{"id":4833,"date":"2022-10-26T08:42:06","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T21:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/?p=4833"},"modified":"2022-10-26T08:42:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T21:42:06","slug":"whats-an-auxiliary-engine-on-a-truck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/whats-an-auxiliary-engine-on-a-truck\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s an auxiliary engine on a truck?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An auxiliary engine is usually a small engine, tucked away under the chassis which powers auxiliary equipment on the truck or trailer. This could be a hydraulic pump for a swing-lift trailer, an air compressor on a tyre service truck, a vacuum unit on a sweeper truck, or an air conditioning compressor for a refrigerated trailer. If they fail, they can lead to lost revenue for the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Auxiliary engine located between the chassis rails on a swing lift trailer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An auxiliary engine will have a separate service schedule based on the number of hours it has been run, whereas the vehicle itself is usually serviced based on the number of kilometres driven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Auxiliary engine control panel showing the hours meter on the left. Ensure you know how to start and stop it and what the warning lights mean<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Start and stop procedure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An auxiliary engine is not PTO<\/a> – that uses power provided from keeping the main engine running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re renting a truck, ensure that you know where this is because it needs to be checked daily. It can sometimes be behind a panel. The pre-start check might be listed on the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Roadsweeper checklist including type of oil to use for the auxiliary engine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If not, it should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n