PART 5: SEAT AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS INSPECTION OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(R10/06) Y53-6007 – 63 –
injury may occur if head clearance is not
adequate. Shorten the tether belt as neces
-
sary to provide adequate head clearance.
• Make sure the tether belt is attached to the cab deck
and seat frame. It should be routed through the buckle
on each side.
• To lengthen the tether, turn the buckle to a right angle
to the webbing. Then pull the buckle. To shorten the
tether, pull on the strap.
Inspection of the Restraint System
WARNING! Failure to properly inspect and
maintain restraint systems can lead to serious
injury or loss of life. Without periodic inspec
-
tion and maintenance to detect unsafe condi-
tions, seat restraint components can wear out
or not protect you in an accident.
The typical three-point seat systems in passenger cars
may seem very similar to the three-point seat belt system
in heavy duty vehicles, but there are some key differences
that all users of this system should be aware of:
• In typical passenger vehicle automotive seat belt
applications, the normal life of the vehicles is usually 8
to 10 years and the total mileage frequently does not
exceed 125,000 miles (200,000 km). Heavy duty vehi
-
cles often see this type of mileage in a very short
period of time, and accumulation of mileage in excess
of 500,000 miles (800,000 km) during the vehicle life
-
time is not unusual.
• A significant difference in the two systems is the
amount of movement of webbing in the system. In an
automotive application, there is little movement of the
seat belt system, except when the user puts on or
takes off the belt. In trucks, however, there is almost
constant movement of the belt through hardware due
to ride characteristics and seats which are designed
to move, in order to enhance driver comfort. There
can even be movement of the webbing in the seat belt
system when the belt in not being used. Relative
movement between the seat and the cab, which nor
-
mally occurs whenever the truck is in operation, can
cause wear of the seat belt webbing.
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