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Good Equipment Vitally Important

23rd September 1938
Page 51
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Page 51, 23rd September 1938 — Good Equipment Vitally Important
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Operators Re Vehicle is as Weakest

ACOMMERCIAL vehicle is valued by the operator mainly on its capacity for giving long service at low cost. At the same time, it must possess a satisfactory ratio of pay-load to unladen weight. Appearance is a secondary consideration, but, nevertheless, an important factor, particularly in connection with passenger vehicles.

In the main, however, a utility machine is not dated in the manner associated with the private car, and is often expected to achieve a mileage of three to four times that of the private vehicle— and this, without an excessive increase in repair costs.

For these reasons, the equipment and components employed in the construction or fittingout of business motors should be designed and manufactured to possess a corresponding life. Many give good service in this respect, but there has been a tendency amongst some makers to believe that what is good enough for the private car should suffice for the commercial motor, with the result that, in the past, as a vehicle has aged it is so often the details which have caused trouble, delay and consequent expense which was unnecessary and unjustifiable.

Do Not Cheesepare on Equipment.

Fortunately, the importance of this point is being more generally realized, and, therefore, improvements are constantly being effected. The fault may possibly have been with the vehicle makers, who, in order to keep down cost and weight, have been inclined to demand from accessory and component manufacturers the supply of products which have eventually proved unsatisfactory, both to them and to the user.

Such cheeseparing is most unwise. The reputation of an otherwise well-built vehicle can easily be jeopardized by the' unreliableworking or complete, breakdown of the smaller items in its constitution, the replacement of which, at fairly frequent intervals, may add considerably to operating costs. Similarly, in the garage or workshop it pays in the end to obtain adequate equipment of sound construction. Even a clever workman cannot produce his best with inferior tools. Loss of time in the case of vehicles, the drivers of which are strictly limited in respect of the hours they spend either on the road or in connection with the vehicle and its load, is of ever-growing importance and represents a reduction in receipts and in interest on capital.

alize That a Strong as Its Cornponent

Losses Which Should Be Avoided.

The work of a fleet may be seriously impeded even by such a factor as delay in refuelling, and yet one finds countless instances of otherwise well. kept garages utilizing old-fashioned fuel pumps which take several minutes instead of .a few seconds to fill a large tank. This is but one example of many which could be quoted.

Hoists for chassis inspection and greasing, quick-action jacks, mobile cranes which can lift heavy wheels and units, roller platforms for men who have to get under vehicles, power-greasing equipment, high-pressure washers, sump emptiers on wheels, jigs conveniently to hold engines, gearboxes and axles—all these, and many others which we have not detailed, are items which make for speed and efficiency.

In the constant search for economy, fuel and oil can be conserved by jet calibrators, exhaust analysers, filters which rejuvenate engine oil by removing solid suspended matter and, often, dilution caused by condensed fuel and water ; whilst the meticulous care of tyres, although an obvious economy, does not always receive the attention which it deserves, and this points to the need for suitable air lines or mobile compressors. Some of the larger concerns even equip a complete tyre-maintenance section, with vulcanizers, etc.

The electrical side also demand g attention. Battery chargers, lead burners, ovens, blow pipes, acid testers, battery condition testers, remag7 netizers, etc., will all find a useful place, whilst sparking-plug cleaners (usually operated by air) and testers save considerable time in the attention required by some makes of plug.

On the component side, the number employed per chassis varies largely with different makes. Some vehicles are almost completely built up from proprietary units, and practically all embody at least a few externally made products, such as electrical gear, oil-fuel pumps and injectors, axles, steering gear, brakes and servo devices, air and oil cleaners and filters, carburetters, magnetos, and so on.

Bodywork constitutes a field in itself in which there is great opportunity for producers of parts and details, ranging from complete seats, cushion centres, upholstery materials, ventilators and heaters, and special classes of panelling, to ashtrays.

Little more need be said regarding tyres, except that their life has been increased far beyond the conception of the older operators, and now we have even examples the carcasses of which are made of artificial silk.

Urgent Reasons for Producing Fuel Here

WE are informed that Mexico, which some six months ago made regrettable history by seizing all the British and American-owned oilfields within the borders of the country, is, according to a report from the U.S.A., giving producers and the Governments concerned cause for even graver anxiety. Emissaries from Mexico are said to have arrived in other Latin-American countries for the purpose of endeavouring to con vince them that now is the time to seize all foreignheld properties.

An important feature of the matter is that it is well known that Germany and Japan are buying much of the output of the oilfields confiscated from British and American owners, so that the sword is two-edged. It would be difficult to proceed against these countries as receivers of stolen property, although we would have thought that some clause in international law would have barred such irregular procedure, particularly as nearly every other State has imposed a ban on such purchases.

According to the Petroleum Times, the development now most feared is that Mexico has established a precedent which might be followed by the authorities controlling other important oil-producing areas.

The danger is one more strong reason why Great Britain should do everything reasonably possible to render itself, to a much larger extent, independent of outside sources of supply, even at the cost of losing some of the enormous taxation revenue which it obtains from imported oil and petrol. Additional proof of this need is furnished by the fact that Russia might remain one of the chief sources of oil upon which we could rely, and this would give that country a tactical advantage, which might eventually prove a danger to Great Britain.

The progress in the production of oil from coal is slow, but we hope that it is sure. Sole reliance should not, however, be placed upon this, and every other indigenous source of supply, including the obtaining of natural oil, should be followed up with expedition.

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