Answers to Queries.
Page 24
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A Laundry Van for Herts.
[1,807] "DESIROUS" writes :—" I am interested in a small country laundry which has hitherto used a single horse (covered) van for the collection and distribution of packages, and I am anxious to put facts and figures before the directors as to the relative expense of motor v. horse traction. I shall be very much obliged if you can put me in the way of getting such information relating to the following points :
(1) Initial outlay on vehicle.
(2) Type and manufacturers of a suitable chassis about 12 h.p.
(3) Some data as to cost of running and maintenance.
(4) The possibility of acquiring a reliable second-hand vehicle for the purpose. " The convenience and rapidity of motor service is accepted, but the all-important consideration is the financial aspect. If any back numbers of your paper would contain references that might be helpful, I should be glad if you would send them."
ANSWER.-Our Editor's article in "The Laundry Journal" of the -27th April gives much of the information for which you ask. We should think that a twocylinder, one-ton Lacre van would meet your requirements excellently, particularly as the Letchworth factory is not far from you. Perhaps, when you have read the article in question, you will address any further specific questions to us. An essentially-similar article to the one named, dealing with the case against the one-horse van and giving comparative costs, was published in this journal on the 5th January last..
Rubber or Steel Tires for Brazil?
[1808] "MERCHANTS" write :—"Some friends of ours who purchase motor lorries from us, ask us if there is now anything being used to replace rubber tires. The roads on which these lorries are being used are shockingly bad ; consequently, rubber tires come out very expensive. Will you please let us know if there is anything that can be substituted 1 "Our inquiry has special reference to three — motor lorries, which we shipped to Pernambuco, Brazil. These were each to carry a three-ton load, but there was an immediate outcry that the tires had been cut to pieces—they were of solid rubber. We made careful inquiries, and found that the streets over which our lorries had been running were paved with granite setts, laid upon a sand foundation, with the result that the roads were extremely rough. Other -rubber tires, since supplied, have proved somewhat. more satisfactory, but it is the apparent hopelessness of getting anything like reasonable results from rubber tires, which has led our friends to ask whether there is any alternative.
"You are no doubt aware that experience shows the old wooden wheels on the native ox carts to heal! things considered—the best for that kind of 'vehicle. The wood absorbs some of the shock, and saves the other parts in a way that steel will not, This has led our friends to ask whether it. is possible to construct wooden wheels, which might wiviereasonably-good results when used with heavy lorries such as above mentioned.
" We should be greatly obliged for any suggestion that you may be good enough to make us."
ANSWER.—Nothing successful has been used for the tires of heavy motor vehicles, on any considerable scale, other than rubber or steel. Any motor vehicle which runs at a speed greater than eight. miles per hour is usually fitted with rubber tires. We cannot agree with the report which has reached you from Brazil, to the effect that rubber tires are hopeless. Paving of the type which you mention is by no means abnormal, in relation to the use of such tires. Is it possible that the lorries in question were fitted with tires of the " clinched-in " pattern, instead of those known as the band type 1 If so, that would explain the whole difficulty. Motors of the weight named must be fitted with band tires of the best quality. Wooden wheels upon native ox carts, and steel-tired wheels of the artillery or other modern type, are not satisfactory upon vehicles which travel at any speeds in excess of a few miles an hour, and particularly so upon bumpy or ill-paved highways. We are inclined to suggest consideration of wheels embodying Muir's " shock-shifter " hubs, and having solid band tires fitted to them.. The address of Messrs. John Muir and Son is 3, Arundel Street, Strand, London, W.C. We do not feel justified in recommending the use of wheels which have not solid-rubber tires upon them.
Makers of Tower-wagon Bodies.
[1,800] " MOTORS " write:--" We shall be much obliged if vou will be good enough to send us the names of ttiose firms who build tower-wagon bodies, suitable for motor chassis."
ANSWER.—We think you might address the undermentioned makers of bodies: Bayleys, Ltd., 4-2, Newington Causeway, London, S.E.
E. and H. Horst, Ltd., 36a, Peckham Road, London, S.E.
J. Liversidge and Son, Ltd., 196, Old Street, London, E.C.
Speedometers, Self-starters and Shock-shifters.
[1,8101 "21.A.H." writes :—"Could you in the columns of your paper answer the following queries ? I should be greatly indebted to you if you would so favour me.
(1) What is the simplest and most-reliable speedometer and mileage indicator suitable for solid rubber-tired commercial motors?
(2) Is there a durable and reliable self-starter for such vehicles, which could be used to economize petrol on journeys involving much stopping and starting? (3) Would it make for economy to fit spring wheels such as the Reed-Rickie or wheels with shock-shifter' hubs ? If so, could you state which of these is the better ?"
ANSWER.—The following will, we hope, meet your requirements:
(1) The mechanism of many of the better-known speedometers is too delicate to withstand the road vibration due to the use of solid tires. A miloscope or speed indicator that is made by W. H. Bailey and Co., Ltd., of Salford, should prove useful, owing to the absence of working parts. Motormeters, Ltd., makes a very-workmanlike speed recorder ; you would do well to get particulars of it from the company, whose offices are at Broad Sanctuary Chambers, Westminster. Mr, Leo Swain, of 237, Deansgate, Manchester, sells the " A.T." speedometer. (2) We know of no such device that we should care to recommend.
(3) We are unable to give you any definite evidence of fuel economy that has resulted from the employment of spring wheels. The makers of the Muir " shock-shifter " hub claim to have effected consumption economies of considerable magnitude. The offices of these latter people are in Arundel Street, Strand, W.C. Both devices have their useful applications, but experiences to date do not justify our placing one before the other.