DOT brake scanners.

That is a different animal. That's basically a dyno for each corner of the tandem. It would directly measure what the infrared scanners show indirectly. No worries if everything is properly adjusted and functional. It would likely catch a glazed drum/shoe, though.

 

I'm not sure exactly how they will work but I know trains have used similar devices for years to check for a "hot" wheel end and then signal the operator who is required to stop and walk the train to verify. I have also seen a brake dyno in action at Country Coach RV plant in Oregon.....they would drive in at 35mph and then apply brakes hard when on the dyno and it would give a readout of braking performance. So the technology has been out there and now it sounds like it's catching up to our local DOT stations.

 

In the case of trucks/trailers, the "hot" wheel set is probably not the problem. It's the one trying to do the work that others aren't for whatever reason.

 

In other news, Binford is working on the new 9000 anti-brake scanner/jammer for $399.95...

 

Only if the problem is brake adjustment. Underinflation, a dragging shoe, a bad bearing all show as the hot one. Admittedly those are less common problems than one set of brakes out of adjustment.

 

You all are forgetting warped drums.

 

Did I read the out of service criteria in the regulation above as being 43% effective? That is like having 5 wheel positions inoperative. Not going to stop 80K that way....

 

Efficient, not effective. They basically know the design torque of the various brake systems, you have to produce 43% of that.