M35A3 Air tank draining

[Franc Tireur]

How do you drain the air tanks on the deuce? There are 3 oblong valves...do you unscrew them all the way or just turn 90 degrees (ball valves?) How frequently should this be done?
Thanks.

 

[Hoefler]

The bottom of the air tanks has a 90 degree turn ball valve. Should drain every day. I usually do after every three drives or so. Am considering automatic drain valves for my truck.
Pete

 

[Franc Tireur]

Thanks. Does it matter whether the valves are rotated left or right (they seem to turn both ways?)

Also...what would it cost to put in automatic valves (ballpark)?

 

[Deuce007]

Thanks. Does it matter whether the valves are rotated left or right (they seem to turn both ways?)

Also...what would it cost to put in automatic valves (ballpark)?

The answer for question one is no it does not matter what direction you rotate them just as long as you always remember to close them after you are done draining the tanks.

As for question two I do not know but I am sure someone on the site will know.

 

[73m819]

]How do you drain the air tanks on the deuce?[/COLOR] There are 3 oblong valves...do you unscrew them all the way or just turn 90 degrees (ball valves?) How frequently should this be done?
Thanks.

Thanks. Does it matter whether the valves are rotated left or right (they seem to turn both ways?)

You nave to be KIDDING, For some STRANGE reason, I get the feeling that the -10 is not and has not been on the PERFERRED READING list.

Thie ranks right up there with " what is the red button for", " Can I cover the door on the floor with carpet", "I figured out how to start my deuce, HOW do I shut it off, it is STILL running", ECT.

 

[319]

Get three of these tank drains. All truck shops will have them, or order from here:
Air Tank Drain valve, 12104, Haldex-Midland - Ryder Fleet Products

 

[markmontana]

Get three of these tank drains. All truck shops will have them, or order from here:
Air Tank Drain valve, 12104, Haldex-Midland - Ryder Fleet Products

These are what I use and the easiest way to drain- for me. The A3 is a little hard to reach back behind the tire- compared to the A2.

 

[steelandcanvas]

I had a set of those cable operated drains on my A2, I wasn't impressed. They get dirty and don't seal right after draining, and that gives you a air leak to chase down. The drain petcocks in my opinion don't work well either, they fill up with crap causing your tanks not to drain completely. I took them off and put 1/4 turn ball valves on, that's the ticket, positive drain, and a handle you can find in the dark. Even you A3 Guys might be better off with the 1/4 turn ball valves. As for the OP installing auto-drains, if you have to ask which way to turn the drain valve to open it, I'd stay away from anything as complicated as an auto-drain. The -10 Operator's Manual is available in the Resources banner, top of the page. I suggest you read and get familiar with it.

 

[319]

I had a set of those cable operated drains on my A2, I wasn't impressed. They get dirty and don't seal right after draining, and that gives you a air leak to chase down. The drain petcocks in my opinion don't work well either, they fill up with crap causing your tanks not to drain completely. I took them off and put 1/4 turn ball valves on, that's the ticket, positive drain, and a handle you can find in the dark. Even you A3 Guys might be better off with the 1/4 turn ball valves. As for the OP installing auto-drains, if you have to ask which way to turn the drain valve to open it, I'd stay away from anything as complicated as an auto-drain. The -10 Operator's Manual is available in the Resources banner, top of the page. I suggest you read and get familiar with it.

Never had an issue with the valves fouling on either of my M35s. Always work great. The best part of the cable type is that you're not discouraged from draining your tanks daily because you have to reach or crawl beneath to open the drains. Quick, easy, and clean......oh, and simple to use, even if the operator didn't read the -10.

 

[AceHigh]

319 is correct as always, and to add to that this is on a M35A3, with the filter and dryer it is unlikely the valves on the bottom of the tank will fail as my A3 never had anything but clean air in the tanks.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

My M35A3 is stock, one of the tanks valves was clogged up, very little would come out of it(little bubbling). It eventually opened up the way it should be with use.

 

[Hoefler]

Ericks Military surplus has automatic ones for sale at about 55 bucks each.
Peye

 

[steelandcanvas]

Ericks Military surplus has automatic ones for sale at about 55 bucks each.
Peye

Ouch! For $110 I can climb under the truck all day and drain the tanks. But on the other hand, they might be nice for someone physically not able to drain tanks.

 

[mactiredearg]

Ericks Military surplus has automatic ones for sale at about 55 bucks each.
Peye

That'd be $165 plus shipping,etc for the A3s. We've got three drains instead of just the two...