• The chain reaction that gets a grip on winter
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Don't let driving snow stop you driving. Get some snow chains. And do it now, for the British tendency to panic-buy, apart from being plain foolish, can also work out as rather expensive. Mike Rutherford talks to a leading dealer about the range available
THERE CANNOT be many road users looking forward to another winter similar to the one we bungled out way through last time. Remember those dark, icy, windy days earlier this year when lives were put at risk simply because so many drivers were unprepared?
It is not easy to concentrate on preparing for winter during these relatively kind summer/autumn months. But the truth is that winter is fast approaching. Life will be easier then (and possibly cheaper) for everyone if an investment or re-investment in essential winter accessories is made now — before the onset of the inevitable bad weather.
If people went out shopping for food only when starvation paint had been reached they would be laughed at. Yet if people go shopping for an essential winter driving aid, like a windscreen scraper, at the very time that they need it — on a frosty or icy winter's day — they are apparently acting quite normally.
If you do not believe that road users can be so stupidly thoughtless, ask a manager of a high street retail outlet when he sells most if not all of his de-icer or anti-freeze. Better still, visit his premises when the bad weather strikes and watch the punters clambering for the essential goodies.
One company that might actually be hoping for a bad winter is Snowchains Ltd of Sevenoaks, Kent, sole importer of Weissenfels tyre chains. How important are snow chains? An owner driver who uses snowchains is well qualified to answer that question: "I'll tell you how important chains are. Last winter I carried a pair on my back for two miles just so that I could get myself out of trouble."
This tendency to panic-buy as late as possible, apart from being inconvienient, can also be expensive. John Copson, sales director of Snowchains, has heard of at least one British driver on the Continent who was forced into buying some chains in an emergency, and was left hanging around while the shop supposedly made a special effort to get them delivered. He was then charged for the delivery (even though the chains were in stock) and had to pay an exorbitant price. The supplier knew that he was the driver's only hope and therefore could charge what he liked.
John is not suggesting that this will happen all the time, but it is certainly credible that such an incident did take place, basically because the driver forgot what he was taught in the boy scouts — he was not prepared.
Snowchains Ltd is already established in the car sector and has now introduced a completely new range of commercial vehicle tyre chains to the UK market following its success with car chains. There is, though, no comparison between the commercial vehicle and car chains, says John.
The new Snowchains Ltd Weissenfels truck chains, the 80 Series, has been launched following an exhaustive de velopment programme. The 80 Series is designed specifically for use on coaches, heavy goods and emergency vehicles. The chains can be used at higher speeds and can give a smoother ride than others, it is claimed. By combining an asymmetrical pattern with square-edged links, the maximum traction is achieved.
"The particular design, specification and materials used, offer unrivalled grip coupled with a vast reduction of vibration transmitted through the steering and axles," says Snowchains.
The 80-Series chains have a prolonged life, are completely reversible, and are made from top-quality alloy steel. They are available in both single and double-wheel specifications. Sizes range from 185 x 14 (Transit size) upwards.
They give superb grip under braking, says John Copson. Prices range from about £77 per set for Transit-sized tyres to about £180 for larger 10.00 x 20 tyres.
A set in these examples constitutes two chains — one for each of the rear tyres of a vehicle. If they can be fitted on the front tcro, safety is improved even more but of course the cost doubles.
There is also an A82-Series which is a twin-wheeled version, of the A80.
It is ideal to have the chains all round, if it can be afforded, says John. It is, he claims, more important to have them fitted back and front on a commercial vehicle than on a car.
No matter how many are fitted, though, driving will never be as safe as on a normal, dry road surface. Extreme care is obviously still needed and there is an additional danger in that drivers with chains can feel a false sense of security. It is easy, says John, to get complacent knowing that you have chains on your own vehicle, but it must be remembered that a driver coming in the opposite direction may not be so well equipped. You might have "superb grip" when braking with A80 chains but does the oncoming driver?
The Weissenfels/Snowcha ins Ltd A15 Series of chains is economically priced, but not, it is claimed, at the expense of quality. These lower-priced chains are designed with emergency use in mind, and should be used on shorter journeys. There is more vibration with the Al5s too. But their price is competitive: £48 for a Transit, £90 for the 10.00 x 20s (again, two rear wheels only).
