Simplicity of Maintenance an Essential
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By VV. J. Inman (Gas Light and Coke Co.)
I AM in entire agreement that the time has come for the formation of a representative body of commercial-vehicle users to discuss with the manufacturer their many problems, especially from the maintenance engineer's point of view.
To mention one of his problems ; the forward-control vehicle hasbeen developed to give the greatest pay-load on a given chassis. To do this the mechanism has been cramped into so small a space, that the maintenance engineer begins seriously to consider if it would not be advisable to have the first part of an apprentice's training carried out under an efficient contortionist. The engine is generally in a filthy condition, as it cannot be cleaned down. and minor adjustments take time out of all proportiqn to the job in hand. Take into consideration ma,jor repairs, 15 years ago, it was possible, as Mr. Smith rightly says, to take out any unit in 90 minutes, but now it sometimes runs into days before a unit can be removed.
If the manufacturer will give a little thought to the maintenance engineer's problems, so that a vehicle can be dealt with efficiently in a minimum of time, its earning capacity will be considerably increased.
• Considering how the importance of easy maintenance has been stressed in the technical Press, it seems strange that so little has been done in this direction over the past .10 years, unless, possibly, the manufacturer feels that, if he makes a'model that is ideal from a maintenance point, of view, and its earning capacity. thus increased, thebig-fleet •
operators will not require so many vehicles. .
Standardization,, in its true sense, is a problem that:will need a great deal of discussion, but I feel there are many items that can he standardized without difficulty, such: as wheel studs (I keep in stock 50 different types), petrol-tank and oil-filler caps, dynamo and starter. brushes, and rotor arms (I stock 19 types of these).
I conclude by wishing succe'ss to the Editor and to all others concerned in this conception of the idea for co-operation between user and manufacturer, which I feel is long overdue.