Open left front sensor cable replaced 3/30/77. (Mileage on 4/19/77 was 57,599). Sensors updated to 25005981 on 6/16/77 at mileage of 65,956. No reported problems since last report. Sensors updated Current Status: Coach #3185 Accumulated mileage: 35,411 8/11/77 Mileage: 76,857 Shorted left rear sensor and pinched right rear sensor cable diagnosed on 6/14/77. Sensors updated to 25005981 and sensor cable replaced on 6/16/77 at mileage of 67,808. Current Status: Accumulated mileage: 31,863 Coach #3194 8/11/77 Mileage: 79,815 Open left sensor replaced on 5/26/77 at accumulated mileage of 19,169. Sensors updated to 25005981 on 6/16/77 at mileage of 71,361. Current Status: Accumulated mileage: 24,386 22-723 O - 78 - 28 This system was inadvertently disconnected by the fleet *Estimate of 30,000 miles included in submission of February 18, 1977 was based upon erroneous input. Open drive axle sensor replaced 3/1/77 at 89,982 miles. Current Status: Accumulated mileage (B): 84,776 Current Status: Accumulated mileage (B): 131,490 TESTIMONY OF JOHN S. RODEWIG, GENERAL MANAGER, BRAKE DIVISION, EATON CORP. Mr. RODEWIG. Our purpose today is to comply with your request for factual information. When that information leads us to an opinion, we will so state. As to the processes of promulgation of Federal safety standards, we have testified on numerous occasions before. We would like to leave with you several copies of that testimony. Senator EAGLETON. Without objection, that material will be inserted into the record at the conclusion of your testimony. Mr. RODEWIG. I will shorten this up a bit. I want to say that it is obvious that all mechanical and electrical equipment will eventually wear out and that unless some satisfactory maintenance procedures are followed, no mechanical or electrical equipment can continue to operate or function indefinitely. Antilock and other braking components are no exception. To get an idea of the maintenance and the understanding of antilock, first of all, Eaton has produced some 250.000 antilock systems. We estimate that we have about 100,000 vehicles operating in the country with our equipment on it. We estimate that they have accumulated about 12 billion miles. It is from this basis that we talk today. In order to properly maintain the system, you have to understand it and to help operators and mechanics from the standpoint of technology, when new technology is required. Eaton has conducted about. 1,000 training sessions reaching over 22,000 drivers and operators and maintenance men. Even with this effort it is our opinion that many operators still do not understand the need for proper maintenance. Another way to look at it is in an analysis of service calls. In the last 22 months our field service representatives made 611 service calls in response to complaints about antilock. For this 22-month period, we found that 63 percent, almost two-thirds, of the complaints were not related to antilock. Senator EAGLETON. What was the total number? Mr. RODEWIG. There were 611 calls. Senator EAGLETON. What period of time? Mr. RODEWIG. Twenty-two months. Senator EAGLETON. You have 250,000 vehicles? Mr. RODEWIG. 100,000 vehicles. Senator EAGLETON. They have your particular system? Mr. RODEWIG. Yes. Senator EAGLETON. Two-thirds of those calls were erroneous calls insofar as antilock was concerned; is that right? Mr. RODEWIG. Yes. Senator EAGLETON. That is why hearings like this, if nothing else, are somewhat interesting because your statistics suggest an entirely different perspective than we heard from the panel of motor carrier firms. |