This past spring we started construction on our new engineering center, which will be equipped with three dynos – a new Taylor chassis dyno for semi-trucks, a used pickup truck and race car dyno (capable of 2,500 hp), and a used engine dyno that will hold around 2,000 flywheel horsepower. As of December 6th, the Taylor dyno was up and running, and within two days, we already had five trucks on it. The other two dynos are in the process of final installation. Along with the dynos, we have added another four garage bays, an engine building room, an engineering department, and storage space. The new addition should be completed by the time this publication starts hitting the streets.
We now have three engineers at our Saxonburg, PA location – one mechanical and two electrical. In Indianapolis, where we make the Pittsburgh Power Performance Computer, we have another four more engineers – one mechanical, one software, and two electrical. Six months ago, we hired Ethan Fortuna, a recent graduate from Penn State University (Electrical Engineering) – and this guy is sharp!
An owner operator was recently speaking to Don (our service manager) and I about his DD5 Detroit gaining 20 lbs. of oil pressure. Interesting, I thought – usually, the problem is losing oil pressure, not gaining pressure. Don and I decided to install a test mechanical oil pressure gauge to verify the reading that the gauge on the instrument panel was showing. Ethan was standing there and said, “Wait a minute, I think I know what the problem is. I saw something about that in the ECM program.” About 15 minutes later, Ethan walked into my office and said, “The oil pressure problem is solved.” I said, “Fantastic! We could have spent hours trying to find that problem!” I think that Ethan is going to be a very valuable asset to our operation here.
Winter is finally here, and for those of us who love to snowmobile, it’s time to put away the Harleys and get out the sleds! This year’s annual Owner Operator Snowmobile Conference is scheduled for February 28th through March 2nd, with checkout on March 3rd. We will be staying at the Flying Saddle Resort in Alpine, Wyoming (307-654-4422). When making reservations, please mention you are with the Owner Operator Snowmobile Conference. There are rental snowmobiles available in the town of Alpine – the Flying Saddle will give you their phone number or you can find it on the internet. The address of the Flying Saddle Resort is 118878 Hwy. 89 and 26, Alpine, WY 83128. Please visit their website (www.flyingsaddleresort.com) for more information.
Do you realize what it’s like to have 22 owner operators on high-performance snowmobiles sitting at the bottom of a mountain? It doesn’t matter the machine – semi truck or snowmobile – if there is a mountain, we have to go up it as fast as possible! Let the competition begin!! Please join us if you’re up for a great time and you enjoy the company of other people in your industry.
On a sadder note, last month (11-28-12), Dale Evans, an owner operator friend and client of Pittsburgh Power, lost his 34 year-old son in a tragic automobile accident in Henderson, Texas. A young lady driving without insurance and no driver’s license pulled out in front of Luke Evans while he was riding his motorcycle and he was killed instantly. He was an auto body repairman in town and was on his way back to work from lunch when the accident happened.
Unfortunately, Luke did not have life insurance, so Dale had to use his savings to bury his son. One of the photos here shows Dale and his wife with three of the grandchildren. Luke is the father of four young girls – Katelynn (1), Allison (3), Kristi (6), and Adriana (9). Luke’s wife is a stay-at-home mother and now has no income. If you’re reading this article, I ask you to please send $1.00 (or whatever amount you can afford) to the Luke Evans Tragedy Fund, Texas Bank, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, TX 75653. Any gift will help.
Please help this family if you can. Your $1 (or more) will go a long way. Four years ago, you, the proud and humble owner operators of North America, helped a young man by the name of Cody from Butler, PA to go to China for stem cell surgery for his eyes. He was born blind, but can now see, thanks in part to your generosity. Cody is now a student at the Butler Public School. We can make a difference when we help each other. Thank you in advance for your generosity once again. If you have any comments or questions, please contact me at Pittsburgh Power in Saxonburg, PA by calling (724) 360-4080 or via e-mail at bruce@pittsburghpower.com. Happy New Year!