The Equipment of a Repair Shop.
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By the Manager of a Large Running Shed.
When about to change over from the horse-drawn to the mechanically-propelled vehicle for the purposes of goods transport, many firms neglect to consider how and where they shall garage the new fleet. They seldom pause to think exactly how large such a fleet can reasonably be expected to become in the course of a few years.
In quite a lot of cases the new vehicle is totally unprovided for, in fact it is given standing-room at nights and at other non-running times in an open yard, much to its detriment. Some owners think that, as the new purchase is machinery and not flesh and blood, any old shed, however unapproachable or dilapidated, is quite good enough as a shelter, and there the unfortunate driver has to manoeuvre the vehicle, as well as to carry out such repairs as he can, whenever they become necessary. It is, of course, unnecessary to erect a palatial sort of building for the job, but even for a small fleet it is quite advisable to have a proper and convenient place for storage, where fuel, oils and tools can be kept, and the vehicles can be washed and cleaned.
Importance of the Entrance.
In choosing a site, it will be best to keep the following points in mind, but each class of business will, as a rule, have different requirements as regards situation and size of premises, etc. For a concern desiring to have its own garage for a fleet of vehicles to deliver its own goods, it will be necessary for the garage to be situated as near to headquarters as possible, if not actually on the premises. The entrance should give on to a good wide road on which the traffic is not excessive. The gateway should be wide enough to permit the vehicle to go in without the hind wheels' mounting the corner of the kerb. Much damage is often done to tires and the driving mechanism by frequent collisions with kerbstones.
If the fleet is to be a large one, a separate entrance and exit are advisable, so that vehicles can be arranged, as they come in, ready for going out. It is usual for the first in at night to be out first in the morning. This method will also give better opportunities of placing each vehicle in a convenient position, and will be found to avoid much shunting. Washing, if it is to be carried out well, should be carefully anticipated ; it is necessary to have plenty of light and water. In large garages, where there is a great number of vehicles, such, for instance, as those used for buses, the machines are invariably washed where they stand. This means that each part of the building has to be very well lighted. If, however, sufficient space is obtainable for a separate wash, and there is ample room to manceuvre, it will be found that a great saving in light and water can be effected, as the remainder of the garage can be less brilliantly illuminated, fewer hose pipes and taps need be fitted, and the cost of drainage installation can be lowered considerably.
The Lay-out of the Floor.
For garage floors, concrete is without doubt the best for all-round purposes, but it should be well laid and of sufficient depth to withstand the loads which are to be imposed on it. It can readily be laid to drain into gullies, and each gully should lead into a catch-pit for the collection of the mud, etc., which is removed in washing. In laying out a, new floor, it should be insisted that plenty of fall should he given, and that the gullies should be of ample depth and width—covered with movable gratings to allow for cleaning out. The catch-pith should be of good depth and are better fitted with gratings at the top, so that silt, etc„ may easily be removed. Many people have allowed contractors to have their own way in, this matter, much to their cost in a few months time, as drains then may have to be opened in order to clear them. There are several suitable systems of lighting, but electric is probably the hese and the most convenient ; it is, too, perhaps, cheapest in the end. It is almost the only feasible method where petrol vehicles are employed. Then again it is the only system which provides a safe portable light, and that is necessary for all classes of vehicles. Metal-filament lamps have gone far towards reducing the cost of current used ; they give less trouble than arcs and are much cheaper to install. Incandescent pressure-gas burners give excellent results for the general lighting of a building, but they are not so convenient as electric lamps.
Ventilation and Heating.
For a garage for steamers, efficient ventilation at the roof is most, desirable as, when several wagons are making steam in the morning, there is always a lot of smoke which must be got away as quickly as possible. Good ventilation of any accepted kind is a sine qui non in any building where men have to work at high pressure. It is desirable to heat a garage in winter for several reasons, primarily to prevent the water in radiators and cylinders from freezing, but also to give the workmen a chance, as they cannot work properly if the atmosphere be not kept at a reasonable temperature. Hot-water pipes and an independent boiler are, in the writer's opinion, the best system, although several of the hot-air systems are exceedingly good. Hot water is additionally useful for filling up radiators on very cold mornings, so ensuring an easier start for petrol vehicles.
Fuel Storage.
