The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop what is the use in a "hand throttle cable"??

I have a 55 2nd series 1/2 ton. This is probably a dumb question but I installed a new model B carb I picked up from carb junkys and attached the choke and throttle cables. The truck has a foot stomp starter and runs fine. I have never used the hand throttle. My question is why did they even put the hand throttle in the trucks? I mean they are fun to tinker with but I don't see any real use for it. Would anyone happen to know the real use in the hand throttle?

a number of reasons, mostly cuz they were used from way back - and dropped finally after the TF series ... good for holding a fast idle for warmup or using granny gear in the field while you got out and picked up hay bales, useful with a PTO, and some foolishly used it for a "cruise control"

Bill

They are usually used to enhance the running when it is first started in cold weather. Also it is a nice feature if you want to keep it charging while it is sitting there running. I had a flooding problem once and the throttle control was really helpful in getting it home without it dying at every stop.

Thanks for the info on the hand throttle. The one I have hooked up keeps popping out a little then in a little when I push the gas pedal is that normal?

you don't have it adusted right or maybe it's not hooked in the right place, should be set up so it doesn't interact with the pedal

Bill

On my 61 it's hooked to the throttle linkage itself. Right at the firewall.

I foolishly use mine for a "cruise control". It works great even though it's foolish!

From my 82 year old dad who farmed his entire life and had 3100, 3600, and 3800's back when they were new....he used it for all 3 reasons. Helping to keep a cold engine running on start up, PTO drive off the tranny, and yes..the high tech cruise control! He was also a mechanic his entire life on the 'outside world' to supplement the farm income. He has been a huge help in my restoration of my 49' 3600. Helps to have first hand working knowledge! Mine was missing parts and pieces and he remembers where everything goes and can describe in detail what used to be here or there and how it hooked up.

bztguy.....That is cool.

I recently posted a topic on antique tune-up tools and the hand throttle is mentioned for adjustments at speed since these old trucks had no tachometer.

It also helps to take off from a stop going uphill so you can hold the brake and work the clutch and gas at the same time.

It also helps to take off from a stop going uphill so you can hold the brake and work the clutch and gas at the same time.

that really doesn't make any sense
ron

one can alleviate that problem by getting an a/t or learning how to drive with a std trans
ron

Think about it Ron the tune-up specs mention a mph equivalent to test or increased engine speed if you are on your own a way to increase it while testing is to use the hand throttle for a constant increase in engine speed to test conditions under load. Oh and a P.S. I didn't write the directions I just own a copy.

it has nothing to do with a tach. throttle may let you set the rpm to a certain position is all that it will do( which was generally done by ea)r.
throttle was mainly designed to raise idle after starting, so that you could open the choke aways to maintain it running, so that it wouldn't choke itself out. also to raise rpm for pto drive

"is to use the hand throttle for a constant increase in engine speed to test conditions under load". why wouldn't you just use the foot throttle as it would be under load?
ron

Ron must be having a bad day.
Tomorrow he will probably have a better day
and not be so negative and judgemental.

How does one make adjustments alone under the hood using the foot throttle? Extremely long arms?

under load means that it is in gear' right.
ron

Also used for hand cranking a cold motor with a low battery or bad eletric starter.

let's take a look at the first quote
if he had said, "I recently posted a topic on antique tune-up tools and the hand throttle is mentioned for adjustments at speed", I would not have said anything. what does "since these trucks had no tachometer" really have to do with the other part of the sentence.



second quote. now if you can't drive up a hill from a stop and cannot manipulate the clutch,brake and gas with your feet then one shouldn't be driving unless it is designated for handicap

I remember when I took my drivers test, that was one of the requirements to getting your license. now everyone more than likely takes their test in an a/t and eliminates that problem part of coordination. such a permissive society. we do wonder sometimes how people get their licenses
cheers
ron

sorry, I did not mean to start anything with the thread. And thanks for the info. I decided to disconnect the cable from the carb but leave the cable hooked at the dash.

Ron obviously has never pulled a boat out of a steep boatramp with a standard transmission truck.

it is the equivalent of a cruise control/or as was mentioned previously to crank the engine but using the hand crank which as was also previously mentioned would be hard to operate the throttle and crank the engine at the same time...

is that any different than going up a steep hill with a trailer on and stopping for a stop sign on the way up
I have put a lot of mi pulling a tandem trailer behind my 64 for the 20 years that I had it
in the mid 70's I also had a HD Hayes with a 5 & 4 pulling logs off highway, so yes , I know how to use a clutch.
ron

Granny gear and 1/3 to 1/2 throttle depending upon how early in the day it was and how fast you wanted to walk loading hay bales. My grandpa had a 63 GMC that he added a hand throttle to. Also had one on a similar model 2 ton grain truck (it was for the dump bed lift though)

that 63 should of had one stock
ron

The invention of the fast idle cam took the place of the hand throttle.
But the hand throttle can also be used for many uses.

The hand throttle should not be used as a cruise control as it keeps a constant rpm, not speed, and it does not disengage on its own in an emergency. They are great for cold weather warm-ups, running a pto, and yes most farmers will tell you setting a comfortable speed for feeding with no sidekicks to drive while you throw hay out.

I had a 57 VW years ago and it had a throttle and when we had snow and i got stuck or difficulty getting up a hill i would set the throttle at a walking pace and get out and push to get me out of the situation. looking back not a good idea but it worked at the time. ron