OPINIONS and QUERIES
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Load and Inflation Table for Low-pressure Pneumatic Tyres.
The Editor, THE COADIERCIAL MOTOR.
[3258] Sir,—In the issue of The Commercial Motor dated November 11th, under "Loose Leaves," reference is made to S.M.M.T. Provisional Standard No. 74, relating to the above, in which particular attention is called to the data contained in relation to tyres of 33 .1, -in. section.
The intention of the comment is presumably to show that with a 7-ft. 6-in, overall regulation in this country the use of 131-in. tyres in twin form is not practicable and, although the figures shown in that comment as to the space occupied by the tyres require some adjustment in calculation, the surmise is probably correct.
It should be pointed out, however, that twin tyres' can be utilized by designers in any country only if they can be used within the regulations in force in the particular country concerned, and tyre makers, in providing a load and pressure schedule, have to give important regard to the international aspect of the use of such tyres. Whilst in this country the use of these tyres may be unlikely, their use in other Ountries is not only possible but probable, particularly when. one recalls that in one particular country an overall width • of 9 ft. can be adopted if necessary.
Some of the sizes referred to in the data sheet will give the opportunity to designers to use single tyres instead of twins if they so desire, and the single tyres are not so great in overall width as the twins they replace. For example, to carry an axle load of 110 cwt. to-day requires 7-in, twin tyres, whilst a similar load could be carried with single tyres of nondnally 12 ins., as provided in the data sheet in question.
Similarly, the load carried to-day on 8-in, twin. tyres could be carried by the 131-in. low-pressure tyres, used in single form, and it is quite possible that this feature may be regarded as a useful one in relation to vehicle design in the future, especially in connection with vehicles designed for special purposes -or for use in . certain overseas territories.
C. HonTox, Publicity Department, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd.
London, SAVA.
Obviating Headlight Dazzle.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
13259] Sir,—It was with interest that I read the letter, in The Commercial Motor of November 4th, from Mr. R. T. Wootton, of Burton-on-Trent, suggesting that headlights should be mounted level with the front axle.
As a private motorist and an occasional motorcoach passenger I am much interested in this question of headlamps and dazzle. It is my experience that the height of lamps from the ground is almost immaterial, as, owing to the changing contours of the road, one is usually dazzled just as much by lowmounted lainfS as those in the normal position. During the past few weeks, while night-driving in the neighbourhoods of Colchester, Ipswich and Canterbury, I have been very favourably impressed by a device used on motor coaches operating in these districts. In response to my dimming the drivers of these vehicles promptly moved their lamps in some way so that the light from both was deflected downwards and to the near side.
This appears to me to be quite the best anti-dazzle scheme I have seen in operation. Can any of your readers enlighten me as to how this result is attained and whether it be applicable to all types of motor
vehicle? TOURIST., London, E.12.
[The form of dipping device to which our correspondent refers is apparently the Barker, in which both headlamps are dipped and simultaneously swivelled slightly to the left. There is alga another form, the Lucas, in which the off-side lamp is switched off and the near-side one dipped and swivelled to the left. Either can be applied to practically any make of vehicle.—En.]
A Self-adjusting Track Rod.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[3260] Sir,—We have just seen the article you have written on our track rod, this appearing in The Commercial Motor dated November 11th, and we are obtaining a quantity of reprints for use with correspondatce, etc.
We consider the article described in just the essential manner to interest readers and users of commercial vehicles, and we look forward with very keen interest to receiving many inquiries of an interesting nature.
F. B. Wmhsforr, General Manager,
Birmingham. for G. H. Rodway.
Axle Weights for Various Vehicles.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[3261] Sir,—As regular readers of The Commercial Motor we shall be glad if you will kindly enlighten us as to the inquiries mentioned below:—
What is the legal load per axle for four-wheeled trailers?
When does a heavy motorcar cease to be so and become a locomotive?
What would be the legal axle weight allowed for an articulated vehicle, having four wheels on the driving bogie of the tractor, and a four-wheeled bogie on the trailer portion, making it, of course, a 10-wheeler? Could this be registered as a heavy motorcar and is there any law governing this type of vehicle?
Birmingham. S. GREEN AND SONS, LTD.
[The present legal load per axle for four-wheeled trailers is Eli tons for any one axle, but the total axle weights of the trailer and of the vehicle by which it is drawn must not exceed 22 tons. New regulations will soon be made with regard to axle weights, but they have not yet been published.
rnder the present regulations a heavy motorcar ceases to be a heavy motorcar and becomes a locomotive if the weight unladen of the heavy motorcar and the weight c41.
unladen of one trailer added together exceeds 91 tons, or if the heavy motorcar be used for drawing more than one trailer. The position will be entirely altered when the Road Traffic Act comes into force, as under the Act locomotives are machines which do not carry loads, whilst heavy motorcars are those which carry loads.
There is nothing to prevent a vehicle such as you describe being registered as a heavy motorcar, but under the present regulations it would be necessary to comply with the requirements of paragraph 5 of the Heavy Motorcar (Amendment) Order, 1929, which deals with the question of axle weights of articulated vehicles. If you have not a copy of that Order we suggest that you should obtain one from your local bookseller. It is quite possible that some further provisions with regard to articulated vehicles will be included in the new regulations which will be made under the new Act.—En.]
Carrying Passengers in Converted Lorries.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[3262] Sir,—Two men about to purchase new motor lorries wish to know how they will be affected, if at all, by the new regulations governing passenger carrying.
