Answers to Queries.
Page 17
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope shortld be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
Compressed Gas.
[1,563] " SURREY " writes :—" Can you tell me whether I can get gas in a tank to use with a brazing hearth, as, in this place, there is no gas laid on, and I cannot get it laid on for the small quantity wanted? If so, please let me know where to apply."
ANswEe.—You should send an inquiry to the British Oxygen Co., Ltd., of Elverton Street, Westminster, S.W.
Eisemann Magnetos.
[1,364J BREWERY ENGINEER" writes :—" We have an Eisemann magneto which has gone wrong, and cannot End the address of the makers of same. We should be obliged if you could give us the address in question."
ANSWER.—The United Motor Industries, Ltd., of 45, Poland Street, IV., supplies Eisemann magnetos.
Non-skid Devices.
[1,565] "A LOCOMOTIVE SUPERINTENDENT" writes:— " I shall be glad to be informed if you know of any successful non-skid device for motorbuses. if so, perhaps you will be so good as to let me have particulars at your convenience."
ANSWER.—We recommend you to consider the " K.T." tire. The head office of the maker is at 52, Queen Victoria Street, E.C. This tire gives excellent results in snow or soft ground. We would also refer you to the description of the Spurrier non-skid, on page 522 of our issue of the 25th February, 1909.
An Engine Substitution.
[1,566] " SEASIDE " writes:—" As a constant reader of your valuable journal, I shall be obliged if you can give me a reply to the following questions ; I have an engine offered, and don't want to waste time.
"(1) Do you think a 130 by 150 mm. mushroom-valve engine suitable for heavy work (30 seated char-es banes), as I want to put a larger engine in place of a 4 in. by :5 in. engine? "(2) Do you think the tappets can be silenced ; the cams are enclosed?"
ANSWER.—(1) The engine which you mention is a powerful one, and has hard-wearing qualities. It is not specially built for commercial work, but it is probable that you would get satisfaction from it, providing that you did not run it. too fast between 800 and 900 r.p.m. should be your limit in this case. You will, of course, take care to satisfy yourself that the engine is in good order. (2) The tappets are often noisy on this type; slightly-weaker springs might be effectual. The cams probably have a steep " drop " ; fibre washers might be effective.
A Motor Milk-float.!
[1,567] "DEALERS AND REPAIRERS" write :—" Motors for commercial purposes are not very plentiful, at present, in this district; consequently, we have not had the experience with this class of vehicle as with those more for pleasure. We have, however, an inquiry from a prospective customer re a suitable lorry or float for the conveyance of milk in churns, 10 being the load, and the weight being about one ton. We should esteem it a favour if you would kindly give us a little advice on the matter. What we should like to know is whether you can recommend any particular make suitable for the purpose, and whether steam or petrol engines? In either case, what is the horsepower and the approximate running cost per mile—flat country. We may say that the dock or bottom of the vehicle should not be a greater distance from the ground than 2 ft."
ANSWER.—We recommend you to get into communication with the undernoted manufacturers, and we may say
that the running cost, provided you can average something like 60 miles a day, should not exceed 5d. per mile inclusive of all charges and depreciation, but that it might come up to as much as 7d. per mile on any mileage below 50 per day: Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., South Street, Scotstouu, Glasgow. Clayton and Co., Ltd., T:nion Works, Huddersfield. Milnes-Daimler, Ltd., 221, Tottenham Court Road, W.
F. B. Goodchild and Co., Ltd., Craven House, Kingsway, W.C.
About •‘ Faransure" Tires.
[1,568] "WORKS MANAGER" writes:—"Could you kindly give us any information about ' Farrenshaw ' tires? We have heard of some of these being used in the Colonies, and we understand that they are giving great satisfaction. We shall be obliged if you could put us in touch with the manufacturers."
ANSWER.—The tire about which you inquire is called the " Faransure." and it is made by Messrs. S. Stevenson and Co., of 59, Logan Street, Glasgow. We described this tire in our issue of the 11th February, 1909.
Motorbuses Wanted.
[1,569] " SOUTH COAST " writes :—" I am taking the liberty of sending you a line to ask your kind suggestion or advice, if you will be so good as to favour me with same, in a business matter that has come under our connection here. Inquiries have been made to rue, as to on what basis we should be prepared to run a motorbus service in this district, and which, so far as 1 can see, ought to be a distinctly-profitable undertaking. The point is, we are not prepared to lay out money in 'buses ourselves, and, therefore, should like to arrange with some firm to ge with us in the matter. Can you suggest any suitable firm, who would look into it with us and arrange by mileage, or commission, or passengers carried, or any such basis? The journeys are quite short ones, and our facilities here, of course, would be available. Perhaps two or three 'buses would be employed."
ANSWER.—You could not do better than write to Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd., of Cambridge Circus, London, W.C., or Leyland Motors, Ltd., of f46, Strand, W.C.
To Carry Pianos.
1,570] "NORTH-EASTERN" write :—"We shall be glad if you can give us any information re a, vehicle suitable for our business, and convertible into a pleasure car. We should require two seats in front, and a, flat space behind, to carry 7 cwt. to 8 cwt., and two seats that could readily be placed on this flat space when used for pleasure. As it is for piano carrying, the tires must be pneumatic. Speed not exceeding 12 miles pei hour. Must be durable, tut not expensive.
" Is there anything of the kind on the market? Your reply will oblige."
ANSWER.—Pneumatic tires are not essential for the conveyance of pianos; Messrs. Steinway, Messrs. Bechstein. and Messrs. Broadwood, for example, use vehicles with solid india-rubber tires. A supplementary system of springing, between the frame of the vehicle and the body, in addition to the ordinary springing between the axles and the underside of the frame, may be desirable. We recommend you to address the undernoted manufacturers:
Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow.
Clayton and Co., Ltd., Huddersfield.
Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., Yoker, Glasgow. Sturmey Motors, Ltd., Widdrington Road, Coventry.