Snowchains Ltd has so far sold to service industries like gas and electricity boards and is currently in the process of appointing a network of stockists. There is now a trend towards buying chains in the UK rather than on the Continent, says John Copson. They are now not necessarily more expensive here, he says.
It is impossible to talk about fitting times with tyre chains because the more often they are fitted to a vehicle the more familiar the user becomes and it therefore takes him less time to fit them. It is fair to say, th,ugh, that fitting takes only a few min
utes per chain.
Each set is complete with a carrying sack and fitting instructions. Snowchains Ltd will even sell you a pair of excellent snow shoes (effectively chains for the feet) to complement the tyre chains. Until the full list of stockists is appointed, sales inquiries should be sent direct to Snowchains Ltd, 6-8 Victoria Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1YE. Tel: Sevenoaks (0732)460601. (An excellent brochure is available).
Glasdon Ltd, the Blackpoolbased manufacturer of snow removal equipment, salt spreading machines and grit storage containers, agrees that many people were unprepared for last winter.
"Many companies and organisations had inadequate equipment to cope with snow and iceremoval problems, and this re suited in lost time and money," says Glasdoi.
The company supplies safety cones, safety signs and safety clothing. It can also supply road salt at short notice. A winter products brochure is available on request from their base: Grasdon Ltd, Industrial and Municipal Sales Division, Preston New Road, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 4UL Tel: (0253)694811.
The Wolf Safety Lamp Co Ltd has already found that the likes of the Central Electricity Generating Board and ICI are using the Wolflite safety headlamp.
It is a compact and efficient handlamp, designed specifically for use in potentially hazardous areas, such as at the scene of a road tanker accident or in places where industrial gasses or chemicals might escape. It is lightweight, the body and lens ring being manufactured .rom high-strength plastic which can and .1most any impact, says ..ulf, even in sub-zero conditions.
It provides a long-range beam, is well sealed and can be used in the wettest environments, even at shallow depths under water.
When charged, the battery has a shelf life at cool temperatures of five years. More details are available from the Wolf Safety Lamp Co Ltd, Saxon Road Works, Sheffield S8 OYA. Tel: (0742)51051/2.
Tripower has introduced two, new thermostatically controlled heaters designed to provide efficiently and economically intermittent heating in large open areas or to supplement the out
put from existing heating installations.
The recently introduced models in the Space heater range are rated at 180,000 and 320,000 BTUs per hour. These high outputs make the heaters particularly suitable for use in warehouses or storage areas.
The heaters are on wheels and have automatic flame failure devices fitted. Full data on the various Space heaters marketed by Tripower is available from Tripower Ltd, Everton, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2HX. Tel: (0767)50011.
The Wipac Group has a range of vehicle lamps, essential for driving in poor conditions. Its impressive Black Hawk and Black Owl fog and driving lamps, for example, are reasonably priced and attractively designed.
The Wipac Worklite is a recently developed product especially for use at night or in emergencies. The heavy-duty, handdirected floodlamp emits a brilliant wide arc beam of light.
The Worklite is designed for operational versatility with a ninety degree swivel and pivot points, allowing adjustable allround beam direction by using the handle on the back of the lamp. Built into the main body within easy thumb reach of the handle is the operating switch.
Combining a lamp body and rim constructed from mild steel with heavy-duty bracketry, the lamp is coated with a durable matt black finish.
The Worklite floodlamp costs £14.85 plus vat and is available in either 12 or 24 volt versions from most major accessory stockists. If interested, contact the Wipac Group, Buckingham MK18 1BH. Tel: Buckingham (020802) 3031.
Harold Moore, the Sheffield Injection Moulding Company, has recently launched a new concept in shovels that is designed to replace the traditional, dry and heavy metal shovels commonly seen in use.
Manufactured in heavy-duty polypropylene, the new shovels are spark free and can safely be used in potentially hazardous areas. They are virtually unbreakable, rust and rot proof, and weigh under 21b.
As well as being ideal for paint or chemical store rooms they are just the job for digging out snow from underneath the wheels of vehicles. Because of their lightness they are easy to carry in a vehicle and are less likely to damage the interior of a vehicle than heavier versions. See Harold Moore (Injection Mouldings) Ltd, Bailey Works, Bailey Street, Sheffield Si 3BR. Tel: (0742) 27311/2.