New Heater-Charger Tested
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DESCRIBED by The Commercial Motor on January 25, the Peregrine combined engine heater and battery charger has been the subject of an extended test by this journal. It has shown itself to be reliable and to heat the engine most effectively and keep the battery nearly fully charged.
The vehicle used had a 14-litre petrol engine with a sump capacity of 8+ pints. For the test it was kept in a metal garage having a damp atmosphere and providing little or no insulation against outside changes in temperature. Fuel rationing increased the severity of the .test, because the vehicle could seldom be used.
Previous to fitting the Peregrine, failure to start was common, the engine often being completely unresponsive to any treatment other than towing. After Fitting the unit, however, a first-time start was always possible, and use of the choke was unnecessary except while the starter was being operated. In fact, operation of the choke after thN was found to strangle the engine. An added advantage was that full throttle could be used almost immediately without any hesitation in the pick-up.
Spot checks showed that with an ambient temperature of 42° F. and the oil at the same temperature, switching on the Peregrine resulted in a rise of 21° F. in an hour, whilst use of the heater after an evening run kept the oil at 108° F. in an ambient temperature of 52° F.
Snow-Boy Developments
TO increase the usefulness of the Rolba Snow-Boy snow-plough, two 'new designs have been introduced. One is a rotary model with a full cab for the operator. The other is a pedestriancontrolled tracklayer which is notably easy to marneuvre.and when necessary can climb over the top of deep snowdrifts in order to make a fresh approach to the work.
A sheet-steel cab has been introduced on Model 2012. This design is powered by a Volkswagen 28 h.p. industrial engine and has gearboxes to give four forward speeds and two oper2rting speeds. All controls are located centrally in the cab, which has all normal road-vehicle instruments and is heated. There are both foot and hand brakes and the throttle also has both pedaland hand-control. A main headlight is incorporated and a searchlight and a rear light are mounted on the cab roof.
The tractor unit and the snow-cutting device have an articulated link which enables the appliance to turn through a minimum circle of 20 ft. Steering action is initiated by a double-acting hydraulic cylinder that turns the tractor, the cutting unit reacting automatically.
The cutters are built up on a single n22
axle chassis which can be lifted or lowered from the cab by means of the hydraulic system. The snow-clearing capacity is stated by the manufacturers to be approximately 190 tons per hour. When not required in snow service, the cutting unit can be removed and replaced by a street-sweeping brush.
Rack Strips Improved UlTABLE for constructing a wide b--) variety of stores and display racks, the Supaslot Major 14-gauge and Supaslot Major I2-gauge angle strips, manufactured by the Supaslot Angle Co. (G.B.), Ltd., 2 Princes Street, London. W.1, have been improved in design to give greater strength. In addition, positive location can be obtained at 1+-in. intervals, instead of 3 in., as previously Six-in-One Solution APREPARATION which will, in one application, stop radiator leaks, stop cylinder-head and block leaks and seepage. lubricate the water pump and
obviate pump squeak, as well as inhibit the cooling system against rust and scale, is now available from Bar's Leaks (England), Ltd., 73 Scrubs Lane, London, N.W.10.
It is sold in 6-oz. bottles costing 7s., and one bottle is said to be sufficient to give complete cooling efficiency to any smaller commercial vehicle for at least 5,000 miles.
New Pumps for Old THE new replacement range of G.U. mechanical fuel pumps produced by G. E. Jones and Sons (Machine Parts), Ltd., 112-114 Great Portland Street, London, WI, is now available on an exchange basis against unserviceable mechanical fuel pumps—G.U. or other makes. The range is being continually expanded.
Heavy-duty Brake Fluid 1-1, A BRAKE fluid, conforming to the
S.A.E. 70R1 heavy-duty specification, has recently been introduced on the British market by the Mobil CV Co., Ltd., Caxton House, London, SW.!. It consists of a synthetic fluid plus a low-volatility solvent and is fortified with oxidation, corrosion and rubber-swelling inhibitors.