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A Big Fleet Without a Garage

13th February 1942
Page 31
Page 31, 13th February 1942 — A Big Fleet Without a Garage
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Phases of the Transport Activities of an American' Company Operating Over 11,700 Route Miles

RAPID riges to large-scale working are to be found among American road-transport operators, just as they ara among those in Britain. A particularly interesting example of such progress relates to Hayes Freight Lines Inc., of Mattoon, which now runs over. 11,756 authorized route miles.

The original Mr. Hayes was a one horse-wagon operator at Mattoon, Illinois, in 1884, but it was in his son's day, 25 years later, that business started to look up, a twin.,cylinder motor vehicle being purchased and the area covered extending to a radius of 25 miles.

In 1426, there were still only half-adozen motor vehicles in use, but it was decided to set out on longer hauls, carrying general goods. The system quickly spread to all parts of the State and now the company employs 1,000 workers.

Studies have been made to determine the most -suitable machines for each class of duty: for instance, the company runs 148 Chevrolet tractor units of the 1 i-ton type. As the company believes that a vehicle will pull more than it can carry, semi-trailers are used with these units and take loads up to 18,000 lb: The machines. are equipped with hevy-duty radiators, oil-bath aircleaners and helper springs.

These semi-trailer .outfits work between the various main points on the system, When a machine reaches any

terminal point the goods intended for that area are unloaded and consignments for distant points taken aboard. Older vehicles are converted to ordinary vans and work the local-delivery services from the different depots.

Main workshops are situated at Mattoon, with smaller repair shops at strategic points throughout the system. Whether it shows signs of needing attention or not, each vehicle has a thorough inspection at 3,000 miles, at which stage some 52.-iiierns are checked over. Once a year each machine is given a complete overhaul.

As a matter of policy drivers' are sent out without equipment for running repairs, but if trouble should be encountered it is the driver's duty to telephone the neighbouring depot, from which a rnechanic is sent in a fast car to the spot with all necessary tools for• dealing with the particular trouble. This =arrangement is claimed to show a substantial saving in servicing expenses. Extensive stocks of components and accessories are kept at the Mattoon headquarters and depot managers

obtain all their requirements by ordering from there.

Naturally. drivers have to report matters that require attention so soon as possible. A form is filled in by the man when he brings his vehicle to the depot and the work is completed by a mechanic who has to countersign the card. After the 3,000-mile inspection a certificate regarding the work done is signed by the particular depot inspec

tor. A superintendent of equipment spends most of his time travelling from depot to depot, and -at each place he checks over costs cards with drivers and mechanics. Detailed examination is made of any unit the returns for which are above the average in costs per mile.

Works facilities include shops where the vans are rebuilt and trailers constructed in their entirety. One member of the staff, who performs the duties of buyer, not only makes most Of the purchases for meeting the company's requirements but spends much of his time, on the road undertaking practical observations of how the equipment works in service and calculating what improvements it plight be useful to effect in the future.

Hayes Freight Lines Inc. •has no garage .accommodation whatever, because its vehicles are kept constantly on the move, stopping for only maintenance, repairs, loading and unloading,

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Locations: Mattoon

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