Electric log truck from BC

[Ianab]

Diesel electric has been the standard for locomotives for many years.  I'm not sure if any of them have batteries other than what's needed to start the diesel but the advantages listed above make sense for them.  No gears, full torque at low travel speeds, etc.

I don't think any currently use batteries, they just use generator / resistor banks for braking. Less wear and tear than mechanical brakes. An old internet friend used to work for the local railway, and was involved in the main electric  line from Auckland to Wellington. Basically went from sea level, up to several thousand feed in the center of the Island, and down again. They figured that of the power used getting up onto the central plateau, they got about 50% of the power back as braking on the downhill run. The rest was lost to friction / transmission line losses / motor efficiency etc. No batteries involved, the power just went to and from the mains grid. 

But that's one of the main reasons hybrid vehicles get better mileage. The braking isn't going into wearing and heating of the brakes, most of the energy is being recovered, and being stored for later.  The physical brakes are only really for emergencies and parking. If driven carefully they seldom actually activate. 

Obviously a conventional log truck will have engine braking to help slow down, but that's not recovering any of the energy, it's just turning it into compressed air and noise. Better than burning up brakes of course, but it's wasted energy. 

[Magicman]

I found a new one (paperback) and ordered it. $10 bucks.

My book came in and I am about half way through reading it.  He was an amazing man and to answer someone's question about pictures, there are 33 pictures in the center of the book.

Here is a YouTube LINK to a video of some of his logging equipment.

[Wlmedley]

Nice time of the year to read a good book. I've read two this month.

[GRANITEstateMP]

Magicman, mine came in, but its still in the "cue".  I did bump it up to next in line!

[Al_Smith]

At the risk of causing an arguement don't forget comparing a DC motor to a diesel as far as horse power is a factor of up to three to one .In other words three hundred HP DC motor to 600 HP diesel could be the motor equals more than the diesel engine .Generally speaking 746 watts of motor is one HP .