Tailgate tidbit.

There's no doubt that cold weather can cause the dump truck's tailgate and material control system (MCS) to move slowly.

But before you point a finger at Mother Nature, make sure the air tank for the tailgate and material control system is drained.

This tank is seldom drained because it's in the back of the dump truck under the tailgate's cover. But when the temperature drops, condensation gets into the air lines and solenoid-controlled air cylinders.

During operation, that condensation causes the tailgate to become sluggish or to lock up. Dumping operations come to a halt because the tailgate won't open or close.

So before you call it a day, pull the air tank pull cable to let any water out. Release the pull cable when all the water and air have drained out. This procedure is Step 16 of the operator's PMCS in TM 5-3805-264-14&P.