Tyre shortage if Govt gives 38-ton amahead
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DOUBTS about the ability of tyre manufacturers to supply appropriate tyres if the authority to operate vehicles of 38 tons gross or over were granted by the Government, were raised this week.
CM's attention was drawn to this by a Midlands haulier who had been experiencing difficulty in obtaining 12.00-20 tyres for his Mercedes 1924 vehicles. He contended that he was compelled to buy two spare wheels with these vehicles in order to ensure that they were not off the road waiting for the delivery of this size of tyre, allegedly almost unobtainable here and taking up to a week to be delivered from manufacturers abroad.
In a survey conducted by CM, it became plain that there could be a shortage of these tyres if a sharp demand arose quickly.
Michelin told CM that there should be not longer than 48 hours delay in satisfying a customer at the moment. What it considered as adequate stocks of this size of tyre with the normal zig-zag tread were maintained and if the local dealer did not have them in stock, they could be made available to him in the period stated.
Pirelli does not make 12.0020 tyres in this country but plans the manufacture of a small quantity here next year —paradoxically, mainly for export. However, the fact of starting manufacture in the UK implies the facility for rapid expansion should the need arise.
Dunlop does not make radials of this size in the UK either and obtains supplies from France. However, the company pointed out that it did manufacture cross-ply tyres here and with 30 tyre depots, not to mention the holding factory at Fort Dunlop, there should be not longer than two days' delay in supplying 12.00-20s of either type.
Despite the protestation of tyre manufacturers, it is plain that a sudden upsurge in demand could very well leave operators without the type of tyres suitable for 38-ton-gross operation should the opportunity present itself. AN EXTRA-LOAD capacity dairy electric known as the Thruline was launched last week. It has been developed by Crompton Electricars and their main distributor Oxford Electries.
The Thruline was designed by the two companies to cater for the growing demand for a vehicle to carry goods, such as bread and potatoes, as well as dairy produce.
The model is based on a Crompton Electricars F85/36 chassis in the interests of standardisation, and the nation