THE IDEAL LIGHT MOTOR DELIVERY VAN.
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Discussion on the Features of the Specification Drawn Up by a Prominent User of Transport Vehicles.
OFebruary,28th an informal meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers was held to hear Mr. A. E. Cowper, a director of Selfridge and Co., Ltd., give his views aa to the ideal specification for a light motor delivery van. The specification he suggested was fully described in The Commercial Motor last week, and embodies many very controversial points so that it was not surprising to find ;hat a very interesting discussion took place. Incidentally., Mr. Cowper emphasized that he was open to conviction as regards several features in his specification, which was really put forward more as a basis for discussion than a final and unalterable set of requirements. After Mr. Cowper had given his paper the first speaker was Major Wheeler, who, of course is responsible for running a large fleet of post-Office vehicles. Broadly, he agreed with the specification, but, from his own experience, proposed certain amendments and additions which are of considerable interest to manufacturers and users alike.
First., in view of the lightness of the • chassis proposed, Major Wheeler was of the opinion that four speeds were unnecessary, suggesting that with a 15 h.p. engine three forward ratios should
suffice. He stated that. water pumps invariably gave a great deal of trouble, and he thought that. the thermo-siphonic system was quite sufficient fot the purpose. He emphasized the importance of providing a really useful body space, pointing out that in many chassis the length available behind the driver only amounts to about 50 per cent, of the whole.
Suggested Additions to the Specification.
Major Wheeler suggested the following additions to the specification :---That all nuts should be provided with really efficient locking devices; that pads should be provided on the axles to facilitate jacking up ; and that nuts should be standardized, so far as possible, to reduce the „number of spanners required.
Many speakers took part in the ensuing 'discussion, and several points of considerable interest were threshed out. The general consensus of opinion seemed to be in favour of doing without a water pump. On the whole, the meeting was in favour of coupling the transmission brake to the hand lever for the reason that van drivers almost invariably use the pedal, and brakes on the wheels are mere easy to adjust and reline.
Mr. Hounsfield emphasized the neces1530 sity for providing some means of keeping the rear wheel on the axle should one of the cross driving-shafts become fractured. Failing this, such a fracture, besides rendering the transmission brake inoperative, may permit the wheel to move so as to throw the other brake out of action also. The same speaker inquired as to Mr. Cowper's views regarding the advisability of equipping the van with electric lighting and starting, and asked whether, if these items were considered essential, coil ignition should not be preferred to the magneto.
Mr. Cowper asked his transport manager to reply to these questions, and this gentleman gave it as his opinion that, whilst electric lighting was desirable, the electric starter was certainly not required. He said that a good mechanical starter would be welcomed, and he preferred the magneto to the coil system of ignition.
Why Give Any Tools to the Driver?
Other points of interestwere made in the course of the discussion. Some speakers stated that if vehicles were examined every evening it was unnecessary to provide the driver with any tools whatever. They were of opinion that the less the driver tinkered with mechanical parts the less frequent would breakdowns become.
It was suggested that the loading space might very well be increased by employing the forward-dash type of construction on the lines of the London General Omnibus Co.'s buses. Governors were also discussed, the general opinion being that they were unnecessary or even undesirable.
Quite a fierce argument arose between users and designers with regard to the desirability of separating the engine and gearbox, as described by Mr. Cowper. On the one band, it was pointed out that this separation was easier from the maintenance standpoint; whilst, on the other hand, the cheapness and rigidity of unit construction were urged as
primary advantages. Furthermore, it was stated that this could be so carried out that the engine and gearbox could be removed from the frame in a matter of half an hour and replaced by a new unit if need be.
One speaker mentioned a.very practical point with regard to the accessibility of valves in the modern engine with its detachable head. He asked Mr. Cowper whether the extra expense of providing valve caps, in addition to the head, would be considered worth while from the user's point of view. Mr. Cowper said that it would certainly be an advantage to be-able to reach a single faulty valve without the necessity for removing the whole head.
Although not strictly relevant, electric vehicles were freely discussed. Mr. Cowper stated that after many trials they had been found unsuitable for his firm, the principal _reason being the expense of the batteries and the difficulty of persuading the power stations to give reasonable chargin.g facilities. Major Wheeler mentioned that on several occasions, after having a vehicle charged, the power company presented him with a bill for garage facilities in addition to the cost of the current.
In winding up the discussion, the chairman, Mr. H. G. Burford, expressed the thanks of the Institution to the Retailers' Association, to Messrs. Selfridge. and to Mr. Cowper.•
In the course of his reply, Mr. Cowper mentioned that Messrs. Selfridge would be ready at any time to show their working costs tointerested manufacturers. Mr. Burford considered this to be a very generous offer, as it would enable the British maker to meet foreign competition by being definitely able to say that, although his vehicle might be higher in first cost, it would offer a great reduction in running expenses.
Mr. Burford pointed out that this was the first meeting at -which a user had given his ideas to the manufacturer.