Contributions from Drivers and Mechanics.
Page 19
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TEN SHILLINGS WEEKLY for the Best Communication Received, and One Penny a Line of ten words for any thing else published.
Drivers of commercial-motor vehicles and tractors, and mechanics and foremen el garages or shops, are invited to send short contributions on any subject which is likely to prove of interest to our readers. Wbrkshop lips and smart repairs ; long and successful runs; interesting photographs : all are suitable subjects. Send a post-card, or a letter, or a sketch to us—no matter how short, or how written, or lb,io worded. We will " knock it into shape" and prepare sketches, where necessary, before publication. The absence of a sketch does not disqualify for a prize. When writing use one side of the paper only and mention your employer's name as a guarantee of bona fides. Neither your own nor your employer's name will be disclosed. Payment will be made immediately after Publication. Address your letters to The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL Morose, 7-15, kosebery Avenue, London, E.C.
To Save BrokenVirms.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prize this week.
[744) " (Walthamstow Abbey) writes : •I am sending you a sketch [We have had this redrawn.—En.] of a simple appliance which I have found very useful for putting belts on to the moving pulleys of overhead shafting. Most of your readers will know that a very-large number of accidents take place in the course of the year which are directly traceable to the danger which attends this operation. In my own particular case, I have heard of several people who have had their arms taken off in this e ay. The device which I illustrate obviates all risk to life or limb. The sketch is self-explanatory. The three rollers are mounted in suitable positions, as shown, and the whole of this special head should be fixed to the end of a long bamboo pole. The method of operation is to get the tight side of the belt in between the two horizontal rollers, and then to push it sideways on to the top of the pulley, by getting its edge against the vertical roller. If the belt be pushed round in the same direction as the pulley is running, it will be found that it will take its proper position on the rotating pulley in a remarkablyeasy manner."
A Repair for a Farthing.
L745] " E.S." (Plaistow) writes :—" I should like to tell you about an experience which I had whilst I was driving an old type of tractor—one of a well-known make—some while ago. The pump for feeding the boiler on this machine, which I have, as a rule, found very reliable, gave out one day when I was actually on a journey, so, of course, I had no alternative but to overhaul it, in order to find out. if possible, the cause of the trouble. As you are probably aware, the old tractors of the — type were fitted with a ball suction valve tor the pump. What I actually discovered was that one of these balls had worn so small that it had fallen through the seating and lodged in the pipe, thus blocking it. I soon got it out, but I was a bit puzzled, I must admit, as to the. best way to replace it with something effective. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, I managed to get, from a stationer's shop near by, a stone marble of suitable size, like those with which children play. It cost me exactly one farthing. Luckily it was about the right size, and I put it in position in place of the worn-out ball. I was glad to find that the pump acted quite well with this unusual valve, and I was able to go on working like this for another week, after which time I had a new steel ball fitted. I certainly got out of that trouble at the minimum of expense, I think you will admit."
Cardiff Employees' Motorbus Outing.
We reproduce a photograph of an outing for a number of the employees of the Cardiff Tramways Co., Ltd., which revently took place per motorbus. In order that the regular service of Dennis motorbuses between Cardiff and Whitchureh should not be disorganized, tho employees were split into two parties, and separate picnics took place on Monday and Thursday, the 20th and 23rd ...lune, respectively. In each case, the vehicles started from the " Cow and Snuffers " Hotel, at Llandaff North, for Llantwit Major, 22 miles distant. The 40 h.p. Dennis double-decker completed the journey in just under two boors over very-hilly roads. Captain Beattie, the manager, drove down in time for the dinner at the Swan Hotel, Llantwit Major, and, during the afternoon, a cricket match took place. The whole outing was voted a most-enjoyable one, by all those who took part, in it.