ANSWERS TO QUERIES.
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Our readers will be in by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for • privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published.
Wants to Hire Electric Vehicle.
[4413] (Blackpool).—We cannot tell you where you will he able to hire electric chassis. All of these that are fit for service are now engaged on essential transport. You might be able to get in touch with someone who has a chassis or two at liberty during the summer months, by advertising, but we doubt it.
Does Coal-gas Affect Lubricating Oil?
(4414] (Nottingham).—Coal-gas has no detrimental effect whatever on the lubricating oil of an engine. We cannot, without further information, account for the rapid wear of the bearings in your engine, but we are not surprised to learn that your garage manager cannot give any reason for his opinion that coal-gas is the cause of the trouble.
Must I Register Converted Touring Car Under New Transport Order ?
[4415] (Widnes.).—Vehicles which must be registered under the new Order are all transport vehicles capable of commercial use. As you have not yet completed the conversion of the 20 h.p. touring car, it does not comply with that condition. Your best course would therefore appear to be to finish it and then communicate with the authorities advising them that you have completed it, and registering it.
Running Costs for a Ford Van.
[4416] (Manchester).—It is rather difficult to give you the cost in pence per vehicle-mile when we do not quite know the mileage, but assuming that you were doing about 400 miles per week, we think you. might take it that the cost will work out at about 5id. or 6d. per mile. We are assuming that you will do about fifteen miles to the gallon; that your lubrica
tion would cost you about per mile; tyres about lid. ; repairs and renewals about id.; depreciation about id., and your garage and cleaning from 108. to 158. per week, and driver's wages at about 52s.
Charges for Hire of Commercial Vehicles.
[4417] (South-east).—It is extremely difficult to make any definite statement as to proper charges for the hire of commercial vehicles, as these vary so much with circumstances and localities. The following are fair average charges :—
15 cwt. as per week.
1 ton £10 per -week. 2 ton £12 per week. 3 ton 114 per week. Roughly, £2 additional for each extra ton of capacity. The charges are higher for shorter periods, and these do not include wages of the driver.
Wants a Chassis and Char-a-bancs Body.
[4418] (Weybridge).—You will not be able to buy new commercial-vehicle chassis unless you first of all obtain a Priority Certificate, or a "Release" from the British Mechanical Transport A.S.C. We should think that the best thing to do would be to get into communication with the latter, asking them to put you in touch with Army vehicles, which may be available for this purpose. We believe that there are some -which would be of use to you. Failing that, the next best course is to communicate with some of the vendors of second-hand commercial motors, such as S. Scott and Co., Brixton Carriage Works, 53, Acre Lane, Brixton, London, S.W.; the British Commercial Lorry and Engineering Co., Ltd., 66, Bridge Street, Manchester ; G. E. Duerden, Olympia Motor Engineering Works, Burnley' E. Lyons, Ltd. and 5, Woodstock Street, Oxford Street, London, W. ; W. Rimnan, 1-5, Fitzalan Street, London, S.E. One cr other of these should be able to supply you with a chassis ; they will also know where to obtain secondhand char-a-bancs bodies, of which there is a number available in various parts of the country.
Wants to Buy Wheels and Axles.
[4419] (Bournemouth).—We would recommend you to get in touch with the following firms C. Bauly, 131, Bow Road, London, E. ; Smith Parfrey and Co.,
Ltd., Rannoch Read, London, ; Scarnmell and Nephew, Ltd., Fashion Street, London, E. 1; Troy Trailer Construction Co, Ltd., 115, Carlton Vale, Maida Vale, London, W. Most of these firms should be able to supply you with wheels and axles if they cannot meet your requirements in respect of trailers.
Is Gas Traction Successful?
[4420] (Alberta).—There is no doubt whatever about the success of gas used for traction purposes and motor vehicles. The only difficulty that arises in this country is a definite shortage of gas, just as there is a shortage of petrol. Gas is a much cheaper fuel than petrol ; the only point is that you have to have a, much more expensive installation in the way of a gas container whether at atmospheric pressure in a flexible container carried on the roof of the vehicle or at pressure carried in cylinders, whereas the ordinary petrol tank does not cost very much. If you have gas at Alberta, at 200 lb. pressure you should have no difficulty whatever in getting suitable cylinders, and then you would be able to use gas for motor vehicles quite economically.
Trailer Weights and the Law.
[4421] (Bournemouth).—As the trailer which you project will weigh more than 2 cwts. unladen, it will be legally bound to be fitted with brakes which must he capable of being operated from the hauling chassis; alternatively, a man would have to ride on the trailer and put on the brake when necessary. The limit of speed, too, will be five miles an hour. There is only one .exception to this law, and that is in the case of a trailer used for carrying a, gas bag for providing fuel for the engine. If the unladen weight of this trailer is under 15 cwts., it may be. used without brakes and may travel at the legal speed of the tractor; as a matter of fact, the law as regards speed does not seem at, present to be very strictly enforced, but we do think that the brakes would be insisted upon.
Buying a British Electric Vehicle.
[4422] (Lieutenant).—British makers of electric vehicles are : R. Garrett and Sons, Leiston Works, Leiston, and Ra.nsomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich, whilst Edison Accumulators, Ltd., Duke Street, London, S.W., and the General Vehicle Co., of 4, Southampton Row, London, W.C., are London agents for vehicles of American manufacture.
You will have to obtain a Priority Certificate before you will be able to purchase one of these machines, and your first communication should be addressed to the Ministry of Munitions, 1, Caxton Street, London, S.W.
No vehicle with trailer can legally travel at a greater speed than five miles per hour, no matter what tyres the tractor or trailer is fitted with, but a certain amount of licence seems to be allowed.