THE TRACTOR-LORRY IN THE NORTH COUNTRY.
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The Experience of Several Prominent Users Who are Operating Large-capacity Vehicles.
MHE credit for having pioneered the•
use of the tractor-lorry type of vehicle in the north country goes to Northern Motor Utilities, Ltd., an enterprising York haulage undertaking, which has its headquarters on the fringe of the city, and which operates an extensive fleet of nearly 100 machines of various makes and capacities on journeys to practically all parts of the country.
At the present time the company runs three Scammell 10-12-ton tractor
lorries. The first of these was purchased as far back as June, 1921, and is believed to be the first Scammell to be delivered. Certainly it was the first vehicle of this make in the North. A representative of this journal was told that it is still in good running order, and is doing very reliable work. The second Scammell was bought exactly two :years later, and the third wasdelivered in August, 1925.
The company employs all three vehicles regularly on journeys between York and London, conveying heavy loads throughout the round trip.. Each Scammell tractor-lorry averages 1,500 miles per month, an average, it is interesting to note, which has been steadily maintained throughout the period of service of the three machines. Almost invariably the machines carry 10-ton loads, and, in the opinion of the management, this type of vehicle has no equal for the quick transport of particularly big loads over long runs. The old-time belief that the tractor-lorry is cumbersome and difficult to manipulate is now dying fast, and drivers in the
employ of Northern Motor Utilities, Ltd., give it as their opinion that Scammell tractor-lorries are quite easy to control. Throughout the period the vehicles have been in commission their petrol consumption has been carefully and systematically checked and it has been found to average a gallon for every 4.25 miles run.
To Robson and Sons, Ltd., removers, warehousemen and house furnishers, of Newcastle and London, belongs the credit for having introduced the tractorlorry on Tyneside. The machine, a Leyland with a Carrimore attachment, was obtained in February, 1923, and is giving excellent service in regularly conveying heavy loads over long journeys. During its first ten months on the road it covered a total mileage of 32,000, and has provided equally satisfactory mileage returns since the end of its first year on the road.
It might be of interest to give a few facts regarding the construction of this vehicle in order to show how the user has adopted the tractor-lorry to advantage in the removals trade. The overall length of the vehicle is 33 ft. and the inside measurements of the big pantechnicon body are 21 ft. 6 ins. long, 7 ft. wide, and inside height 7 ft. 6 ins. The total capacity of the body is 1,200 cu. ft., which is stated to be much in excess of the loading space given by a standard four-wheeled 4-tanner drawing
a trailer. A well is provided for the conveyance of delicate articles, and for accommodating gdods which require to be unloaded early. The main floor is 4 ft. from tbe ground, this being a convenient height.for easy loading and unloading. The total .carrying capacity of the vehicle is 12 tons, and the vehicle can carry the contents of a large dining-room, smoking-room and two bedrooms, or the equivalent.
The vehicle has enabled the company materially to develop its connection amongst the county families of Northumberland and Durham, It is employed on a weekly service between Newcastle and London, a service which it has helped to expand. It has given gratifying results on the score of running costs, and on good roads it will run about six miles to the gallon of fuel consumed and on bad stretches about four miles to the gallon. The machine covers an average weekly mileage of 600.
The latest converts to tractor-lorry transport in the district are Angus Watson-and Co., Ltd., of Newcastle, the well-known importers of canned goods. This'company has recently purchased a 50 h.p. Thornycroft tractor-lorry, which, as mentioned in our issue dated December.21st last, is-the first of a projected,..fleet of similar vehicles which the 'company intends to put into service with, a view to• cutting the present
high costs of railway freights in an effort to cheapen the cost of foodstuffs to the public.
The new unit comprises a standard Q-type Thornycroft chassis with a 12-ft. wheelbase and a Carrimore attachment and it is Atted with Westinghouse brakes. The body is of a type bnilt to suit the special requirements of the user, and has particularly high
close-boarded sides 4 it. 2 ins, from the floor level, the top of the sides being level with the edges of the roof of the cab.
The body is fitted with a hardwood floor, with ridge poles and hoop irons to carry a removable tarpaulin, and, when this sheet is not required, provision is made for removing the hoop irons and stowing them away convent
ently in the front of the body. Due to its weight the hinged tailboard is fitted with two supporting legs, which enable it to be kept in a horizontal position while goods are being loaded and unloaded.
The vehicle is finished in a very attractive style and is proving a valuable asset from the publicity standpoint.