hand throttle
Noun: A hand throttle is a hand-operated lever that controls a throttle valve. It is a manual device used to regulate the speed or power of an engine by adjusting the flow of fuel or air.
The term hand throttle specifically refers to the physical lever or control, not the act of using it. It is used in contexts involving vehicles, machinery, or engines where manual control of engine speed is required. * In older cars, trucks, or agricultural machinery, the hand throttle is often a separate lever on the dashboard or steering column. * It allows the operator to set and maintain a specific engine speed without using the foot pedal.
- The tractor driver engaged the hand throttle to maintain a constant engine speed while the power take-off operated the baler.
- To warm up the vintage car's engine on a cold morning, he pulled out the hand throttle slightly.
- The mechanic explained that the hand throttle cable was stuck, preventing it from adjusting the engine's RPM.
- "to set the hand throttle": To adjust the lever to a fixed position to maintain a desired engine speed.
- He set the hand throttle to keep the generator running at the correct frequency.
- In aviation, a similar concept exists for controlling engine power, though it is typically not referred to as a "hand throttle" in modern aircraft.
- Throttle (noun): The general mechanism for controlling engine power. A hand throttle is a type of throttle control.
- Accelerator (noun): Typically refers to the foot-operated pedal in a vehicle. The hand throttle serves a similar function but is operated manually.
- Manual throttle: A synonym emphasizing its non-automatic, hand-operated nature.
- Manual throttle control
- Hand-operated throttle lever
The term hand throttle has a single, specific meaning related to mechanical control. It is not used idiomatically. In modern vehicles with electronic controls, a physical hand throttle is largely obsolete, though the concept exists in electronic form (e.g., cruise control, engine brake controls).
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a hand-operated lever that controls the throttle valve
