Hi everyone, I was hired by GE in the summer of '69 when the project was given the go ahead by the GE board. I started in September '69 after completing my military duties and when I started we had 7/8 months to take the demo units into production to make the back half of the spring '70 market. In September there was no factory only a tool room and a couple of tool and die makers so we had a crash program on our hands to finish the tractor design and put in a factory which we did. There were a lot of compromises made to get the first E-15's out and I guess we didn't do all that bad if their still some out there running. The rivet holes were slotted to make it easier to align in assembly and the steering was what it was, which was a compromise to get the unit in production. there was a about a good 20% cost premium for the ElecTrak over ICE Tractors back then and so working the material and labor cost out was critical to getting sales up to where GE wanted them. If we had had more time there were a number of things that were talked about doing that just didn't happen for lack of time and money .... Dave RJ Kanary wrote: Once again I will take the time to point out that I am NOT and Engineer, nor do I portray one on Television......................... --
David J. Pristash, Consultant Instant Digital Innovations Voice 440.740.1068 Fax 440.740.1073 Cell 216.272.4583 |