EQUIPPING THE COACH GARAGE.
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A Few Notes on the Need for Time and Labour-saving Devices, and Details of Certain Examples from the Range Marketed by Harvey Frost (1924), Ltd.
TVITRING the winter season there is .1.1 plenty of time in which coaches can be overhauled and otherwise brought into good running condition, but the months during which the majority 'of these vehicles is in active operation are comparatively few. Consequently, it is of vital importance to keep the vehicles on the road for as long as possible, and any repairs which may have to be -executed during the summer months should be carried out as rapidly as the circumstances permit.
There are many aids by which this desideratum can be attained, and yet it is surprising how few garages are really well equipped for work requiring expedition. In the majority of cases the only manipulating aids, apart from small and machine tools, are a crude crane or blocks and tackle, a bottle jack or two, and a hand or foot-operated pump, and often the only tools provided for tyre manipulation are a few levers of the common type.
Harvey Frost (1924), Ltd., believe that there is a big future in garage equipment of a suitable type, and that the inefficiently conducted concern without such aids will eventually lose much business. Innumerable jigs and tools have been invented for use with the Ford, and a complete set of equipment for this purpose can he supplied by the company, but they believe that there is ample _ room for such appliances for ether vehicles, apart from the Ford.
Naturally, there are considerable differences in various makes, but it is quite possible to make appliances which are practically universal in their application. As an example of this, there is the Harvey Frost tool for dealing with split rims. This has been so suceessful that it has won a strong position in the British market also there is the Harvey Frost garage tool for. removing and replacing outer covers.
In the case of the rim tool 15,000 were sold last year, and it is now being made under licence in America, the minimum quantity arranged for there being 300,000 per annum.
One of the illustrations shows a 20ton garage press complete with arbor press for bushes, etc. An advantage of this press is that the maximum pressure obtained can be varied by using the levers in different positions, special sockets for this purpose being provided at various points. '
Another useful manipulating device is a three-wheeled trolley fitted with a device for lifting up any car either by its front or rear axle and holding it there for as long as is required, the carrying arms being slightly staggered so that the weight is carried slightly over the dead centre.. This device is known as a motor turntable. trolley. Wrecking cranes are always useful, in the garage as portable floor cranes, or fitted to motor vehicles for attending to breakdowns. The 23-ton type costs ±114 8s. One of its most valuable features is the swivel-nose attachment, which is of great service in salvaging vehicles from steep inclines or hauling from acute angles.\ Included in the range of equipment are two useful towing trueks, which cart be obtained with rubber or steel tyres-as required. These have telescopic handles, which can be extended from 7 ft. to 11 ft. In the case of the heavier model the wheels are of 14 ins, diameter, made of cast steel, and sufficiently strong to bear very heavy loads.
The range of jacks is also excellent, one model in particular requiring no stooping on the part of the manipulator. The handle operates through the medium of a ratchet, and a trigger provides a quick release for the lifting ram.
We Cannot in the space at our command egive anything like a complete summary of the many useful appliances marketed by the company, and we advise all our readers who are interested in such devices to write to Harvew Frost (1924), Ltd., 148-150, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, stating their requirements.
We believe that the company are arranging a scheme to supply the equipment on easy terms. This scheme will have the advantage that no interest will be charged on the cash deposit, and only at Bank rates on the outstanding amount.