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Automatic Parking Brake - mounted on the truck that does not have a hand brake |
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The automatic parking brake is used to automatically set a brake on the Process Locomotive anytime when it loses electrical power, the engine is stopped or turned off, or the air pressure for the brakes falls below the allowable set point. This is normally mounted on the truck not served by the locomotive's hand brake. This allows the operator to set the brakes on both trucks for added security. We require it to be included when a customer wants to purchase the remote start-stop option. The use of the automatic parking brake does not relieve the owner from the FRA and OSHA requirement to set the manual hand brake when parking the locomotive. There is also an option for dual automatic parking brakes with one per truck. This does not interfere with the use of the manual hand brake. There are many features and options available to make the Process Locomotive very user friendly for the operator. This is possible because the locomotive is actually being run by a PLC that is programmed to greatly reduce the number of tasks required of the operator. The result is few mistakes by the operators and better protection for the equipment. Although the Process Locomotives are complex machines the user interfaces are quite simple to use. It's like your office PC, you probably don't care how it works internally you simply want it to perform the tasks that you need done. This is the logic we used in designing the Process Locomotives. They need to be simple to operate, highly reliable, and as many features as possible to make the job of the user easier. The PLC, the radio remote control, and the HMI computer graphics interface make the job much easier for the operator and for the maintenance personnel that service the Process Locomotives. The PLC is also a major reason that there are so many safety features and options available on these units. The PLC can be programmed to optimize performance for each owner based on their particular application. Almost every function on the locomotive is controlled through the PLC so that it can be fine tuned to meet the requirements of the application. This is very important when it comes to fuel efficiency, acceleration, de-acceleration, locomotive braking, train air braking, power usage, wheel slippage, etc. After manufacture each Process Locomotive is tested on our short line railway under loaded conditions for one to two weeks. This allows us to debug the equipment and the software. After it is shipped to the owners facility our technicians do the start-up and again fine tune the unit for the actual application where it will be used. This insures performance and much less problems with startup and training. We know of no other locomotive on the market that is easier to operate and maintain than the Process Locomotive. This is a big reason why facilities that have outgrown their mobile railcar movers or have had bad experiences with standard locomotives are willing to spend the money to buy a truly excellent machine that they can make an integral part of their manufacturing process. They no longer look at their locomotive as a "black box" or as a "necessary evil". We have found that our owners are proud of their Process Locomotives and consider them a valuable asset. We have many owners who will tell you that their Process Locomotives have reduced their costs, improved their safety record, improved employee relations, reduced environmental problems, and contributed to overall better performance at their facility.
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