Answers to Queries.
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Parcelcar Bodywork.
[4064] (Van Builder).—You apparently are only asking for some estimate as to the cost of upkeep and painting of the bodywork of parcelcars. We think you may take it that if you contract for £6 a year, provided the painting and lettering are not elaborate, and that the body is of a plain box type, this sum should cover tho maintenance. We should imagine, however, as practical body-builders, you would have little difficulty in settling the figure.
Carrying One Ton on a Ford Chassis.
[4065] (London).--If you have been carrying anything approaching one ton on a Ford chassis, you cannot expect-it to last long, unless it is one of the "make-a,-truck" units. Why not arrange to convert the car by purchasing such an outfit ? Perhaps you would care to consider that suggestion before considering the purchase of another van. There is great difficulty in getting delivery from any English works at. the present time, and you might have to try to buy an English one-tanner secondhand. We are not surprised that the cost has been 71d. a mile.
Owner's Costs v. Contractor's Rates.
[4066] (Contractor).—We have posted a cost sheet. You must add about 30 per cent., on the average, before you secure the present-day costs for an owner who provides his own loads. If you are a contractor, you must obtain double the rates, after making that increase, in order to have ,a working margin, and to Cover all contingencies. If the work which you are Offered does not allow an average of at least 40 miles a day, you must make an additional charge for waiting, varying between 5s. an hour and 7s. 6d. an hour for the loads which you mention (10 cwt. to 25 cwt.) over and above incidental delay.
Joining the M.T., A.S.C.
[4067] (Turning Eighteen).—There is no doubt that, if you leave it until you attain your eighteenth year, and then leave yourselves in the hands of the local recruiting officer, you are Much more likely to be allocated to the infantry than to the M.T., A.S.C. The recruiting centres for the M.T., A.S.C., remain as we announced them officially on the 25th May last. Whilst the individual officers in charge may have been changed, the addresses hold good : Bedford, Embankment Hotel, Lieut. J. Climes ; Birmingham, °i.e., Trade Test, M.T., A.S.C. Section, Curzon Hail; Bristol, Guildhall, Lieut. J. M. Sanders ; Cardiff, Royal Hotel, Capt. J. D. R. Bryant ; Cobham. (Surrey), Foxwarren Park. Lieut. G. E. Hoghton ; Glasgow, e/o Recruiting Office, 139, Bath Street, Lieut. J. P. Davidson ;_ London. Gt. Scotland Yard, Whitehall, Central Recruiting Office, Sergt. F. Mullings ; Manchester, Town Flail. 2nd Lieut. J. H. L. Sciames ; Sheffield, "Elsinore." Ashland Road, Lieut. J. C. Gould ; York, Holgates Hotel, Micklegate, Lieut. R. D. Sanders. Inclusive Costs for a Light Van such as the Ford.
[4068] (Points).—We have, as requested, mailed one of our sheets of working costs. So many abnor. inalities have arisen since war broke out, that we have hesitated to issue these for some months past. We think, -however, if you take the costs which are shown in the list for a 7-cwt. van (3.8d. per mile), you will be about, right for a Ford at the present time, so long as you do not intend to load it with more tlign 5 cwt. of net load—say, 10 cwt. of total imposed load on the chassis frame, inclusive of body, driller and mate. If you want to take a high figure, you might put it at 40. per mile run, especially having regard to wages at the present time, subject to the limit named.
Side Panels of Glass on Side Lamps.
1,4069] (Somerset).—If the side-lamps are electric or acetylene, the side panels must be covered over with a completely opaque material, unless those side panels are small in size and of red or green glass. There is no restriction upon the side panels of ordinary side-lamps, burning oil or candles, unless they aro used in one of the specially-restricted areas of which a list was published in our issue of the 19th
October (page 158). If you care to send 10. to Wyman and Sons, Ltd., Bream's Buildings, Fetter Lane, E.C., and to order "Statutory Rules. and Orders, No. 713 of 1916," you will then be in possession of the whole Order.
Prefers to Sell British Agrimotors If Obtainable.
[4070] (Agents).—There is an undoubted demand in this country, and one which will continue, for agricultural tractors. The Wyles plough, of course, has a small belt pulley on it, but cannot be used a-s a tractor ; the same applies to the Fowler-Wyles. British makers of tractors are principally the following :— Daimler and Co., Ltd., Coventry. Saunderson and Mills, Ltd., Elstow Works, Bedford.
Marshall Sons and Co, Ltd_,. Gainsborough. Martin's Cultivator Co., Ltd., Lincolnshire Ironworks, Stamford. Ivel Agricultural Motors, Ltd., Biggleswade, Beds.
The Omnitractor Syndicate, Ltd., 18-19, Gt. St. Helens, E.C.
Lubrication of an Enclosed Type of Steam Engine.
[4071] (User).—We note that the oil supplier states "5 per cent. of our oil and 95 per cent. of condensed water .will be all right." Such a large percentage of water would inevitably lead to trouble, if the engine were left to stand for any time. If you cannot arrange effectively to prevent serious leakage into the crank chamber, and there is likely to be a certain amount of it we admit, you should provide for effective drainage, so that you can keep the body of water accumulating in the crank chamber as low as possible. We are not aware of the actual arrangement of oil channels and passages in the particular steam wagon about which you are inquiring, but we think the best practice is to use a wellbodied oil, and to keep the crank chamber filled to some pre-determined line, which may best be settled in service. We have heard of satisfactory results in engines of this class where good thick oil has been used in conjunction with a dose of 5 lb. or 6 lb. of
heavy grease. You will realize the necessity of using a thick oil, owing to the heating action of leak. ing steam. Lubrication by "an emulsion of 4-8 per cent, of oil and 96-92 per cent. of water" may be frequently practised with engines which are mounted in cases, but it is risky.