Petrol, if used in quantities of over 50 gallons per day, should be bought in bulk and stored underground in tanks, and pumped up when required. A vast amount of labour and clerical work is then saved, as one has not to deal with the familiar two-gallon can, 'which has such an undesirable habit of causing trouble when checking invoices and stock is being booked up. Petrol in bulk can, of course, be purchased more cheaply than in cans. Since the advent of the petrol tax it is necessary to keep a petrol-stock book ready for inspection, should the rebate be claimed for spirit used on commercial vehicles. Although the inspectors are very prompt in detecting errors, etc., they are not so ready to refund to the user the money which has been paid to the Crown as full duty on the petrol. Coal for steamers, of course, does not need such careful storage, but care should be taken so that wastage is impossible. Oils and greases must be stored in a suitable place, and careful check must be kept upon the issues. Non-consumable stores, such as spare parts, etc., must be kept in rational quantities, and great judgment must be used in the selection and maintenance of stock, so that the right part shall be at hand when required.
Stores and Supplies.
It depends largely upon the size of fleet to be maintained as to the nature of the parts which should be kept in stock, as it is useless to tie up a lot of capital in the purchase of expensive parts which are seldom wanted. Multiplicity of types of vehicles should be avoided at all costs. principally in order to keep the lis!, of psrts in stock down to a minimum: it also tends to efficiency in running and to satisfactory work in the repair shop and costs department.
An efficient stores is one of the greatest factors in successful operation ; not only does such a department provide the necessary parts and stock, but its records show where the money is going. From examination of the stores books and costs, much information can be gathered as to efficiency of running, and a finger can invariably and promptly be placed upon leakage and waste.
For the owner who is running his own fleet, the repairing and overhauling of the vehicles is a large question, for, unless the fleet be sutuciently large, he cannot afford to keep an efficient staff to do the work properly. In such circumstances it is better for him to contract with a reputable firm for the maintenance, and in most eases for the garaging and washing as well, as the contractor will have the necessary suitable premises, staff and appliances efficiently to deal with the work.
Maintenance by Contract.
The contractor should be chosen with great care, as the maintenance of vehicles is not the most simple or easy of work ; it must be thorough and consistent right through, and all work must be done at times when the vehicle cannot be used for its legitimate work, There is great scope, in the writer's opinion, in London to-day for the hiring by the year of suitable vans, lorries, etc., to many of the large trading houses, as many traders are open to contract for the hire of vehicles complete. This saves them actual outlay and frxrn entering upon what they consider to be a doubtful proposition as regards cost of maintenance. Prospective users by the hundred have now determined that motor transport will be suitable for their needs, but they are often afraid of what it will cost them per annum to keep the vehicles in an efficient condition.
Plant and Tool Equipment.
The contractor who lays himself out for maintenance of fleets for owners, and the hiring either of single, or perhaps of several vehicles, to traders will find that he must, in addition to his garage, have a repair shop. both for chassis and bodies. These shops should be kept separate from the running sheds, They should be well equipped as regards tools and plant, but these will vary according to the number of vehicles to be maintained, in the usual way. Where the contractor does not contemplate the actual manufacture of spares, the machine-tool installation need not be of an extensive nature, but the following will be found useful.
A screw-culling lathe, large enough to take the largeat flywheel and the longest cardan shalt used on any ot the types of vehicle in service ; a shaping machine of say 11 in. stroke ; radial and sensitive drills ; a small grinder, and a wet tool grinder are all advisable. An electric motor to give the necessary power should be installed. This type of prime mover is suggested, as the periods of use vary considerably and are intermittent. A brazing hearth, a smith's hearth and an anvil are also most useful, and can hardly be dispensed with. A portable electric drill is also a very useful adjunct to any repair and running shop.
Small Tools and Portable Plant.
Hand tools of the usual kind, such as taps, dies, files, etc., must also be kept in sufficient number. A powerful blow-lamp is a very useful tool, whilst for a, large depot an acetylene-welding plant comes in more than usefully at times, but a good operator is required to obtain good results and it will be difficult to find sufficient work to keep this class of tool going unless the depot is really a large one. If the vehicles run on pneumatic tires, a vulcanizer is an absolute necessity, and here again a good man is required or great damage will be done to the tires and tubes. Vulcanizing is the only really efficient method of repairing tubes ; patches are all very well in their way, but are not satisfactory in the long run. One or two pits are most useful, but their position and construction must be carefully thought out, otherwise a pit may be in use and so prevent another vehicle from getting in or out until it is vacated. However well laid out and equipped the motor department of any firm may be, it should be in charge of a man who understands the business and who will exercise care in the carrying out of the work. The. great point for a trader to decide at the outset is, can he afford to maintain his own vehicles or not? If he is only going in for a few machines, it will as a rule be to his interests to see what can be done by the contractor before settling this point. Alternatively he may consider if the necessary vehicles shall be hired by the month or by the year. There are already firms who have excellently-equipped premises in many large towns as well as in the Metropolis, and they can efficiently maintain traders' vehicles or contract for their hire.