ROADSIDE AND GARAGE.
Page 47
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A Page for Drivers, Mechanics and Foremen.
A Simple Load Register.
The sender of the following communication has bees atharded the extra payment of Si. this week.
(2294) " H.A.B." (Rotherham) writes:—" It is astonishing how few men, without actual experience, have any idea of the load which they are put
Ling on a lorry. After a little time' it is generally possible for an observant man to guess when he is reaching the limit of the capacity of his machine by noting the extent of the deflection of the springs. The accompanying sketch shows a simple fitting, by means of which the deflection of the spring as a register of the load on the lorry may be actually used as a rough weighing machine. It consists of a plunger and cylinder. The plunger may be made of mild steel bar about 1 in. diameter. It is secured by any suitable means to a flange, which is bolted underneath the frame of the chassis and immediately over one of the rear springs. The cylinder is merely a piece of steel tubing, the internal diameter being such that the plunger will reciprocate freely inside it, and it, too, is secured to a flange which is fastened above one of the springs. As the spring deflects, the plunger will enter farther and farther into the cylinder. By putting known weights on to the lorry, the amount of deflection per ton can be registered and the plunger marked and labelled accordingly."
Lubricating Fiat Side Brakes.
(2295) " 8.FI.B.K." writes The side brake of the,chassis operates on a hollow cross-shaft at, right, angles to the frame. The shaft is supported on brackets at each end, and the brackets are drilled for lubrication. Unfortunately, however, when the brakes are on, both brackets and these holes are invisible, so that unless they are definitely pointed out to the driver he is likely to overlook them.
" It is the practice at this garage, once a week, to squirt, into the shaft a, quantity of lubricant, from the outside, subsequently corking the end of the hollow shaft to prevent the oil from running out. This is quite effective in its way, and if done regularly eliminates a lot of trouble from this source. The proper Method, however, I think, would be to screw a couple of greasers into the ends of the shafts so that lubricant can be properly applied as and when required."
Trimming Bearing Bushes. •
(2296) " C. C. " (Nottingham)
writes :—" It is frequently found, when new bushes are received for either main or connecting rod bearings,, that they are a shade too long, and will not enter between the crank cheeks. The usual pro,: cedure in such a case is to file the ends of the bushes, but, as it is difficult to do this and keep the bushes true, I have found it worth while to make a special tool for the job. This is illustrated by the accompanying sketch, in which A is turned to fit the crankshaft bearings, B the connecting rod bearings. .In the collar (D) is inserted a four.sided cutter (J), which is held in 'position by the setscrew (R). The remainder of the details of the tool will be apparent from the sketch without further description.
"When a main bearing requires fa. ing, the two halves are 'bolted together in the crankcase, the plug (A) is pushed through the bore, and the cap (E) placed on the end (KS. A dowel hole in the cap is arranged to fit over the peg (G). The cap is secured in place by the setscrew (F). The tool is then turned in a clock
wise direction by a spanner fitting the square (a), the cut being regulated by tightening or slackening the setscrew (F). When sufficient has been taken off one end of the bush, the tool is reversed and the other end trimmed up in the same way. "Connecting rod bushes are treated in a similar manner, being mounted on the plug (B), the.cap (E) being fitted on and the tool turned by a. spanner on K, which is also squared."
Makeshift Woodruff Key.
(2297) " J.M." (London) writes:— " In many vehicles keys of the Woodruff type are employed, and it is not always possible to obtain these while on the road. If at any time one of these keys shears or is lost, a satisfactory substitute can be made by dividing a thick packing washer of suitable size and fitting it by the use of the file."
Lamps Alight.
, On Saturday, October 8th, light your lamps at 5.52 in London, 5.55 in Newcastle •5.58 in Birmingham, 6.0 in Edinburgh, 6.2 in Liverpool, 6.2 in Bristol, and 7.15 in Dublin.