From Our U.S.A. Correspondent.
Page 12
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With the beginning of January, one may usually, even in England, expect more or less severe weather, with the consequent injury to cylinders and radiators through frost; this danger, as may be imagined, is greatly accentuated in the vigorous climate of the Northern United States. Here, in winter, it is the invariable custom to cover up—with a screen of thick leather—about three-fifths of the lower part of the radiator, so that only the hottest portion, viz., the top, is exposed to the air ; in addition, it is usual to remove the fan belt. Nonfreezing liquids are also employed for the cooling system, and, except that they are inconvenient to replace when away from home, they are the only positive safeguard against damage. The following table of mixtures may be useful to owners of commercial vehides, particularly when the latter are sent far into the country, on exposed roads, and where they may have to make long waits with the engine stopped :--_.
As may be seen, the solutions contain nothing in any way injurious to any metal or rubber, and may be used with safety. There is, moreover, no deposit, should the system be allowed to become overheated, and boiling away ensue ; common methylated spirit may, of course, be substituted for the wood alcohol, which is its American equivalent.
Details are now available of the new commercial vehicles about to be put on the market by the White Co., of Cleveland, Ohio. I have had the opportunity of seeing photographs of the chassis, and it appears to be an excellently-designed machine in every way, as might be expected from the standing of the firm. A petrol engine is employed, and for simplicity the design leaves nothing to be desired. I hope to refer to this vehicle later on, but, in the meantime, the following particulars may be of interest:—Fourcylinder engine (3 in. by 5Lin.); cylinders cast en bloc, with self-contained inlet and exhaust pipes; valve lifters and stems enclosed; pressed frame ; live axle with bevel drive; leather cone clutch ; four-speed sliding gears; three-point suspension for engine and gearbox; 7-1 direct top drive; 144 in. wheel base; six pneumatic tires (twins on rear wheel); and 30-cwt. load. Altogether, with its long-stroke engine, enclosed valvegear, and very substantial rear-axle design, it much more closely resembles an English model than anything I have
yet seen here. H.K.T.