TIRES AND WHEELS.
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The outstanding feature, in the matter of solid-rubber tires, is the practical equality of the numbers fitted by two leading makers, and the fact that these Iwo makers—Polack and ShrewsburyChalliner—have the heavy section, so far as regards the tires which are upon the wheels of vehicles on exhibition, to themselves—if Chase, Forrest and AutoCarrier be excepted, and they are special. We counted these tires most carefully, and found that the lead of the Shrewsbury-Challiner make was practically represented by a single set, although it was expected to be reduced by the later arrival of another Armstrong-Whitworth vehicle with Polacks. As will be gathered from our references to the separate exhibits of the tire manufacturers in question, and to those of other exhibitors whose stands bore upon them splendid examples of up-to-date manufacture in this department, the life of this class of tread is, in common with so many other factors in commercial motoring, settling down to a commonplace level of excellence. The days when a tire might strip off, or otherwise fail, after a few hundred miles of running, and when anybody who got as many as 5,000 miles on a pair of driving wheels thought himself extremely lucky, have gone—never, we feel sure, to return. It will certainly be the fault of the purchaser, if anything of the kind should recur, and it is due, in this connection, and for the credit of owners, to admit that, quite apart front improved manufacture, the specification of larger sections, which course has been so strongly advocated in this journal for the full five years of its existence, and which insistence on our part has gradually borne fruit, has contributed to the desirable result which we are in a position to record. First cost is not the chief consideration, but mileage in serviee.
Dook-Swain (Stand 17).
The Dook-Swain Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., of 66, Oxford Road, Manchester, has come to the front through the °coed results obtained from its " Dook's-Hercules" tiros for heavy loads, this make of tire having been used with considerable success by several owners of Foden wagons. The company recommends an 11 in, tire for any five-tonner, whilst smaller-section tires have run RR many as 22,009 miles on a three-ton Foden wagon, e.g., the first one owned by the
Crystal Ice Co., Ltd., of Manchester. A winter wheel, with triple-section tread, is also to be seen on this stand.
Mackintosh (Stand 101).
Charles Mackintosh and Co., Ltd., of Cambridge Street, Manchester, whose name is known the world over, includes amongst its exhibits examples of Kempshall and other pneumatic tires. These should appeal to motorcab owners, and to proprietors of light vans.
Polack (Stands 22 to 26).
The Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., of Basinghall Street, E.C., has the largest and most-comprehensive display in the exhibition, and one which ranged from tires for light loads to armoured metallic tubing. Mr. Fritz Poppe was in personal attendance, well supported by Mr. Leo Swain, the company's agent for Manchester and district. The 160 mm.
section of tire, on view here, is the biggest actual tire in the show, and we may remark that the first tire of this size was fitted to a Leyland steam wagon, which often travels on the road with a gross weight of 12 tons, belonging to H. Viney and Co., Ltd., of Preston; it enables that motor-wagon carrier to send the machine an 80-mile trip in a single working day; compared with a maximum of &:1 miles with steel tires.
We reproduce some of the motorbustire records, and we may add that special cards upon the stand draw attention to the following: wheel number 1714, tire number 22181, between the 19th October, 1908, and the 1st December, 1909, a total of 33,099 miles; wheel number 1250, tiro number 22173, between the 12th October, 1908, and the 11th December, 1909, a total of 28,330 miles. These, of course, are exceptional results for driving wheels, but they show what is sometimes achieved.
For fire brigades, the company is maka speciality of a studded tread vulcanized into the rubber of a band-section Lire, as well as of 5 in. all rubber suction hose, and in. chemical hose for first-aid engines. Metallic. hose for the pumping of petrol, either braided with wire or unbraided, and metallic tubing in all sizes from 3-32 in. to 9 in. in diameter, for the distribution of liquid fuel, e.g., upon men-of-war, are attractively arranged to illustrate the various uses indicated.
The stand is one well worthy of close examination.
ShrewsburyChalliner (Stands 10 to 13).
The Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd., of Kay Street, Ardwick, Manchester, presents an attractive exhibit; the stand is replete with ranges of tires, running data, testimonials, and examples of the company's specialities.
