AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

HINTS FOR STEAM VEHICLE USERS.

8th December 1925
Page 31
Page 31, 8th December 1925 — HINTS FOR STEAM VEHICLE USERS.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Ideas Advanced by Our Driver and Mechanic Readers in Connection with the Use and Maintenance of Steam Vehicles.

lUTECHANICS in particular have ex..13/1perienced the annoyance of expanding tubes in the fireboxes, only to find, when the unit is assembled and tested, that a leak still eXists. " of Sunderland, describes a method of avoiding wasted labour in such cases ; this week's prise of ris. is awarded to him.

A Sentinel firebox was the part in question ; a cover was made of threeply wood and holes were bored in the outside of the disc so that it could be slipped over the firebox studs and fixed with nuts. The firebox was next turned upside down and filled with water ; thus, after allowing the box to stand for a few hours, it could readily he seen whether the work had been carried out properly. A cover such as this is simple and easy to construct, and in many cases one can be kept in the stores where several vehicles of the same type have to be dealt with, thus saving time during firebox repairs.

If a number of fireboxes may have to be tested, it would be advisable to employ steel plates at each end ; these (-mild be equipped with ordinary tyre valves so that pressure could be exerted above the water, first at one end and then at the other.

FOR the benefit of those who have not previously attempted to overhaul the swivel bearings of the front axle of a Yorkshire wagon, " A.W.," of Dewsbury, gives some helpful hints. The swivel bearing, owing to wear, in time requires attention to bushes and bearing sleeve on the swivel. The swivel is provided with a renewable steel sleeve, which is a driving fit upon the fixed hub. This can be driven off and a new one driven into position, care being taken to drive as squarely as possible. It is essential that the holes in the hub and sleeve for the king pin • register properly. The wheel bush can be drawn out by means of an improvised puller, consisting of a steut bolt and washers of suitable diameters, one to rest against the wheel hub boss, the other to pull on the inner end of the hush. A new bush can easily be driven into place by means of a hardwood block and a heavy hammer. To guarantee that the bush does not move, " A.W." suggests the use of two if.-in. set-screws, the heads of which are cut off after being placed in position.

To get off a king pin and hubthe rivet which holds the king pin must be first removed. If the rivet will not come out in one piece, the hub must be turned to full lock so that a punch can be applied and the rivet driven out so far as possible ; the hub is then turned to the other lock and the protruding portion of the rivet cut off. This process of punching and cutting must be continued until the rivet is removed. I The king pin can next be taken out and the assembly dismantled. When the pine are replaced, care must be taken to see that the flange ring to which the wheel bolts is placed on the inside of the fixed hub, otherwise the assembly will have to be removed again for the purpose. The fastening rivet must be earefrdly treated to prevent it coming loose and jamming the steer-ng.

When the assembly has been replaced, care must be exercised in running in, for which purpose " AM." recommends white lead and cylinder oil mixed.

OFecien vehicles the pump drive takes the form of two grooved frietion pulleys, the smaller one being mounted on the crankshaft and a larger one on the horn plate directly under

neath, and in line with, the other. The large pulley carries the eccentric which drives the pump.

According to "E.J.," of Sandbach, difficulty arises in maintaining efficiency when the pulleys become worn ; adjustment is provided to bring the pulleys under greater pressure, thus increasing friction, but in the view of our contri

butor this is not always the best way to do the job.

The method suggested is to take a length of hemp rope, unwind the strands and wrap a piece several times routed the grooves of each pulley. The amount of rope used can be judged by putting the pulleys together as when driving ; it must be sufficient just to separate the faces of the pulley grooves by 3-32 in. When the pulleys have been run together for a few moments, the rope will be compressed sufficiently to bring the faces of the grooves together, but the bulk of the pressure will be taken by the rope in the grooves. This idea greatly extends the useful life of the pulleys, according to FRACTURED steering links on 12 wagons employing the chain type of gear are apt to cause delay when very had roads have to be traversed. " W.R.," of Eyam, advocates carrying in the toolbox a few spare split links made of 4-in. round iron, left with open ends.

When required, the driver places a link in the fire and brings it to a dull red heat. It is then pulled out of the fire, gripped in a pair of pliers and threaded through the two end links of the broken pieces of chain. A stout bar is held under the open link to serve as an anvil, and the ends closed.

Tags

Locations: Sunderland

comments powered by Disqus