WORKING AT 9,000 FEET ABOVE SEA-LEVEL.
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Remarkable Performance of a Saurer Lorry in South America Under Arduous Conditions of Service.
THERE are many oversea Countries some of which, in spite of the fact that they are rich in mineral products, are more or less undeveloped, where it hat until recent years been deemed unadvisable, if not impossible, to empley motor vehicles. The time-worn method of communication by -slow and tedious bullock cart has hitherto held undisputed sway in-some of these countries, although mechanical read transport ransport is
is slowly .hut ourely gaining in favour, and is proving its ability to negotiate natural difficulties of all descriptions.
Fortunately, the conditions under 'which some of these vehicles in foreign climes are working find no parallel in this country. It is, nevertheless, instructive and informative to learn of the activities of such vehicles in Bo far as it provides an opportunity for pointing to the mechanical perfection if the modern Motor vehicle, which enables it to render efficient and economical service in extremely, difficult. circumstances. Moreover, it serves the -purpose of indicating the possible development of export trade. Take a case in point which is typical of the difficulties with
company in the vicinity of Santiago, Chili, conducting their operatione at an elevation of 9,186 ft. above sea-level, were desirous recently of establishing a mechanical road transport system between the mine and the railway station, situated about 35 miles distant at an elevation of about 1,870 ft. The' natural difficulties of the intervening country are -mope formidable, quite apart from the fact that the road rises well
over between the two places. The average gradient over the 35 miles is 1 in 25, and for a [stretch of ri miles the read has an average rise of 1 in 9. Details of the •different geadients which_are encountered and the altitudes which are reached are given in the accompanying tabulation.
Before deciding .upon the make and type of commercial vehicle which should be set to face these difficuItiesi the company instituted a series of tests with a number of different makes of machines, amongst which was the Saurer, which is handfed in this country by the Saurer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., 21, Augustus Street, Albany Street, London, NAVA. We are informed that the obstacles provided by the 35-mile journey necessitated the withdrawal 'after a few days of all the .vehicles taking part in the tests with the exception of the Seurer, which completed the-trials, consisting of 20 days' running, with a total mileage of 1,360 to its credit, in a most satisfactory manner.
The engineer to the company reports that, after the conclusion of the trials, the Saurer chassis was completely dismantled in his presence, and that no wear or depreciation of the engine or of the chassis was to be found. He Mates that, in order to appreciate the results obtained, it is necessary to take into consideration the fact that the route leading to the mine is probably one of the worst in the whole country, because of the steep gradients and narrow turnings. There is a considerable volurne.of traffic conducted by motor vehicles and ox wagons over part of the road, which has been responsible for great damage to the surf aces, deep ruts being formed which were merely filled in with earth and rubbish:
For this reason it is obvious that the engine, and perticie• lady the cooling system, was submitted to a•very severe test —a test from which it emerged with considerable credit.
In summerizing the results of the teats the engineer of the companyespeaks -highly of the .Saurer vehicle and says that it is considered to be the most suitable type of lorry felservice
under such arduous conditions. • An indication of the perform'ance of the vehicle can be gauged from the fact that the running time on the 35-mile ascent was 5: hours at an average speed of 6 m.p.h. with a load of four tons aboard, whilst the descent from the mine to the station was accomplished in 4 hours 5 mine., equivalent to an average speed of B m.p.h., with a load of six tons.
The accompanying illustrations give an excellent idea of the mountainous nature of the country separating the mine from the railway station.