WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED?
The most important thing is to handle the vehicle correctly. As a driver, I need to know what my truck can do technically – that’s the key! Thorsten Helbig is a trainer at MAN ProfiDrive® and also is a trainer on the off-road training courses.
HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE THIS EXPERTISE AT MAN PROFIDRIVE®?
The theory section of the course is all about explaining the requirements of an off-road vehicle. We look at different gearshift systems and what is installed in the truck. We look at how lock management works, and how wheel traction can be optimised with it. We also address the engageable and permanent drives.
WHAT TECHNICAL FEATURES DO THE PARTICIPANTS THEN USE IN THE PRACTICAL SECTION?
For example, we move off on uphill and downhill gradients using different drive concepts and locks. Either the tyres of one axle are connected transversely or the drive axles are connected longitudinally to ensure safety on off-road terrain. We use ABS and off-road ABS on some surfaces in order to keep control of the steering and of the vehicle. We also test how the various continuous brake systems that are installed – retarder, intarder or PriTarder – have a positive impact.
WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLES DO YOU USE FOR OFF-ROAD TRAINING?
We have five vehicles that meet all aspects that we use as standard: a 4x2H with engageable MAN HydroDrive, an 8x4H, an 8×8 with permanent all-wheel drive and a 4×4. To show the participants all the essentials, we also use a truck with a five-person crewcab. A real off-road specialist then controls the truck and we drive down the hill together. It is an extraordinary driving experience!