Heavy Motorcar Axle-weights. (Contributed.)
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Since the coming-into-force of the Heavy Motor Gar ‘Order, efforts have been made by various road authorities to discover the axle-weights of heavy motorcars running over their roads. It should be pointed out to users of heavy motorcars that it is impossible to obtain accurately the axle-weights of heavy motorcars by the use of the .standard single-platform weighing machine. When only this type of weighing machine is available, the method esually adopted is to bisect by an imaginary line the platform of the weighbridge. The front axle of the heavy motorcar is first run on to this line, and. the apparent weight on the front axle taken; the hind axle is then run on to the bisecting line on the platform of the weighbridge, and the weight of the hind axle is then supposed to be Eibtained.
.Now, although the sum of these two axle-weights may approximate the total weight of the heavy motorcar, weighing-machine experts declare that these results can only he approximate, and that they are not of sufficient value to obtain a conviction, should the axle-weights exceed the maximum weight allowed. It can be easily understood that to obtain the true axle-weights, the load borne by the front axle, and that borne by the hind axle. must consist of a division of the total weight of the heavy motorcar at the time, and it cannot reasonably be considered an accurate method of obtaining these axleweights to divide the weight of the heavy motorcar in a vertical line, To find the true division of weight of a heavy motorcar between its hind and front axles, a line through the heavy motorcar and its load would never be vertical; it must always be varying from the vertical, according to the disposal of the load on the platform, the position of tanks, the relation of wheelbase to platform, etc., etc. This point is of much interest to users, and it presents a good defence when a driver is charged with running on illegal axle-weights.
In instances where the above methods are brought forward by the road authority as evidence of illegal axleweights, the local Inspector of Weights and. Measures should be subpcenaed as a witness; his evidence, under cress-examination as to the inaccuracy of the axle-weights obtained by these methods, will go a long way to convince any Bench of the impossibility of conviction under the ordinary existing circumstances. [We think our contributor is LIN-wring under a misapprehension.—En.]