Wall charts I would like to respond to the article by J. P. B. Sherriff (CM March 7),
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May I take, in the first instance, the comments re wall charts. A properly constructed chart, working on a time-and-mileage principle, can not only supply at a glance major repair and service information (mileage basis), but
will also show if the vehicle has extended outside its -time service" date. The latter applies where a system is based on a -3,000 miles or one month, whichever is the sooner" system.
Having already had 14 of our 50 units pass the MoT Test first time, this would seem to prove the system's worth.
Secondly, it was stated that when planning services one only had to look at service check lists. I would not, myself, relish looking through 50-100 vehicle records to find out when each vehicle is due. When one has planned, for instance, one week ahead for a vehicle to be docked, and this vehicle has the chance to carry out a E200 contract, does one (a) cancel the job, (b) calculate mileage re service due by looking at the record card, (c) glance at a wall chart which gives day-to-day mileage, last service done, next service due, and give an immediate decision—dock or work? A point in favour of wall charts, perhaps?
The chart is, obviously, backed up by a vehicle record/history and cost sheet.
In conclusion may I say that while this article was informative and interesting, I do feel that the foregoing may be worthy of your attention.
M. J. GUY, Fleet Engineer, Adams Bristow (Kingston) Ltd.
[lain Sherriff comments: "Mr. Guy is correct—a wall chart will do all he says, provided it is kept up to date. I have yet to see more than a handful in this condition. Other operators have, I am sure, enjoyed equal success in MoT tests without wall charts. In my experience, which is not inconsiderable, the mileage of a vehicle does not vary greatly month to month so that the check lists will almost certainly be filed automatically in service order. There would therefore be no hardship in searching. The check list system I described will show one month ahead when the next service is due. On the practical problem Mr. Guy raises, my advice would be: don't cancel the job, but service the vehicle first".]