface of the fifth wheel plate. NO GAP is visible between the fifth wheel and trailer bed plate. (FIGURE 20)
LOCK TIP 10. Check kingpin clearance by moving the tractor forward and backward with trailer brakes set. If clearance exceeds 1/8 or there is inability to lock, the wheel should be inspected by a qualified mechanic. To measure the horizontal movement between the upper and lower halves (kingpin clearance) apply the trailer brakes and move the tractor forward (stretched units). Scribe two lines, one on the side of the fifth wheel plate above the pin hole and another line on the underside of the trailer bed plate even with the line on the fifth wheel. Move the tractor rearward and scribe another line, even with the line on the fifth wheel, on the underside of the trailer bed plate (compressed units). See FIGURE 22. The horizontal movement between the upper and lower halves is the distance between the two scribed lines on the underside of the trailer bed plate. FIGURE 20 FIGURE 22
JAW TRAILER KINGPIN Scribe line on the underside of the trailer (stretched units) Scribe line on the fifth wheel Scribe line on the underside of the trailer (compressed units) b. The operating rod is fully retracted. Safety indicator is positioned above the handle and swings freely. (FIGURE 21) BRACKET FIGURE 21
TRUCK FRAME BRACKET 6 XL-FW458 UNCOUPLING PROCEDURE (AIR RIDE SUSPENSION)
Do not move the tractor when a person is working with the fifth wheel. Do not deflate the air bags prior to uncoupling. Deflating before uncoupling may result in damage to the fifth wheel, kingpin or both. 1. 2. 3. Apply the tractor and trailer brakes before attempting to uncouple; place chock blocks at trailer wheels. Lower the trailer landing gear until it contacts the ground according to the landing gear manufacturer's instructions. Unlock the fifth wheel. See item 2 on page 4. If the operating rod is difficult to pull, back the tractor into the trailer to relieve any kingpin load against the fifth wheel jaw. Pull the tractor away from the kingpin approximately 12 and STOP. DO NOT allow the fifth wheel to lose contact with the underside of the trailer bed plate. (FIGURE 23) 5. 6. Deflate the air bags. WAIT 30 seconds for full air bag deflation. With the air bag suspension lowered, pull tractor clear of the trailer and immediately restore the air bag suspension to the tractor manufacturer's operating height for proper operation. FIGURE 23 TRAILER FIFTH WHEEL KINGPIN LANDING GEAR 4. XL-FW458 7 TROUBLESHOOTING
Fifth wheel is difficult to couple to trailer
POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. Jaw pin is overadjusted for kingpin slack. ........................................Check the adjustment using a trailer with a new SAE Kingpin, or using a Holland Kingpin gauge* (Holland #________). Readjust if necessary. 2. Jaw opening is spread due to a high couple attempt. .....................Measure the jaw opening. If greater than 2.38, replace the jaw. 3. Bent lever bar. .....................................................................................Inspect. Replace, if required. 4. Bent operating rod. .............................................................................Inspect. Replace, if required. 5. Jammed safety indicator......................................................................Inspect the operating rod. If the rod is bent, replace it. 6. Bent cover plate is interfering with lock movement. .......................Inspect the cover plate for flatness. Replace if necessary. 7. Accumulated grime restricts lock operation. .....................................Clean. Add grease to the moving parts and check its operation. 8. Air bags are not fully inflated.............................................................Inflate the air bags. If the tractor air bags are still not properly inflated, see the section "Coupling and Uncoupling Procedure (Air Ride Suspension)" starting on page 5. 9. Top plate is damaged just below the eccentric jaw pin...................Replace the top plate casting and the entire fifth wheel assembly. * The kingpin gauge tester (Holland # ____________) is used to test proper fifth wheel coupling. It is NOT used to test uncoupling. Fifth wheel is difficult to uncouple to trailer
POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. Kingpin is applying longitudinal pressure to the jaw.......................Back the tractor toward the trailer to relieve pressure. 2. Jaw is adjusted too tightly. .................................................................Back the tractor toward the trailer to relieve pressure on the jaw. Then, unlock the wheel. Readjust, if necessary. 3. Bent lever bar and/or operating rod..................................................Inspect and replace, if necessary. 4. Bent cover plate is interfering with lock movement. .......................Inspect the cover plate for flatness. Replace if necessary. 5. Kingpin is applying upward pressure to the jaw..............................Tractor air bags are not properly inflated. See the section "Coupling and Uncoupling Procedure (Air Ride Suspension)" starting on page 5. 6. Jaw is tight against the lock because the jaw opening was spread on a high couple, then forced to lock ..................................Back the tractor into the trailer to relieve pressure on the jaw. Fully extend the operating rod. Use a pry bar to disengage the lock from the jaw. Copyright © December 2004 · The Holland Group, Inc.
Holland USA, Inc. Facilities: Dumas, AR Holland, MI Monroe, NC Ph: 888-396-6501 Muskegon, MI Warrenton, MO Wylie, TX Fax: 800-356-3929 Holland International, Inc. Holland, MI Phone: 616-396-6501 Fax: 616-396-1511 Holland Hitch of Canada, Ltd. Woodstock, Ontario · Canada Phone: 519-537-3494 Fax: 800-565-7753 Holland Equipment, Ltd. Norwich, Ontario · Canada Phone: 519-863-3414 Fax: 519-863-2398 Holland Hitch of Canada, Ltd. Surrey, British Columbia · Canada Phone: 604-574-7491 Fax: 604-574-0244 8 XL-FW458