Effecting Economies by Mechanical Appliances
Page 70
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INTERESTING figures are given in report by the city engineer to the highways committee of York Corporation concerning the proposed purchase of two S.D. Freighters and one Chase
side high-lift mechanical loader. It was found from a trial that the S.D. Freighter could travel to the Hull Road tip in 10 minutes, as against 45 minutes required by the horsed vehicles, as well as that the vehicle could deliver four loads of 7 cubic yds. each per day, as against three loads of 4/ cubic yds. by a horse and cart. While the mechanical vehicle is away at the tip, the men may be employed in getting bins ready for emptying and in returning empty bins.
If mechanical transport be not required, it is thought that the corporation will be obliged to purchase five additional horses and cars, the estimated cost of which would be £512. The price of an S.D. Freighter of 7 cubic yds. capacity with twin rear tyres is £692.
So far as cost of operation is concerned, it was found that the cost of c48 collection from a certain area employing on an average 2.75 horsed vehicles for two days amounted to £7 19s. 6d.
The same work undertaken by one S.D. Freighter in two days at 2s. fkl. per hour cost £5 17s. 8d., showing a saving of £2 Is. 10d. This amounts to an economy for the one district only of £4 3s. 8d. per week, or £217 per annum. The committee has decided to recommend that two S.D. Freighters be purchased at a cost of £1,384. The city engineer also recommended that a mechanical loader be acquired for use at the Foss Islands depot, in order that the loading of vehicles there should be expedited. The merits of the Chaseside high-lift loader were put forward with the claim that it will load any material, including tarmacadani, at the rate of 20-30 tons per hour, and will load a 5-ton lorry in 12 minutes at a cost of Sid. On an average day 44 carts, six 4-ton and 5-ton lorries and 24 light motor vehicles have to be loaded at the depot in question. The aggregate loading time per day is about 39 vehicle-hours, 137 tons of material being dealt with.
It is reckoned that the mechanical loader could complete the &axle amount of work in seven hours. The saving of 32 hours would result in so much more work being done daily. The committee has decided to recommend that provision be made for the purchase of a mechanical loader, the cost of which would be about £492.
The figures given above afford a striking opportunity for seeing at a glance the tremendous economy of time, labour and money that can, in almost every local area, be effected by the substitution of mechanical vehicles for horsed transport.