Economic Postal Deliveries
Page 50
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THE fleet used by the German Post Office in the Hamburg area mainly comprises Tempo 16-cwt. three-andfour-wheelers, and 2-ton batteryeIectrics of Hansa-Lloyd and Bergmann manufacture. Many of the electric vehicles are 30 years old and will be progressively replaced by units of basically the same design. A number of motorcycles is also employed.
The 60 Tempo vans are fitted with two-stroke engines of 200 c.c., 400 c.c. or 600 c.c. capacity, the "400" and " 600" engines being two-cyfindered units; the four-wheelers are powered by the 600 c.c. engine. The average consumption of the 400 c.c. vehicles, which are in the majority, is at the rate of 31 m.p.g. of petrol-and-oil mixture, the runs being mostly in congested areas. The low, tax and insurance of the vehicles, combined with their easy handling, represent valuable contributory factors to economical operation.
The three-wheelers are of the type with the engine in unit with the steering head, and having swing-axle suspension at the rear. The engine develops 12.5 b.h.p.
The four-wheelers are based on the Tempo Matador chassis with an aircooled Volkswagen engine located under the cab seat. It is understood that this vehicle will shortly be superseded by one with a more powerful water-cooled unit in the same position, the radiator being mounted at the side.
The 200 c.c. and 400 c.c. engines are replaced by reconditioned units from stock at mileage intervals of 18,000 (30,000 km.), very little intermediate attention being required. The time taken for one man to replace an engine is normally eight hours.
Three types of Bergmann electricvehicle and two Hansa-Lloyd types are included in the fleet of 90 batteryelectrics operating in Hamburg and district, the variations being chiefly in
the power of the motors and the braking systems. A good example is a 7-9 h.p. Hansa-Lloyd, which is capable of 12.5 m.p.h. and has a range of 37 miles, the battery having a capacity of 280 amp.-hrs. The drive is by chain, and braking is confined to the rear wheels; one wheel-brake system and one motor-brake system are employed.