Abstract: A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings, and a user interface providing an operator selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifiers corresponds to high idle speeds for respective gear settings. The user interface provides a signal indicative of selected gear identifier to an electronic controller, which also receives and transmits signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions which determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made.

Abstract: A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings, and a user interface providing an operator selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifiers corresponds to high idle speeds for respective gear settings. The user interface provides a signal indicative of selected gear identifier to an electronic controller, which also receives and transmits signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions which determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of: providing a railroad strut having an elongated slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut. The bores defined by the strut are aligned relative to each other along an axis. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut with each brake pin bushing having first and second ends, and wherein a periphery of each bushing has a frusto-conical surface configuration. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings. The machine includes an electronic controller configured to receive and transmit signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions for determining a current value for at least one efficiency metric of the machine at a current gear setting of the transmission. Instructions for determining a first expected value for the efficiency metric at a first alternative gear setting, instructions for comparing the current value with the first expected value to determine an optimal gear setting as between the current gear setting and the first alternative gear setting at least partially based on engine speed, and instructions for indicating a gear shift recommendation and/or performing a gear shift to select the optimal gear setting are executed during operation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of providing a railroad strut having an elongated slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut. The bores defined by the strut are aligned relative to each other along an axis. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut with each brake pin bushing having first and second ends, and wherein a periphery of each bushing has a frusto-conical surface configuration. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings. The machine includes an electronic controller configured to receive and transmit signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions for determining a current value for at least one efficiency metric of the machine at a current gear setting of the transmission. Instructions for determining a first expected value for the efficiency metric at a first alternative gear setting, instructions for comparing the current value with the first expected value to determine an optimal gear setting as between the current gear setting and the first alternative gear setting at least partially based on engine speed, and instructions for indicating a gear shift recommendation and/or performing a gear shift to select the optimal gear setting are executed during operation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of: providing a railroad freight car brake beam strut having an axially aligned slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut, with the bores defined by the strut being aligned relative to each other along an axis extending generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the strut. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of: providing a railroad freight car brake beam strut having an axially aligned slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut, with the bores defined by the strut being aligned relative to each other along an axis extending generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the strut. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.