Speed Deputation's Third Visit
Page 36
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MAINTAINING the pressure for the abolition of the 20 m.p.h. limit on heavy goods vehicles, the deputation, from the leading national industrial and transport associations, headed by Sir Leonard Browett, director of the National Union of Manufacturers, will call on the Minister of Transport to-day. It will be the deputation's third visit in two weeks. On the previous occasions the Minister was called away to urgent meetings.
Sir Leonard estimates that a 15-percent. saving in operating costs would result from an increase in speed limit.
POLARIZED LIGHT THE IDEAL
THE application of polarized light is the ideal solution of the headlamp dazzle problem, but many difficulties will have to be overcome before it can be universally employed. Sir Frank Smith, Chairman of the Road Research Board, told Press representatives this last week at a demonstration held at the Board's Langley establishment. One adverse factor was that polarizing filters cut down the emission of light by more than half, thereby necessitating bulbs of extrahigh wattage.
The effects of headlamp misalignment, even as little as half a degree, were made apparent by the demonstration, in which pairs of modern double dipping lamps were used. The poor visibility afforded by lamps allowed to deteriorate and emit a widely diffused spread of light with hardly any forward penetration was also shown.
After two years' study of the dazzle problem, the Board recommends that standards regarding headlamp aiming and intensity be drawn up. These should he publicized in an effort to attain their general adoption, rather than be enforced by regulation. Much dazzle was caused by incorrectly adjusted passlamps. These should be dipped with the line of maximum intensity three degrees below the horizontal. The headlamps of goods vehicles were often misaligned because the load depressed the rear of the machines.
COACH OPERATORS OBJECT TO STATION PLAN
A NUMBER of private coach oper
ators objected to plans for building a new bu., station in Blackburn at an inquiry held by the North Western Licensing Authority last week. Blackburn Corporation and Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., supported a scheme whereby a station would be erected on a site adjacent to the river Blakewater to relieve congestion on the Boulevard. but it was stated that no provision had been made for smaller operators' needs.
The Authority said that he thought it was a mistake not to have included
82 smaller operators' representatives at conferences at which the plans had been discussed, and he adjourned the inquiry so that all parties could meet and exchange views.
A JOINT-R1NG CUTTER
RINGS of Klinger jointing materials can be cut easily and quickly by a hand tool recently introduced by Richard Klinger, Ltd., Sidcup, Kent.
Weighing only 14 lb., the machine can be used to cut rings as large as 4 ft. in outside diameter down to a minimum of 2 ins, inside diameter. It takes less than 20 secs. to cut a Klingerite joint ring Yain. thick and 2 ft. in diameter.
The machine is supplied with a spare cutting wheel, a t-in. punch for making the centre hole in the material, and a I-in.-thick base disc 15 ins, in diameter.
CRYPTON INTRODUCES A FAST CHARGER
APORTABLE fast charger with an output of 100 amps. for 6-volt batteries or 80 amps. for 12-volt has been introduced by Crypton Equipment, Ltd., Bridgwater, Somerset. Known as the
model AFS. 1260, it can revitalize " flat " batteries in a few minutes so that the starter motor may be operated, boost semi-exhausted batteries to optimum capacity, or provide a slow charge for a number of batteries connected in parallel.
The cost of the unit is £68. A slowrate charging panel costs £2 10s. extra. An in-built thermostat automatically terminates fast charging when battery temperature reaches approximately 115 degrees F. The charger is for connection to 15-amp. power points on 200-250 volt A.C. supply.
DISTRIBUTORSHIPS WANTED
ADESIRE to obtain a distributorship for a British commercial-vehicle manufacturer has been expressed by the Farkom Trading Co., Ltd., Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 7/2, Pangalti, Istanbul: This concern was established in June, 1948, and deals in private cars, lubrication equipment and pumps. Manufacturers communicating with the company are requested to inform the Board of Trade, Horse Guards Avenue, London, S.W.1. Easier H.P. for Transport Units TT is understood that the Board of 1 Trade will be willing, when transport units come on to the market, to exempt vehicles acquired from the Road Haulage Executive from the 18-month limit on hire purchase. At present, the Hire Purchase Control Order includes commercial vehicles among the products on which a 33; per cent. initial payment has to be made, with the remainder to be cleared in 18 months.
The new finance company to be set up by the Road Haulage Association and United Dominions Trust, Ltd., to provide capital for the purchase of transport units, is likely to have about flOm. available.
CHAMBER SUPPORTS INQUIRY
THE Minister of Transport has been informed by the London Chamber of Commerce that it warmly supports the representations made to him by Metropolitan Members of Parliament that an inquiry into the administration
of London Transport should be made. The view is widely held among members of the Chamber that large savings could be made with greater efficiency and a better service provided.
HANDS CLEANED WITHOUT ABRASION 'THREE representatives of "The i Commercial Motor" who have tested Boraxo, a new hand cleanser, report that it is remarkably effective. Apart from removing grime from the skin, it has the unusual quality of dissolving grease under the nails.
Borax Consolidated, Ltd., Regis House, King William Street, London, E.C.4, states that the powder contains no insoluble or abrasive fillers. The scouring action necessary to remove ingrained dirt or to penetrate oily films is provided by small grains of borax which slowly dissolve during washing. The powder is claimed to cause no damage to the skin and members of the staff who have used it state that it leaves no roughness on the hands.
A dispenser is available for industrial use.