Fresh Air Action
Page 63
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AUTOMATIC cleansing, a very desirable feature for bulk refuse containers, is provided by an air-jet device recently introduced by Ronald Perham Ltd. Consisting of Fin. bore pipe and connection, the jet can be fitted to existing containers by making one drilling in the side and fixing the attachment to the base. The manufacturers state that a burst of air at about 100 p.s.i., emitted when the container is tipped, will assist in clean discharge and will prevent dirt accumulating at the base of the bin.
When introducing the air-jet cleaning system it would, of course, be necessary to have the appropriate collection vehicles fitted with a compressing device and air reservoir. The system can be modified so that containers are automatically disinfected when the air jet comes into action.
I understand that some 30,000 Continental design bins with this device are employed in Lyons (France) and that in this country tests have shown it to operate successfully with Paladin containers.
The vehicle illustrated has an 18/27-cu. yd. Gibson Pendulum body, with bin-lift, and is mounted on a Dennis 13-ft. 6-in.
wheelbase municipal chassis with a Perkins 6.354 oil engine. Although the containers are discharged through the roof the design is such that the overall height, including the inverted bin, is only 13 ft. 10in. The lifting gear can handle either 1-cu,-yd. or i-cu.-yd. containers. The vehicle was supplied to the Corporation of London by Ronald Perham Ltd.
Cross-country Rescue
WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL has just acquired an ambulance designed primarily for dealing with emergencies on hills, downs and country tracks, although it will also be used for routine duties. The chassis is the four-wheeldrive Austin Gipsy, which will plough its way through to places quite impossible
for more conventional machines. Cornfortable modern bodywork has been provided by Wadhams (Coachbuilders) Ltd. In this design accommodation can be made available for up to four stretcher cases with their attendants.
The equipment for West Sussex includes low-loading stretcher gear and two light-alloy stretchers. As this Wadham ambulance is likely to make a strong appeal for use in remote areas the optional items offered include fully refrigerated and forced-feed ventilation for use in the tropics and an extra-highcapacity heating system for Arctic conditions.
Cutting the Cost
ACCORDING to a report approved by the Berkshire County Council, substantial savings on vehicle repair costs will be achieved if such work is placed in the hands of selected repairers. The finance committee has been recommended to invite tenders from three substantial concerns for the repair of all damage to county council vehicles (except in those cases in which the estimated cost is less than £7) and to invite quotations for the insurance of the council vehicle fleet on the basis that a contract will be completed with one of the three firms.
In the past vehicles have been repaired at the nearest garage capable of carrying out the work. But sometimes, at the request of the insurance company, a second estimate has been obtained, and it is stated that invariably by going to a larger organization the cost has been substantially reduced.
The report suggests that by way of inspections by the insurance company's assessors, sufficient safeguards can be provided to ensure that the work is satisfactory and all charges are at a reasonable level. In this way it is thought probable that repair bills may be reduced by at least 5 per cent, with a consequent cut in the premiums.