Daf LF.book - Peterbilt Motors Company

Coupling and Uncoupling
FIFTH WHEEL
The following directions for use apply in general to the fifth wheels on your vehicle.
Coupling
1. Pull out the fifth wheel handle. The jaw is now opened and ready for coupling.
2. Drive the tractor close to the semi-trailer and make sure that the coupling pin is
in the middle of the V-shaped fifth wheel opening.
3. Check that the coupling pin and the V-shaped opening are at the same height. If
necessary, adjust the height of the semi-trailer or tractor.
4. Reverse the tractor slowly until the semi-trailer is on the fifth wheel and the jaw
is locked by the coupling pin. The handle then springs back into its original
position.
5. Check whether the fifth wheel is locked by slowly driving a little forward.
6. Lock the handle as shown below (if necessary with a safety catch or a padlock).
7. Check that the semi-trailer is coupled to the fifth wheel without any air gaps and
that the automatic locking has in fact taken place.
8. When coupling check the coupling head rubbers of the air pipes of both the
prime mover and the semi-trailer for possible damage.
9. Connect the brake pipes and the cables for the lighting and ABS/EBS.
10. Retract the semi-trailer undercarriage.
Uncoupling
1. Ensure that the semi-trailer is braked.
2. Place wheel chocks in front and behind the semi-trailer wheels.
3. Wind down the semi-trailer undercarriage using quick operation until the feet
touch the ground. Switch to slow operation and wind down a few turns further.
Do not lift the semi-trailer from the fifth wheel.
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