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New Steel Cab Coming, says A.E.C. Man CONCERN BRAK ABOUT s

10th July 1964, Page 33
10th July 1964
Page 33
Page 33, 10th July 1964 — New Steel Cab Coming, says A.E.C. Man CONCERN BRAK ABOUT s
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BECAUSE of what they consider to be the inadequacy of British vehicles the Transport Association are giving serious consideration to a proposal to invite a technical representative of the Scania-Vabis company to a meeting of Association members to discuss their problems. A member who recently visited the Scania-Vabis works reported very favourably on the features and performance of the concern's vehicles, particularly with regard to power output and handbrake efficiency.

The proposal to invite a ScaniaVabis rep,resentative to this country was mooted at an annual general meeting of the Association on Tuesday and reference was made by Mr. K. 1Beresford, chairman, to the project at the luncheon that .followed. He also referred favourably to the preparedness of the Foden and E.R.F. companies to tailor a vehicle to the requirements of an individual operator, in contrast to larger British manufacturers.

Invited to the luncheon to answer questions by members, Mr. R. E. W. Holmes. A.E.C. deputy home sales manager, said in reply to complaints by Mr. Beresford regarding braking efficiency (with special mention of handbrakes) that a new A.E.C. power-operated air-release type of handbrake mechanism would be displayed at Earls Court, and that the company was introducing an improved type of drum to overcome cracking and crazing problems. Mr. Holmes also referred to the common use in Spain of the Telmar electric retarder and to the enlightened policy of the Spanish Ministry of Transport in allowing the use of the retarder without a tax penalty. The retarder weighs about 3 cwt.

Referring to a criticism by Mr. D, H. McVeigh of the weakness of the clip brackets of glass fibre engine covers and of the lack of lining in composite cabs, Mr. Holmes mentioned that a new A.E.C. all-steel lined cab would be exhibited at the Show and that the cab would have outstandingly good vision. Answering another complaint of Mr. McVeigh regarding cylinder head gaskets, Mr. Holmes said that the laminations of the latest type of gasket had been increased to obviate distortion of the steel rings and that this was achieved with reduced torque on the studs.

After admitting that A.E.C. designers had "slipped up" in taking the advice of generator manufacturers in equipping a new vehicle, Mr. Holmes observed that a more costly unit had been fitted which was completely satisfactory. It was a matter of getting what you paid for, said Mr. Holmes.

At the annual general meeting, Mr. Beresford was re-elected chairman and the two vice-chairmen, Mr. T. J. E. Price and Mr. A. Dunn, were also re-elected.

A BOUT 150 operators and main

tenance staff members attended the meeting—the second of a series—held last week in Coventry by the West Midland Maintenance Advisory Committee for Goods Vehicles. A panel of experts answered questions on transport topics, but braking efficiencies evoked the greatest interest and sharpest reactions.

One operator asked what could be done when a new vehicle just delivered gave a handbrake efficiency of only 12 per cent and others quoted instances of brand-new vehicles having to be fitted with better handbrakes before going on the road. Operators in trouble with handbrakes were advised to tit airpresSure boosters, but it was contended that the handbrake problem was due partly to a lack of precise legislation. Vehicles were being produced which did not meet the Ministry's minimum standards of efficiency and operators were having to take the consequences.

There was general condemnation of sonic manufacturers who still regarded the handbrake as a parking brake and were lackadaisical about improvements. One possibility suggested was the fitting of three brakes—a parking brake, a service brake and an emergency brake.

Vehicle users were recommended to agitate through their organizations, and individually, until all manufacturers provided vehicles with fully efficient brakes.


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