Our first attention was concentrated upon the company's excellent patented device, by which tires for use abroad, or at home where no press is available, can be conveniently fitted. The outer face of the containing band is bevelled, and the band on Which the tire is moulded is flat. Between these faces, four liners, which are bevelled on the under side and flat on the top, and which have just sufficient clearance circumferentially between their ends to prevent their jamming when driven home, are inserted. The modus operandi is as follows: the wheel to be re-tired is taken off, and laid down so that the thin ends of the liners are uppermost ; the flange plate is removed, by the undoing of ten nuts, and one of the liners is then forced out with a drift, taking the lower flangeplate and bolts with it, when the other three liners automatically fall out. Alter natively, and this is a quicker method, one may rut through the worn-out tire and the hand which forms the foundation of the rubber with a hack saw. The wheel is now tinned over, so as to have the thin edge of the bevelled retaiiiing band uppermost; the new tire is laid round it; the bevelled liners are placed loosely into position, the thick end uppermost, and are gradually driven in with a 7 lb. hand hammer, the striking being done on a block of wood or copper ; the flanges are then replaced, the nuts put. on, and the operation is found to occupy about half an hour per wheel.
A convincing set of figures, from a firm of chartered accountants, in respect of the mileages yielded by 200 " Giant " and " World " tires, in the service of the London General Omnibes Co., Ltd., is available. The certificate, which has been reprinted as a leaflet, shows an average of 13,532 miles for front tires, and of 12,056 miles for back tires. The general average of 12,797 miles is good. There has been no selection.
The company's 12 in. " World " tire is now ready, although no section larger then 11 in. is shown on the stand; either size is guaranteed to run 10,000 miles on a five-ton lorry or steam Wagon.
An interesting stack of tires, which have finished their careers, with cards giving particulars, should he examined on this stand, and there is no question that the " S. and C.," the " Giant " and the " World " tires have proved their value under extremely-hard conditions of work. They have worn down with a splendid degree of evenness.
Swain (Stands 20 and 21).
Messrs. Leo H. Swain and Co., of Northern Buildings, Deausgate, have already been mentioned under the Polack nut ice. Mr. Swain, however, while devoting himself very assiduously to the Polack interests, has some specialities of his own ; of these, we would name " r.kosco " anti-rust inner tubes in particular. All classes of tire and tube repairs, including the re-treading of covers, ate capably undertaken, and non-skid bands or other devices are on sale. Here, too, one may examine the Challenge reinforced tubes, and a wide range of general rubber goods. Incidentally, as district agent for i. Bleriot, Mr. Swain can interest visitors in aeropianing, and he has a Bleriot monoplane in Manchester.
Winter Wheels.
On one of the stands of Alley and MacLellan. Ltd. (No. 42), the -WellsBallard winter wheel should be noted. We reproduce a photograph of this wheel and two of its blocks. It has many good points, and is a distinct improvement on any other type yet shown. The parts are renewable at low cost. The tread is composed of two ;-in.-wide side plates. and one ia.in.-wide centre ring; the side plates are recessed to take tho steel tire primer, upon which the wooden blocks are built up, and this feature is excellent from the point of view of weight distribution. Pieces of rubber are inserted between the ends of the wooden blocks, and a wooden wedge is driven between them, as shown in the view. The bolts carry no weight, owing f.o the recessing of the side plates, and the allround bearing therein of the tire proper.
The centre photograph a.t the foot of p. 451, and the adjoining sectional illustration, serve to explain the unique features of the Allen patent wheel rind rim. 'this is now sold by -Messrs. Brindle y Rees arid Co., of Merthyr Road, Whitchnrch, Cardiff, which firm occupies Stand No. 79 in the gallery. The points which interest us are the method by which resiliency is obtained, through the interposition cireurtiferentially of separate, rubber sections ±as shown) between the channel rim of the wheel proper and the crucible-steel boxes to which a suitable running tread can he secured by bolts or other means. Experiments have been made, over a period in excess of twelve months, with belting, but it is now in
tended to employ fibre blocks. The drawn-steel tube, to the right hand of the photographic reproduction, fits a groove in the box sectio is, and is drawn together by suitable threaded unions. This adjustable collar is intended to distribute the load everilv over the whole of the cushions. Another feature of the wheel on view is the manner in which the felloe ends of the spokes are held ; one side of the metal retaining walls can he withdrawn aftz the removal of a couple of nuts; any broken spoke can then be sawn through, knocked out, and replaced, which facility of repair might prove of great value in the Colonies, although the employment. of a cast-steel centre appears to us to be more desirable for home requirements.