One man puts a top on his lorry and fits seats inside it, for the purpose of carrying colliers to and from the pit, whilst the other one, also fitting a top and seats, has a contract, in the summer months, for carrying cricketers.
They have been told that if they take out licences on the first of January they will be allowed to run for a period after the new regulations come into force.
Would you be kind enough to advise me on this point? I have told them both that you are running
articles on this question. G. N. STURGISS. Mansfield.
'Each vehicle will require a certificate of fitness, also a public-service vehicle licence before it can be used for carrying passenger& The vehicle which is used for carrying colliers will also require a road service licence if the colliers pay separate fares.
The vehicle which is used for carrying cricketers will probably not require a road service licence, so long as it is only used on special occasions for carrying private parties, even though the passengers pay separate fares. It is not possible to say exactly what is the meaning of the expression " special occasion" which is used in the Act_ Itis very questionable whether a certificate of fitness or a public service vehicle licence will be granted in respect of a vehicle which is constructed for the conveyance of goods, and which is from time to time adapted for the conveyance of passengers by the fitting of temporary seats.
Public service vehicle licences and road service licences are entirely distinct from taxation licences, which are not dealt with in the Road Traffic Act. The fact KA a taxationlicence hiving been taken out on January 1st, 1931, will not give the owner of the vehicle any right to use the vehicle for the conveyance of passengers.
The Act provides that tho Minister of Transport may make an Order providing that any licence relating to a public service vehicle in force immediately before the commencement of the Act shall continue in force for such period as may be provided by the Order. That provision in the Act can only apply to licences to ply for hire which are issued by the local authorities.
As indicated above the probability is that the vehicles In question will not be allowed to be used for carrying passengers.—En.]
Those:Vehicles with Fewer than Eight Seats.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[3263] Sir,—I have seen it stated that such vehicles as taxicabs do not come within the scope of the Road Traffic Act; if so, does this mean that they will be licensed "to ply for hire" by the present numerous licensing authorities? If not, by whom? As the Road Traffic Act repeals in respect of public service vehicles (and a taxicab appears to be a public service vehicle in certain• respects) the provisions of the Town Police C42
Clauses Acts of 1847 and 1889, will not the existing licensing authorities cease to have licensing powers? Is it intended that taxicabs should not require a licence at all, except in London?
From what I have read of the Act it seems as if any vehicle with seven seats or fewer can go on "plying for hire" as before, or else will not require a licence to do so.
What is to prevent licensing authorities, who will possess powers (if they will still retain them in this matter), from licensing any number of seven-seater vehicles to compete with existing motorbus services and so cause a sort of revival of the " jitney "?
Such a cage might arise where an authority was aggrieved at some licensing conditions imposed on bus services passing through its area and tries to find a remedy by licensing, competition as indicated.
Oldham. D. RANDALL.
Fehicles such as taxicabs do not come within the scope of the Road Traffic Act. Such vehicles will continue to be licensed by the present licensing authorities.
'The provisions of the Town Police Clauses Acts, 1847 And 1889, will continue to apply to such vehicles outside the Metropolitan Police District, and the provisions of the London -Hackney Carriage Acts, 1889, will continne to apply to such vehicles within that district.
Any such vehicle will have to be licensed by the local authority or by Scotland Yard, if it plies for hire.
A vehicle which carries not more than seven passengers is only exempt from the, provisions of the Road Traffic Act so long as it is hired as a whole. If it be used for carrying passengers at separate fares it comes under the definition of a stage carriage, or of an express carriage, and most be licensed under, the Road Traffic Act.
A special exemption is made to the effect that a vehicle such as a taxicab does not come within the pro: visions of the Road Traffic Act merely because on occasions of race meetings, public gatherings and other like special occasions, it is used _ to carry passengers at separate fares.—En.]
Running a Vehicle for Miners and Coal.
'The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[3264] Sir,—I would very much like to know how I stand with regard to the new Road Traffic Act. My principal job is to convey miners to and from their work. For this purpose I have a Dennis 36-cwt. lorry, new last March. I use it as a dual-purpose lorry, i.e., I have a body with seats securely fixed inside to convey the men. This arrangement has been accepted as satisfactory by the insurance company. This body can be slipped on and off at will, leaving an ordinary pl,atform lorry body, with which I do my coal carting, etc. I have steps fixed at the back for the men to get in and out. Will this arrangement comply With the new Act, or, shall I be obliged to get a saloon body to do my work? Incidentally, I appreciate very much your
articles regarding the new Traffic Act. A.W.0 Worksop.
[Under the Road Traffic Act a vehicle which is used for carrying passengers for hire at separate fares will require to have a certificate of fitness, a public-service vehicle licence, also a road-service licence. These requirements will apply to a lorry which is used for conveying miners to and from their work if, as we assume, they pay separate fares. • Whether a vehicle, which is sometimes used with a seated body for conveying passengers and at other times is used with a platform body for carrying coal, will be granted a certificate of fitness, and whether, if such a certificate be granted, the traffic commissioners for your area will grant the necessary licences, is a point upon which we are unable to exprels an opinion, as it will depend upon the views which are taken by the certifying officer and the commissioners as to whether the vehicle, is suitable for conveying passengers. Presumably much will depend upon the construction of the vehicle and other facilities which exist for conveying the miners to and from their work, but. no doubt the fact that you are already proViding the facilities, and that the vehicle has been accepted as satisfactory by the insurance company, will be taken into account.—En.