Tom, Yeah, it's been awhile. Jeez, it probably has been 15 years now, after I think about it. Wow. That Detroit Series 60 sounds familiar....I think it (or something similar) was just being talked about as I was leaving the business. Heard good things about it. Is that the one you could simply change the computer chip and run the HP clear up to around 650? Admittedly, the only Detroit I drove was in a 1975 GMC single axle, hauling farm machinery. Lots of iron on my back and not enough Wheaties up front. When I went OTR it was a Cummins, then Cats. I still read Diesel Progress magazine, trying to keep up a little. The Tier 1,2,3, etc. emissions programs are interesting to follow. Reid
Sounds like you drove the Series 50 or 55 Detroit mechanical engines. The one I drive has been reprogrammed to 500 HP, not certain if the ECM can be re-chipped (it's a 98 model). I'm trying to keep abreast of the latest emissions regulations, more for my own curiousity than anything else. It appears that engines of 2007 and beyond may just be completely soot free. I've read that one manufacturer (forget who) has a test engine on the road which in some 10,000 miles of testing, still has shiny exhaust stacks on the inside of the stack. That's almost unbelievable when you think of engines of 20 or 30 years ago blowing all that black exhaust. :shock: Of course, all that comes with added cost, although cleaner emissions is worth it.
Yes, it is interesting, and I agree with you about the cleaner emissions. Still, I always loved the smell of a John Deere 4020 (404 6cyl) baling hay..... Deere, Detroit, Cummins, and almost all of them are using catalytic treatments to meet Tier Level technology, I think. Caterpillar is using something of their own, but now I can't remember the name of it. ACERB? Some of that stuff in Diesel Progress I don't entirely understand, but Dad gives me the magazines when he's done, so I read 'em. Kind of funny how the manufactures moaned "it couldn't be done". Very expensive, but for all it's problems, this country can do just about anything she wants when she gets focused.
You're close with Cat's name, it's ACERT, though I cannot remember what it stands for. I believe it involves exhaust gas recirculation, without catalytic converters. Do you remember when the engine manufacturers were assessed a total of $700,000,000.00 in fines by the EPA? That was due to fudging of emissions numbers during testing. Turned out that they were playing by EPA's rules, but interpreting them rather loosely. That was some serious motivation to clean up their act. I agree that once motivated, we can accomplish just about anything, either side of the border. :TU: Perhaps we ought to return this thread to its original theme. :grin: Sorry for the hijack Kimson. :bglasses: BTW, I'm a city boy born and raised, so never got the enjoyment of farm equipment. :ball:
To those that made negative remarks about those of US who do drrive with 2 feet effectively, safely, and without riding the brake I ask you this: WHY DOES THE BRAKE PEDAL HAVE A LEFT SIDE IF IT WASN"T MEANT TO BE USED ?!?!?!? ....and for the record, I've logged way over 1,000,000 miles in 26 years of driving - have never prematurely worn out a set of brake pads either ou: BTW Chris, your heel rests on the floor- it doesn't hover in the air
There is no right or left side - its just big so people can't miss it. Unfortunately, that doesn't help for the people who simply don't use it. :laugh:
Both feet. My reaction time to an accident avoidance situation is faster. In a situation, myself and my car will be fine, one-foot driver MUCH more likely to be in the ditch dead, or have killed someone else.
a bit of both,depends a lot on the vehicle (and i suppose whether dmv personnel are present)but generally prefer to assign one foot per pedal kinda like the homerow hand positions they teach you in a typing class,especially in an unfamiliar vehicle not that pedal layout is grievously different in most rigs.i guess what i am trying to say that in addition to throttle feathering it could be argued that this would benefit reaction time not having to make the transition. which at times is key where i live as there are a lot of deer on the roads and more importantly vehicles that slam brakes to avoid them presenting an even bigger hazard themselves.but on a more technical level have heard simultaneous two feet techniques described as beneficial with a lot of more modern rear and 4 wheel drive vehicles with out traction control cut off as the opening of the throttle encourages the rear end or all 4 wheels to distribute torque to the outside wheel(s) prior to entering the apex of a corner while applying the bulk of the braking force to the inside wheels to create rotational movement the system would otherwise eliminate allowing you to take a better line in and accelerate sooner coming out of it.and the opposite (tapping the brakes while accelerating)with front engine front wheel drives as a means of distributing weight to the front of the cars suspension prior to entering an easier corner i guess because the resulting suspension bound has some kind of sling shot effect allowing you to accelerate or maintain speed throughout the turn more effectively.i guess if theres any merit to these 2 techniques it surely isnt fuel economy or prolonging the life of your brakes but sure sounds like a lot of fun huh?also use one option not listed which is right foot gas and left foot ready to brake but not on the pedal until its needed. i suppose that way foot can rest on long drives(especially with brutal drums) and you can avoid that false brake lighting if your switch is really that sensitive or your foot isnt,but yeah more importantly footrest.and to the guy who says he is a better driver than anyone else but is afraid of getting sucked under his dash in the event of an accident as a result of not having that one foot on the floor......maybe you should invest in a 5 point harness.....and maybe a helmet....but just for walking around
I only ever used both feet once when I had to make an emergency stop with my old drum brakes and a lot of fade. It scared the hell out of me so I added front disc brakes. Now I am strictly a one foot driver. Unless I'm doing a burnout. I'll hold the brake just a little for a nice smokey burnout. :beers2:
I am a graduate of police pursuit school,,, we were taught to drive using the left foot for the brake and the rt. foot for the accelerator pedal.... no mix up that way.... and yes there are times when you need to use both at the same time.....
Me too. Just enough to bring the RPMs up to stall speed of the converter then mash the gas n go. Orrrr when I have to foot brake while staging up on the track.
I think so, beats the 6 year old thread revived yesterday I'm about 90% right foot for both. This summer with the skylark I'd use 2 due to a carb issue, would have to give it a little more gas as I started or it would die. (this winter's project)
