Draw- bar brings
Page 20
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licence jeopardy
PROBLEMS over the operation of a draw-bar trailer led to J. R. Young (Transport) Ltd, Consett, being called to public inquiry, when it sought to renew its licence for 30 vehicles and 30 trailers, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne last week.
Dealing with the circumstances surrounding a conviction following an accident, when the trailer became detached and overturned on the central reservation of the Al, after the draw-bar had fractured, Joseph Young, the company's managing director, said there had in fact been a combination of problems.
The regular driver had been taken ill and the driver concerned was not experienced'at handling a draw-bar trailer. The draw-bar itself had been ,in for repair, and, because the company's two welders were both off work, the foreman welded it himself, but did not make a satisfactory job of it as he was not an experienced welder.
There had also been an incident at Dumfries, where the draw-bar unit had pulled away from the trailer on one side, causing it to strike the kerb and damage it. Here it had been checked by the driver prior to the journey, but there had been fractures on the underside.
Since these incidents, the draw-bar was now checked by workshop staff before the trailer left the premises. A very good driver was required for a draw-bar outfit, and if drivers had to be changed, the new driver was now given an hour's practice before he was allowed to take the outfit out.
Following the Dumfries incident, the two-inch box frame had been replaced with a three-inch box frame. If the draw-bar was damaged in any way, it was now replaced rather than repaired.
There was only one drawbar trailer in the fleet and it was not intended to replace it when it wore out.
Northern LA Bertram Foster commented that the draw-bar trailer had given the company a lot of trouble. It had led to it being convicted and to its appearance today at public inquiry.
Turning to two convictions for insecure loads, Mr Young said they had both arisen when the tailboards of tipping vehicles had not been properly secured.
A conviction for an axle overload had resulted from a change in procedures a quarry which necessita vehicles climbing a steep after weighing. If the load dry, it tended to shift.
He had seen this partici vehicle himself after it I stopped and its load had a eared level. It was not a cas the driver putting additic weight on the rear to make steering easier.
Questioned about maintenance facilities, Young said that 12 months. a new depot had been c structed at a cost of E154,1 There was a maintenance s of 10, seven of whom w fully qualified.
Renewing the licence, Foster said that in 1976 th had been an adverse rep about the company's mak nance facilities. However, months later there was a v satisfactory report and he i satisfied there had beei remarkable improvement.