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Support for Air and Electrical Cables

March 25, 2018

Air and electrical cables that are chaffed, cracked and rubbing or dragging on the deck plate are DOT violations which also become a CSA issue. Failing to secure brake hose/tubing against mechanical damage is a 4-point CSA violation. To avoid fines and the damage caused by cables and air lines dragging on the deck plate, one can opt for a combination air and electrical assembly with high-quality cable support.

Cable Support
Combination air and electrical assemblies are heavier than their coiled counterparts, requiring a thicker gauge, galvanized spring in the tender spring kit to accommodate for the additional weight, and a cable clamp hose holder to accommodate for the application. The following are tips to consider when choosing and installing a tender spring kit:

  • The tender spring(s) should be galvanized to avoid rust and deterioration of the integrity of the spring.
  • The tender spring(s) should be made of stiff, thick gauged wire. If the gauge is thin, the spring will wear out quickly allowing the hoses to hang lower, causing the potential for dragging along the deck plate.
  • The best way to support a combination assembly is to use two tender spring kits with heavy gauge springs. Using two tender spring kits offers better support and spring retention than one kit alone.
  • Do not over-tighten the cable clamp on the assembly. This helps avoid possible pinching of the lines, which can cause damage such as chaffing.
  • Attach the cable clamp to the assembly so that the nut is facing away from the back of the tractor to help avoid damage to the back of the cab.

Back of Cab Cable SupportCable Protection
Spiral wrap is used to neatly bundle combination assemblies together while protecting them from damage due to abrasion. An alternative to spiral wrap, are nylon wraps. Most, if not all, nylon wraps available on the market today use hook and loop to quickly open and close the wrap, which allows for easier maintenance and inspection than spiral wrap. When selecting nylon wraps, they should be weather-proof to keep the elements out, and UV coated to protect from the sun.

Stowage
When not in use, the hoses on the back of a tractor need to be secured in a plug holder to avoid damage. When choosing a plug holder, non-metallic angled versions are recommended. Plug holders made from non-metallic materials are resistant to corrosion. Angled versions provide ease of use and help to prevent cable damage. Not only is the plug holder keeping the cables up and off the deck plate, but the angle at which the plug is connected to the plug holder puts less strain and pressure at the point where the plug and cable are connected. Too much strain will eventually cause damage to the cable.

Back of Cab Protection
As the tender spring pivots back and forth during the ride, and especially during abrupt stops, combination assemblies have the potential to bang up against the back of the cab and cause damage. Cable support, such as the X-TEND™ by Phillips, extends the tracker spring kit and cables out and away from the back of the cab. By avoiding contact between the back of the cab and the tracker spring kit(s) and cables, the back of the cab can remain free of scuffs, marring and any other type of damage.

TIPS

  • To avoid fines and the damage caused by cables and air lines dragging on the deck plate, one can opt for a combination air and electrical assembly with high-quality cable support.
  • Combination air and electrical assemblies are heavier than their coiled counterparts, requiring a thicker gauge, galvanized spring in the tender spring kit to accommodate the additional weight.
  • When choosing a plug holder, non-metallic angled versions are recommended.
  • To help keep the back of the cab free of scuffs, marring and any other type of damage caused by swaying combination assemblies, Phillips recommends the X-TEND™.

Special Thanks to Phillips Industries for this Tech Tips