Wheels• and Their Woes
Page 16
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THE article cOncerning various troubles with wheels, which we published last week, has already aroused a considerable amount of interest in this subject, and one correspondent in particular writes to say that most transport men are in accord with the statements made in it.
As we pointed out, much of the information was obtained from the leading wheel makers, but even they probably do not learn of all the defects which come to light after their products have been in the hands of users for what is now, often, a considerable number of years. We would, therefore, ask operators to assist us further in our investigation by bringing to our notice any other, points which may not have been covered in the article in question, and particularly of means and methods by which they have been overcome in cases where replacements have not been made.
As we mentioned, the faults which have occurred so far have not been really excessive in number when considered in relation to the hard work which these particular components of a vehicle are called upon to endure, but the subject is of considerable importance for the reason that so many wheels must, by now, have reached, or exceeded-, what would, in the ordinary way and in normal times; be regarded as their practical span of life. Every piece of mechanism subjected to great stressing, especially where the forces are alternating, must eventually suffer from fatigue and will begin to show this at the most highly stressed points. It is useless at present to consider any material changes in design, even if those be necessary, as they mean not only new wheels but new dies for the stamps, which are very expensive and absorb a large amount of high-quality steel. 'Therefore, so far as possible, theAndustry must make do with what it has in operation. At the same time, it is of vital importance that replacements should be made immediately any serious cracking develops or where a small crack shows signs of extending.
The danger is not always realized, as is shown by an example which was brought to our notice a few days ago., The attention of a driver was drawn to the fact that one of the rear wheels of his vehicle was cracked rather seriously, but he said that he had brought a heavy load of steel all the way from Scotland to the neighbourhood of London, and presumed that "it would be all right." Here is an instance where expert opinion should have been obtained;