Selecting the

12th November 1929, Page 146

12th November 1929

Page 146

Page 146, 12th November 1929 — Selecting the

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NEW VEHICLE Useful Advice on a Subject of Great Importance to the Potential

Buyer

THEPotential purchaser of a new Commercial vehicle, unless he has had previous running experience, is apt to find the matter one of no little difficult, and perhaps a few notes on the subject will prove of assistance to him:

To begin with, he should keep foremost in his mind the fact that the new machine is to be essentially a commercial proposition—commercial in the sense that, presumably, it is to be utilized either to effect eeonomies in present means for transport or to expedite delivery and thus ensure greater satisfaction to clients.

A particular vehicle at the Show may please the eye because of its bodywork, its clean chassis layout and—last, but not least— because of its price ; but it is far better for the visitor who intends to buy to formulate in his mind a complete idea of what he really requires and keep this before him all the time he is making his inspection.

It may be asked—How can he do this? That question is easily answered—hut only by himself. He must consider, first of all, the exact conditions under which the vehicle is to work, what loads have to be carried, whether they be bulky arid light, small and heavy, in large single consignments or small packages,: the mileage that it is essential to cover, the natureof the district in which most of the transport work has to be effected, whether the vehicle ever has to-traverse particularly rough roads

or unmade ground, such as building sites, or, in the case of the farmer, fields or cart tracks.

It certainly does not pay to select a large-capacity machine if it is to be employed half laden for the major part of its time, although many users are ant to base their selections upon the maximum load which a vehicle is ever likely to be called upon to carry. That is an entirely wrong policy. It is the average load which should TeceiVe attention. For an exceptional load it will probably prove much cheaper to hire another vehicle or employ some other unit. For pottering about in some suburban area, where the mileage is small and there is no particular traffic congestion and speed is a matter of no great importance, it is quite unnecessary to buy what is now being termed an express vehicle—i.e., one with a high powerweight ratio. Such a vehicle as that just mentioned is more suited to the long-distance conveyance of small loads or for use in circumstances where its extra engine power—and consequently higher rate of acceleration—can be taken advantage of in traffic driving.

The Question of the Body.

The selection of the body aione is a matter which should call for consider able forethought. It may be easy enough

to decide between buying a lorry or a van, but in each instance there are other points which need attention. The lorry m a y have sides hinged from the top or bottom, and these may be low or high, a tipping gear may be adecided advantage and, for certain classes of material, an all steel or steel lined body Proves advan

tavous.

As regards the van, thia may form one compartment or be divided. Where the load consists of many small parcels two or more compartments may be found useful and, sometimes, side doors as well as doors at the rear add to the ease of loading and unloading, and enable quick access to be obtained to certain articles withnut disturbing others.

In respect of the chassis itself it may be taken for granted that practically all examples of the modern vehicle are effi eient, and the chief differences occur in the matter of price ; in other words., the purchasercan usually count upon receiving value for his money.

If he has had no previous experience in the running and maintenance of commercial vehicles he would be well advised to take with him on his tour of inspection a friend who has this knowledge, and who can help him to distinguish between those little features which, whilst they appear unimportant in themselves, help so much 'towards solving the prOblemi of the maintenance engineer'; even the asc with which lubrication can he carried out is a matter which should receive attention, as it is illy by adequate lubrication at regular intervals that a vehicle will render satisfactory service during a long life.

There is another point which requires consideration in deciding the suitability of a vehicle for its work, and that is its loading height. The makers are now catering for certain specific requirements in this respect. Where loading bays are available, then the loading height of the vehicle should correspond approximately with the height of the platforms, but where loading and unloadinr have to be effected from the ground level, then the lower the .vehicle the better, particularly where the articles to be handled are of a heavy or cumbersome nature. .

We have not yet referredto the actual type of vehicle which it May be advisable to employ—by type we mean whether the motive power should be petrol, steam or electric.

Examples of the petrol vehicle can be supplied to cover practically every requirement in light or heavy transport, but both steam and electric vehicles have claims to special attention.

There are some remarkably efficient steam wagons, amongst them both fourwheelers and six-wheelers. For heavy haulage, particularly where. it is required to draw trailers, the modern steam wagon or tractor is a most satisfactory type of Machine.

Although the sphere of the batteryelectric vehicle is somewhat limited, it has advantages peculiar to itself. It is perfectly clean, silent and unusually easy to control. For work in congested areas it possesses the property of rapid acceleration.

The discriminating buyer will find at the Commercial Motor Show , a very wide selection of vehicles of all types from which to make a choice, and our last word to him is that he should not be too hasty in making his decision. Buy by all nieanS; but buy wisely.