AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

The Supply Department.

9th December 1909
Page 28
Page 30
Page 28, 9th December 1909 — The Supply Department.
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?

Tax i meters.

In supplement to the condensed and vet comprehensive information which we have included under the title of " Motorcabs," on page 286 ante, it is advisable now to include some brief reference to the use of the fare-registering apparatus, which is known as a taximeter. in spite of the large number of these instruments that is in use in London and other cities, it is not too much to state that the principle upon which they operate is not well understood by the motoreab user. It is not clear to him that this instrument not only records, with entire accuracy, the distance over which he has travelled, but that it as carefully checks any time, during the period of hiring, that elapses while the vehicle is either not moving, or is proceeding at a lower speed than has been pre-determined by the setting of the clockwork. People forget that, when the speed of the vehicle over the road falls below the minimum (6 m.p.h. for London), the clockwork rotates the dial, at the equivalent to that minimum. It is this combination of the time-anddistance elements in the registration which is imperfectly apprehended. Careful and searching investigations were made by the staff of this journal, some little while ago, with t view to the settlement of doubts as to the accuracy of the various types of machines that are in common use. The results of these inquiries were published very fully in TFIE COMMERCIAL Moron, and it Was then possible emphatically to state that the percentage of inaccuracy was normally so small in operation as to be almost negligible, and that, where it was in any way possible to tamper with the registration, the result was invariably against the owner of the machine, and not against the farepaying public. Such tampering, however, was only possible at. the expenditure of very considerable ingenuity. It can, therefore, be fairly declared that these instruments may be accepted by hirers with every confidence.

Recent stipulations by the Public Carriage Office of Scotland Yard have necessitated the fitting, upon London taxicabs, of the taximeter-driving gear to a .front road-wheel.

Several types of instruments are in use in Great Britain, and it will suffice in this instance if we mention one or two of these. The taximeter manufactured by the General Electric Co., Ltd., at its works at 80a, Sainsbury Road, Willesden, is an excellent example of English clockwork ; the workmanship is all that can be desired, and the movement is almost incapable of derangement. The latest types have had embodied in them all the small alterations which have suggested themselves to the makers and to the licensing authorities during the past year or two, and it is now safe to say that it is difficult to point to a type of

machine of this class that will give more-satisfactory results in hard service. The Aron, as it is called, is practically the only English-made instrument that is in use to any considerable extent. While mentioning this maker's taximeter, it is useful to remember that the same maker produces a speciality of electricclock systems for works and garages. A typical illustration of such a speciality is included on page 299. Another taximeter, which has a large vogue in the Metropolis and in the Provinces, is that known as the " Kosmos" ; it is handled in this country by the. Premier Taxameter Co., Ltd., of 106, Albany Street, N.W. This is one of the oldest makes of fare-registering apparatus in existence, and it has certainly successfully stood the teat of time., in moresenses than one, in many Continental citiem. It is interesting to note that special models of this instrument, which are suitable for rickshaws and other foreign vehicles, are now being made to order. These appliances, of course, are made to displaythe currency of any, country in which they are intended to operate. The agent for Australia is Julius Goldachmidt and Co., of 255a, George Street, Primrose Buildings, Sydney, and for South Africa, the National Trading Co., Johannesburg.

Other instruments in use in London are the 13riihn, the Halda, and that of the Metropolitan Fare Register Co. Packing for Shipment.

In addition to our article on the proper packing of heavy motors for shipment, which article appears on page 275 of the present issue, we would point out to our readers that Robert Park and Co., Ltd., of 91 and 93, Clerkenwell Road, E.C., also undertakes work of this description, and is prepared to quote for the packing, insurance, and forwarding of any particular consignment.

Radiator Tubes.

A new process of forming the gills for radiator tubes, from a single long strip of copper sheet, enables the Spiral Tube and Components Co., of Caledonia Street, King's Cross, to supply tubes of this kind which are exceptionally strung and of reasonable cost. These components are being found to be equally efficient and durable for aeroplane work, or for employment on the heaviest types of comme,reial-vehicles.

Case-hardening Equipment.

Fletcher, Russell and Co., Ltd., the well-known gas engineers, of Palatine Works. Warrington, produces practically every type of gas-heated and oil-heated furnace that may be required for garage and repair work. Brazing and forge benches, crucible furnaces and hardening muffles, bearing the brand of this reliable maker, are to be found amongst the equipment of all the principal users of commercial-motor vehicles in Great Britain and on the Continent.

Steel Tanks and Safes.

Welded steel tanks, for the storage of any form of liquid fuel or lubricant, are specialities which are manufactured by The Steel Barrel Co., Ltd., of Uxbridge, Middlesex. The welding process adoptrit by this maker obviates the use of riveted joints, with their attendant possibility of leakage. These works will supply to any dimensions. Useful sheet-metal safes, for the storage of tins of spirit, are produced by Tupholmea. of 48, Bridge Street, Sheffield.

Ball Bearings and Silent Chains.

