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Old 08-09-2011, 06:18 PM   #25 (permalink)
billyjones
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
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Many years ago there were tractor-trailers used on the west coast that had pusher engines (gas usually) mounted on the trailers to help push the rigs up grades. In the east, modified pick-up trucks were used to help push the rigs up the grades. Both were fraught with problems in that sometimes the pushing was going on at the same time stopping was being attempted.

Twin engine motor-graders had the same sorts of issues.

That said, work out the controls and it should work just fine. The pushing was never the problem-- the problem was in controlling the pusher. Those old rigs used lots of cables that rusted, got stuck or broke. Modern electronics could eliminate those concerns.

Me, I'm wishing I could afford to replace the rear wheels on my Tercel with hub motors and a few batteries.
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