Six for Four
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THE decision of a leading maker of popular vehicles to approve two trailing-axle six-wheeler conversions will undoubtedly stimulate the revival of this useful type. It had a vogue about a quarter of a century ago, and then its favour waned. It is, of course, a form of vehicle that lends itself to overloading, which may explain its relatively short period of popularity before the war.
Modern quantity-produced vehicles are, however, vastly superior to their predecessors, and are able to withstand much harder service. As six-wheelers they can carry a greater payload than the specialist-built 14-ton-gross four-wheeler, and the price is moderate. With a maximum gross weight of about 15 tons and a kerb weight of some 4 tons 13 cwt., a payload capacity of 10 tons 7 cwt. is available. A fuel-consumption rate in the region of 12 m.p.g. can be expected.
These are attractive features—so attractive, indeed, that they may eqcourage operators to acquire six-wheeler conversions for work for which 20-ton-gross six-wheelers are really required. They will do so at their peril. A converted 7-tonner 'is no substitute for the heavily built six-wheeler from a specialist factory and its manufacturers would be the last to claim it as such. So long as it is used for the purpose for which it has been designed, it will fulfil a valuable role. If it is grossly overloaded, it may become not only a liability to its operator, but a public menace. A braking system designed for an outfit of 15 tons gross cannot reasonably be expected to deal with a weight of 20 tons, especially at the unlimited speeds allowed on motorways.
"Previous Conduct
THE suggestion by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority; that the police should appear as objectors in licensing cases is novel, but not facetious. It is, in fact, their duty to inform a Licensing Authority of criminal proceedings affecting a licensed opefator's transport activities. Section 6 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, requires a Licensing Authority to take into account an applicant's previous conduct as a carrier of goods, and he cannot fulfil his functions properly without police co-operation. There can be no more disqualifying offence than the witting carriage of stolen goods. Anyone who is convicted on such a charge should certainly not be allowed to hold any kind of carrier's licence, but more particularly an A or B licence. The police are the only official source of information of this kind and their aid is essential. With thefts of loads growing to alarming proportions, everything possible must be done to prevent them. Any operator who knowingly carried stolen goods might equally well steal the goods entrusted to his charge.