Hudson 1938 Terraplane, Owner'S Manual

Page: 39 / 82

ELECTRIC HAND
The Electric Hand Transmission Con-
trol, which is a factory option, is a means
of simplifying the method of shifting
gears. An abutment indicator feature is
incorporated whereby the driver's attention
is called to the fact that a gear abutment has
taken place in shifting into low or reverse
gear from neutral.
The operation of the Electric Hand is
controlled by a small lever attached to a
mounting on the steering column, just be-
low the steering wheel. The gear is selected
merely by moving the small lever (A),
Figure 34, with a finger of the right hand.
Then, by depressing the clutch pedal fully
to the floorboard, the actual shifting of
gears is accomplished.
The method of selecting gears, that is, the positions to which the selector lever is
moved, is in the same rotation as that used in the conventional manual shift. The
neutral position of the selector lever is to the extreme right in line with the central
opening of the "H" plate.
A small "off and on" switch (B) is provided on the selector switch to prevent
tampering with the shifting mechanism, and is also used to make the "Electric Hand"
inoperative when the car is being serviced.
We suggest the following procedure in operating the "Electric Hand" equipped car:
(a) Be certain the "off and on" switch is in "on" position.
(b) Depress clutch pedal fully to the floorboard.
(c) Turn ignition switch "on."
(d) Press starter button.
Now with the engine running and the clutch disengaged (if automatic clutch control
is being used, it is not necessary to hold the clutch disengaged with the foot after the
engine is started; simply take the foot off the accelerator pedal), move the selector
lever to the low or reverse gear position, whichever is desired, and the shift should be
accomplished immediately. Allow the clutch to engage while depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and the car will move normally in the gear selected.
If for any reason the low and reverse gears should fail to mesh properly as the
desired position is selected from neutral, a tension is automatically applied to the
selector lever which is evident to the driver if the finger is resting on the lever; or, in
the event that the finger is removed after the selector lever is placed in position, it will
automatically return to neutral.
The action just described is termed as "tooth abutment indication" and, in order
to complete the shift, it is necessary to raise the foot slightly from the clutch
O W N E R' S M A N U A L 37