Opinions from Others.
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Live Axles for Commercial Vehicles.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1584] Sir,—We notice that you publish a. statement made by Mr. F. G. WooBard that 90 per cent. of the wagon manufacturers in America assemble their double-reduction axles from three main axlemakers. We regret, however, that you did not also pablish a statement made by Mr. H. G. Burford, t hat the double-reduction internal-gear-driven back $1,x1Q as used in the Burford lorries was made throughout in the factory of the H. G. Burford Co. at Fremont. This omission might appear a very trifling one, but as the discussion centred round back axles and the Burford hack axle in particular came in for a considerable share of attention, readers of your valuable paper plight assume in the absence of a correction that the Burford Co. formed one of the 90 per cent, of the manufacturers referred to by Mr. Woollard, who simply assemble their axles from other axle-makers' parts.
If you could possibly find room to include a reference to this in your next issue the same would be much appreciated.—Yours faithfully,
H. U. BURFORD AND CO., LTD.,
C. HENRY GRAY, General Manager.
A Battery Company's Petrol Lorry.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1585] Sir,—We are probably not far wrong in assuming that the " rumour" on page 407—[" One Bears."-En.]—in your issue of 20th January, "that. when battery people deliver by petrol it makes one think," has some connection wail the Commercar advertisement on the front page. By all means " think " about it, but petrol people should not jump to the conclusion that. we use a petrol lorry because we lack confidence in the electric. No doubt petrol people will "think" they have got a fine talking point against electrics. We make a speciality of batteries (the Ironclad Exide) for electric vehicles, and believe that vehicle has a big future, but we do not advocate the electric for all conditions of service. To its proper sphere the electric can give the petrol people plenty to " think " about, and will continue to provide them with much interesting food for thought.
In our particular case the vehicle, the second
Commer we have in service, has frequently to make trips to Liver
pool and other places at a distance. We employ an " electric" in connection with our local work.—Yours faithfully, THE CHLORIDE ELECTRICAL STORAGE CO., LTD., W. S. NAYLOR, General Manager.
Why New Machines for Birmingham are Not Tilling.-Stevens.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1586] Sir,—With reference to the recent order for omnibuses placed by the Birmingham Corporation, we beg to draw your attention to the following :—
The order for these buses was actually placed by the Birmingham Corporation with us on the 16th December last, subject to our being able to obtain permission for their manufacture from the Ministry of Munitions. However, having regard for the fact that we are solely engaged on most important work for the Admiralty and the War Office, we were not allowed to build, and the order, therefore, was passed on to the Daimler Co.
The fact that this order went elsewhere naturally re-acts on us, as the whole of the buses running in the Birmingham district are of our manufacture, and if the reason for the loss of this order is not generally understood, it will certainly be detrimental to our immediate and future interests.—Yours faithfully, Per pro TILLING-STEVENS, LTD., PERCY FROST SMITH, Joint Managing Director.
Big U.S.A. Firm Wants to Know How to Build Bodies
We reproduce below a circular letter which has reached this journal, and which will perhaps interest our readers as being evidence of one aspect of American "enterprise" If any British coachbuilder desires to furnish this concern, which is a considerable one, with the manufacturing information it requests, we trust th.at no delay will be permitted to ensue.
The Editor, TIIE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
January 11th, 1916. [1587] "Kindly advise whether you have working details, drawings, specifications, etc. covering Sedan Tops. Same should show the standard body construction of each prominent and large gelling ear on the market. " We are also in need of working details, specifications, etc., covering light delivery bodies suitable for 'Ford ' cars,
Overland," Kissel," Sphinx, etc., also for heavy bodies required for heavy commercial trucks, 1 to 10 tons inclusive. Specifications should give general dimensions of iron work, sizes of all wood construction, sizes of all reinforcements, general dimensions throughout.. If metal bodies, should include general details, general specifications, general dimensions of all reinforcements, etc. " Also, proposition should give the approximate factory cost of each respective body and the market price, also the approximate weight of each body. One price of the body in the white, another price with white lead coat, still another price varnished complete. Also, approximate cost of upbolstering Sedan Tops.
"Special Note.—Can you give us the name and address of any Designing Engineers who can furnish us with the aforesaid working details, drawings, specifications, etc." 0. M. WEBER CO., INC., Mill Work, Stair Work, Lumber, Cabinet Work, Flooring, ete. Manufacturers. North Wales, Penna., U.S.A.