Answers to Queries.
Page 22
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any posnts connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. What's a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may Oe published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach ssfor lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners ; these we never supply. Our advertisement
columns are open to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the Purposes of trade.
Where Can I Buy Locomotives Fitted with Diesel Engines ?
[21391 (Eastcheap).—We advise you to address Messrs. Sulzer Bros., Winterthur, Switzerland, in respect of modern locomotives with engines of the Diesel type.
Who is the English Agent for the La France Hydraulic Machine ?
[2140] (Rotterdam).—In reply to your letter, we have pleasure in advising you that the English representatives of the "La France" hydraulic transmission are Bramco, Ltd., 50, St. Nicholas Street, Coventry.
We Cannot Recommend Any Tire Filling for Heavy Road Service, [2141] (Denbighshire).—We know of no filling for pneumatic tires which we can recommend to you. Various preparations of the kind have been tried, and have been found wanting, either through overheating or through their settling and yielding flat places on the tire. We should advise you to purchase a new set of solid tires from a good maker which will give you satisfactory service until quite worn out.
We Cannot Supply a Reader with Confidential Statistics.
[2142] (Bow.--We regret it is not possible for us to give you the names of taxicab companies in all the principal great cities in England. The largest number of taxicabs employed, next to the Metropolis. is by Manchester, and other big users are Bristol. Glasgow. and Birmingham.
It is not usual for a provincial company to teach the topography of a city to a driver ; there are, as a rule, any number of applicants in the cities themselves who are quite familiar with their own districts.
Where Can I Purchase • Good Portable Acetylene Welding Set ?
[2143] (Belgravia).—In reply to your recent letter asking for names and particulars of makers of small portable acetylene welding plants, the following make these appliances :— Acetylene Illuminating Co., Ltd., 268, South Lambeth Road. S.E.
Allen-Liversidge Portable Acetylene Co., Ltd., 106, Victoria Street. S.W.
Acetylene Lighting and Welding Co., 151, Victoria Street, S.W.
We Reply to a Reader who Suggested Buying an American-built Lorry.
121441 (Cheshire).We are surprised that you should think it necessary to go to America for cornmercial motor vehicles. That country is years behind us on the heavy side of the industry, and we cannot do better than refer you to the article by our New York correspondent which appeared in our issue of the 6th March. That article probably makes mention of the only American types that would be worthy of attention at your hands.
We must admit, however, that the battery-driven van is enormously in use in many American cities, and in that branch your investigations might bear fruit. There is nothing to be gained on the petrol side, we are .quite confident, compared with the United Kingdom, unless in some few runabout types for loads of only a few cwt. Why Can't We Use Cheaper Fuel on our Motorvans ?
[2145] (Lower East Smithfield).— In reply to your inquiry as to a cheaper fuel than petrol, the spirit to which you refer should be written " Toluol," and not "Poluol." Subject to the starting-up difficulties, this fuel should suit you all right, and also be quite economical. We recommend you, however, to specify that it shall not have more than 100 grains of sulphur per gallon in it. It is the next member of the benzole series. There is from 10 per cent. to 15 per cent. of toluol in many benzoles.
Two Big English Companies are now Using Mixed Fuels.
[2146] (New York).—In reply to your letter on the use of mixed fuels, the mixture that is being used by the Motor Cab Co., Ltd., and also by the is one-fourth paraffin and three-fourths petrol. Fairly heavy paraffin is being used. We published much information on this subject in our issue of the rd April. Anything in excess of one-fourth of paraffin, we hear, gives trouble in regard to starting up, the engines run hotter, and the possible effect of paraffin percolating past the piston rings is a marked feature.
Here is the Total Cost. in Taxes for a 2-ton Machine.
[2147] (llaslemere).—We have pleasure in giving you the following information. The licences you will require for your 38-owl. 1-2seated motorbus are as follow :— Registration (once only) by County Council ... El Os. Police licence (if local authorities are empowered to license)...
Carriage tax ...
Motor tax Conductor's and driver's licences, each 5s.
Motor driver's licence 5s.
With regard to the storage of petrol, you will have to obtain a permit from the local Excise authorities. There may be a small charge for registration locally, but of that we are not sure. £2 Os.
15s. £2 2s.
Who Can / Carry on a Converted-Chassis ?
[2148] (Dunstan).In answer to your query as to the procedure you will have to follow if you buy a, secondhand — lorry, and fit it with trade-boards, many point-s must be taken into consideration.
Provided always that you strictly use the machine only for work in connection with your trade, and at no time carry anybody in it who is not one of your employees, you will not be liable either for the carriage tax or for the full duty on petrol. You must, of course, see that the car is registered (a single payment of 21), or the present owner will no doubt arrange the transfer of the existing registration to you, and will so notify the clerk of the authority with which the vehicle is registered. You must at no time give a lift to a friend, or otherwise use the car for private purposes, and either the vendor or you will have to pay 5s. to the clerk of the registering authority for the registration of the transfer. You must additionally have your name and address painted on the side of the vehicle in letters of not less than 1 in. depth.
With regard to the suitability of the machine, that must altogether depend upon its condition, and the price at which you buy it, and we are in no position to help you there, in the absence of an inspection.