Curious of your preference

Ken B

Ken B

Senior Member
I was wondering what everyone's preference is regarding using the foot pedal accelerator or the lever on the steering column. I tend to use the foot pedal from a stop to get up to speed then switch to using the lever on the steering column. What are some other preferences. Was Henry Ford reluctant to give up the steering column accelerator lever used on the Model Ts?
 
Most of the A's I have worked on, the detentes are worn to the point of no use and if spring is good on the bracket and weak on the lever shaft, the lever works it way back up. Foot feed
 
Mostly pedal, but if the road is nice. I might put the 'ol buggy on cruise control and use the throttle lever.:)


Bob-A:D
 
I use the hand throttle for cruising. Also use it to bring the RPM up a bit when its cold, then drop it again when I take off. Lower RPM makes for smoother shifting.
 
I agree with Marty in Ohio. In modern cars there is an automatic throttle cancelation if you touch the brakes. Not so in our 90 year old cars. Accidents happen quickly & unexpectedly. No time to be playing with a hand throttle.

I use only the pedal except for while the car may be sitting in one place.
 
The throttle on the steering column of a Model A Ford is really there so that the engine can be used as a stationary power plant. AA trucks and all versions of A cars share the same engine and controls. A AA truck with a power takeoff arranged to run a saw, a cement mixer, a water pump, or a generator would be very difficult to control if the column lever was not there. Henry made them all the same for ease of production. I prefer the foot pedal unless I am on a long trip with low risk of cruising interruptions. Then I use the column throttle as a form of ancient “Cruise Control.” I also use the throttle lever during a cold start. It serves as a fast idle until it runs smoothly. I prefer to drive with the lever up for normal driving an use my foot.
 
Ken B said:
I was wondering what everyone's preference is regarding using the foot pedal accelerator or the lever on the steering column. I tend to use the foot pedal from a stop to get up to speed then switch to using the lever on the steering column. What are some other preferences. Was Henry Ford reluctant to give up the steering column accelerator lever used on the Model Ts?
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It's a personal choice. use what you are comfortable with.
 
Since I own several Model-Ts and brass-era vehicles that only have a hand throttle, I enjoy using the hand throttle on a Model-A once I am in high gear. I do it simply to break the boredom while I am driving. Ford originally incorporated this feature because of the familiarity of his customers with the throttle lever. I think it would be a fair statement to say that today, most Model-T drivers can safely & efficiently drive a Model-A however most Model-A drivers cannot safely drive a Model-T. It likely boils down to familiarity.
 
vonheine said:
The throttle on the steering column of a Model A Ford is really there so that the engine can be used as a stationary power plant. AA trucks and all versions of A cars share the same engine and controls. A AA truck with a power takeoff arranged to run a saw, a cement mixer, a water pump, or a generator would be very difficult to control if the column lever was not there. Henry made them all the same for ease of production.
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Hmmm, I don't think so. More is needed. There is too much variation in RPM between loaded and unloaded conditions. For example, running as saw. It takes very little throttle to run the saw at operating RPM without a load. Start sawing into an oak log and you may need full throttle to avoid killing the engine. Finish the cut at wide open throttle, and the engine will overspeed and soon kick out a rod. A load-sensing governor is needed to control RPM. I don't think Ford would put a hand throttle on millions of A's just for a relatively few industrial/farm uses.
 
On rough roads with sprung seats (especially RHD) the driver bounces goes up and off the pedal, and comes down onto the pedal, making rough roads much worse. Some say kangaroo juice.:rolleyes:

The hand throttle keeps the speed constant. Good for driving down creek beds.
Don't ask how I know.
 
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