THE RECORD FOR LOW FUEL CONSUMPTION,
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Further Details of the Wonderful Results Obtained with a 6-ton Thornycroft, the First Announcement of which Appeared in ,Our Show Report Issue.
WHILST we are always willing to give the full meed of praise due to foreign manufacturers when their products perform some outstanding feat, we cannot help but he pleased when articles of British manufacture show. that they are at least equal to and in some cases better than those produced in other countries,
Some time ago the excellent record of 104.66 ton-miles per gallon was achieved by a vehicle of Swiss manufacture in a trial under R.A.C. observation. For some. little time it. was thought that this figure could hardly be exceeded, but with commendable pluck and enterprise J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., entered one of their 6-tun lorries for a similar trial, also under R.A.C. observation and over the same route. That their confidence in entering this vehicle was fully e justified is proved by the truly remarkable results which were achieved.
With an average load of 6 tons 9 cwt. and a total running weight of 10 tons 19 cwt., the fuel consumption worlied out at 11.28 m.p.g. over a distance of 1,008 miles, givng a figure of 123.34 as the ton-mileage per gallon. The oil used gave 1,697.7 m.p.g., which was nearly 250 miles to the gallon better than in the case of the other vehicle. The only respect in which the consumption was greater was with -water, 1 gallons of which were replaced at the conclusion of the trial, whereas in the vehicle which had put up the best previous record only one pint was replaced.
The chassis of the vehicle used is one so arranged that either of two enginesi.e., 41, ins. by 6 ins, or the 4 ins. by 54 ins.—may be used, and for the purpose of the trial the smaller was employed. The power unit has an R.A.C. rating of 25.6 h.p. and a cubic capacity of 4,529 c.c. The gear ratios are top, 7.25 to 1; third, 12.68 to 1; second, 20.08 to 1;
first, 38.4 to 1. The engine r.p.m. on top gear at 12 m.p.h. were 682, and the average speed of the vehicle throughout the whole distance (of course, consider lug running time only) was 11.9 m.p.h., The route of the trial included the following places :—London (Swiss Cottage), Barnet, Welwyn, Hitchin, Biggleswade, Tempeford, Eaton Socon and hack The trial occupied 10 days in all, aric the weather was generally fine except for rain on two days. The roads were good, and the lorry did not coast when descending hills. The fuel used was a mixture of threE standard first. grades of motor spirit. The general reliability of the vehich was proved by the fact that no work other than replenishment., lubrication and greasing was done throughout th. trial, and there were no involuntar:; stops of any kind.