One unique feature of the wheel is the capacity of the tread to conform to the camber of the road, as will be appreciated on examination, and we confidently look for a developmentof this invention with commercial success.
A new form of spare-wheel attachment was Shawn by the Merit. Rim Ca., of 26, Cooper Street, Manchester, on Stand No. 72. When this wheel is in use, the load is carried by the hub of the car wheel proper, on which hub the spare wheel is caused to register.
Accessories and Stores.
No heavy-motor owner should visit the show without looking at the stand (No. 87) of the Herbert Froud Co., LW., of Sovereign Mills, Chapel-en-le-Frith. " Ferodo " material is now being specified by numerous manufacturers who have given it. severe trials, and who appreciate the significance of its behaviour as ri brake lining upon the trains in certain of the London tuhes. Many readers of this journal will recollect our earliest references to it, two years ago, when we found how well it was doing as a clutch-facing material, in Edinburgh.
This company has never exhibited before, but it has 10 years of steady progress to its credit. The various examples of fibre blocks are well worthy of inspection; they wear well, and are not. harmed by heat, water, or oil.
The motor-spirit, exhibits, as usual, include a good display by the British Petroleum Co., Ltd. (" Shell ")—..atStand No_ 98, where we noted an attractive collection of special card advertisements; some of the, devices appealed to us as being particularly effective. The Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., at Stand No. 4, has a good range of Pratt's packages, whilst the Petrolles de Grosyni, on Stand No. 80, where we had the pleasure of meeting the company's district manager, Mr. A. P. Cappinger, appeared to be extremely busy. This last-named company has secured a firm foothold in the north. The Gas Lighting Improvement Co., at Stand No. 6, showed " Carberiae; " Petrol Ecomenisers, Ltd., of 92, Avenue Chambers, Southampton Row, W.C., on Stand No. 91a, had on view different sizes of the simple device by which many fuel bills may be reduced.
Dietz and other lamps were shown by the Universal Agency Co. on Stand No. 116, and a compact form of petrol-fired, aluminium soldering iron was shown by Messrs. F. W. Wilson and (To., of 23, John Dalton Street, Manchester, on the stand of the Aluminium Repair Co. (No. 111a).
Some interesting types of radiators were to be seen on Stand No. 100, where they were exhibited by the Pendleton Radiator Co., of Irlams-&-th'-lleight, Manchester, whilst. Stand No. 26 (gallery), to which we have already referred visitors in connection with the Allen patent wheel, also contained asmart example of radiator suspension— the Au Last, but not least, on Stand No. 1, there is the " ever-present " Fastnut. washer, which will not shake off.' We did not go to see it, as we know it so well, lint it. is there, and should be seen by others. the iusertion of two tapered steel pins (I)) between recesses in the drum and the knuckle joints of the toggle lever. Adjustment for wear may be made by means of the set-screws F and Fl.
Conclusion.
In concluding this report, we feel that. we can very propetly offer our congratulations to the directors of the exhibition,, and particularly to the managing director, Mr. F. Bullock, who has worked like a Trojan, and the secretary, Mr. J. II., Wightman. The attendances at the Show, and the business placed, have already. proved satisfactory, and have borne out our anticipations of justification for its continuance. The survival of such an exhibition, in Manchester, furnishes unquestionable proof of the legitimate demands of the district for the opportunity so afforded, and we shall look for its suecess in future years. The beneficial results of the present Show should place the association which promoted it on an evensounder basis than it now enjoys, and we should be surprised if the profits— after considerable rebates on space have been allowed to shareholders—are not, treble these of 1909.