The Hoffmann Man ',fact uring

Ltd., of Chehnsford, and Fischer's Ball and Bearing Co., of Hinckley Street, Birmingham, are manufacturers of high-class ball bearings, which are suitable as components of commercial-motor vehicles of all types. Silent chains, and their corresponding wheels and pinions, such is are required by the London Police authorities to be fitted to all motorbuses, are specialities of Hans RenoId, Ltd.. of Progress Works, Manchester, and of the Westinghouse Brake Co., Ltd., of York Road, King's Cross.

Huge Petrol Storage.

As we go to press, we are informed that the London County Council has, after prolonged discussion, grunted a licence to the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., for the storage of petroleum spirit to the extent of 270,000 gallons, at Stevenage Road, Fulham, S.W. This will all be " Shell " spirit, which sells very freely amongst owners of business vehicles. The licence, which is the first to be brought before the L.C.C. as a body, is a great win for spirit. importers and consumers, as the quantity allowed is enormously in excess of the previous largest sanctioned.

Wheels and Tires.

The question of the provision of the most-suitable class of rubber tire for vehicles which are intended for service in the Colonies, or other parts of the world, is a matter which must necessarily call for considerable care on the

part of the purchaser. The present. occasion is not one which lends itself to the careful analysis of the various closely-competing claims of the more important tire-manufacturing companies

and the requirements of purchasers, in the first instance, will probably be sufficiently met by a suggestion that the various business announcements of such reputed companies as J. W. and T. Connolly, Ltd., the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., the Shrewsbury and Chu'liner Tyre Co., Ltd., Polack Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., the Peter Union Tyre Co., Ltd., J. 1.iversidge and Son, Ltd. (de Nevers tire), S. Stevenson and Co. (" Faransure " tire), Messrs. Wallington, Weston and Co., the "Dreadnought" Sectional Solid Tyre Co., Ltd., of West Smithfield, E.C., and the St. Helens Cable Co., Ltd., in other parts of this issue, should be perused.

Amongst the products of the above makers, it is interesting to record that, in the recent Austrian Industrial Vehicles Competition, such widely-different machines as the 70-80 h.p. Austrian Daimler 12-ton train, and the 14-16 h.p. Austrian F.I.A.T. delivery van, won the War Minister's special prize and a silver medal respectively while mounted on Polack solid tires. Peter Unions still continue to do good service under the strenuous conditions of London motorbus service, and Dunlops and ShrewsburyChalliners are English productions which are gaining favour every day. The latter brand, especially the " Giant " and " World " types, are being exported in

enormous quantities to all parts of the.

world. A special tropical quality et rubber is used for hot climates. In addition to tires, this maker, in common with Liversidge, Smith-Par frey and Co., S. Stevenson and Co. (Glasgow) and Connolly, manufactures a great range of road wheels of all descriptions, and a good detachable rim. The Dunlop detachable wheel and the same maker's detachable rim are specialities which should interest motorcab and stall-van owners, especially. Messrs. Wallington, Weston and Co. are making various patterns of band tire for the trade, and are open to make others. Grip-section tires, and particularly that known as the " Promo angle tire," are the only types which these makers offer to the public. The " Marchant " method of fixing solid tires, which is handled by J. Liversidge and Son, Ltd., is clearly illustrated by the reproduction cf a photograph on page 299. The graphic method of announcement adopted by the St. Helens Cable and Rubber Co., Ltd., of Warrington, in the advertisement pages of this issue, is amusingly explanatory of the special characteristics of this maker's special tires and air-tubes.

Castastcel wheels, made by the Atlas Engineering Co., Ltd., of Levenshulme, near Manchester, are meeting with a great deal of success. Recent sales have been effected to the London. General Omnibus Co. and to the Ryknield Co. (for the fleet of motorbuses which it will send to Brussels). Wrought-steel wheels, suitable for tractors, heavy steam and petrol propelled wagons and their trailers, agricultural motors and other machines of various types, are a speciality of T. Toward and Co., Ltd., of Newcastle-on-Tyne. In combination with rubber tires, sets of these wheels are being supplied for use on motorbuses and medium-capacity lorries.

Brake Linings and Other Supplies.

" Ferodo," the well-known cottonfabric brake lining, which is so extensively employed by all the London tube railways and the motorbus-operating companies throughout the country, has recently been subjected to long series of remarkable tests, both at King's College and on the Underground Electric Railways of London. A more-recent speciality is this maker's " bonded asbestos lining, ' which is claimed to he indestructible. It is impossible to harm it with oil. One of the specialities of Brown Brothers, Ltd., the great suppliers to the motoring world. of Great Eastern Street, E.C., is " Ravbestos„" another asbestos lining which is in considerable favour with users of commercial-meter 'vehicles of all classes. This huge business concern sells practically everything, in the way of small fittings, accessories and materials, that can possibly be required in connection with utility machines. W. H. Willcox and Co., Ltd., of 23, Southwark Street, London. is a " Universal Provider " in all branches of engineers' supplies. the " Victor '' slide-valve facing machine, and other things (see page 304). The Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd.. C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., and Price's Patent Candle Co., Ltd., all market special oils of grades suitable for comm ere i a motor vehicles.

An ingenious device, which has met with much appreciation from drivers and mechanics, is the patent " Quick-Lift " jack manufactured by Tangye's, Ltd., of Birmingham.


comments powered by Disqus