DEAR
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SIR
TYRE COST D EFLATION • Concerning Bob Greenwood's article "Tyre Cost Deflation" in the Commercial Motor Workshop supplement of April 1986. While I think the free service offered by Continental to be a first class idea, I would point out there are several items which would or could give incorrect results, or in one case give rise to a dangerous condition.
Concerning the latter item, which concerns alterations to alignment to vehicles equipped with power steering, most commercial or PSVs with integral power steering use power steering pump pressures from say 1,200 psi to as much as 2,000 psi.
If the alignment of the vehicle is altered, then by definition the relationship with the steering stops will have altered.
If nothing is done about this, a possible disaster condition could arise.
With upwards of 2,000 psi on the stops the following is possible: 1. Mechanical damage: a) movement of the spring leaves in the area of the second (Military Wrap) leaf resulting in front axle movement; b) lifting of the track rod causing the alignment to alter to toe out condition; c) possible damage to the track rod ends, wheels, and wheel retaining studs and nuts; d) vehicle alteration in handling as a result of the forgoing.
2. Irregular tyre wear: Typical front axle "toe in/toe out" tyre wear, near-side front outer shoulder, offside front inner shoulder.
So, to repeat: If any work is done on the front axle or suspension, then it is vital that the steering stops are reset to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, and also if the power steering box is adjustable, the steering box cutoff pressures are reset as recommended by the steering box and vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
Alignment equipment: I recently had a request from Kilbuck Commercials of Haydock, Merseyside, to equip their workshop with all items required to do the following: alignment of up to 4-axle vehicles; castor/camber/KPI gauge and fixing adaptor; run up blocks; lift and run-out guage; strings and measuring tapes; instruction in vehicle and tyre characteristics; instruction into case histories of problem vehicles encountered in over 30 years of solving same; instruction into checking and alteration of alignment and setting up of power steering from 2 axle to up to 4 axle with twin steer interaxle alignment.
All this at little more than a third of the price mentioned in your article; and for good measure the courses are approved by the RTITB as well. Ray Derricott
Ray Derricolt and Associates Stoke-on-Trent LORRY LOADING — SPONSORSHIP NEEDED • I AM looking for a sponsor for my project, which concerns every road haulage driver in the country.
This project is how to load and off-load every product that moves up and down our roads day and night; dunnage for loading timber and how to chain it down; how to strap machinery down and timber the floor so that it doesn't move. Loading foodstuff; corner boards on after loading; making sure pallets are close together when loaded with no spaces for movement; sheeting correctly — putting the ropes in between the pallets and not on top of them to damage the product.
I have got together seven experienced lorry drivers with many years of loading and offloading experience. I have also got a solicitor, an accountant, a film and video company, and a printer working for me on this project. I have also a publisher and a script writer standing by for when I get sponsorship.
Training schools do not offer this knowledge at all. I think that it is badly needed all over the country. All training schools do is to teach how to drive the lorries, not how to put loads on the back and secure these loads. It will save lives and save insurance companies millions of pounds a year in claims. It will make British roads safer places to travel on. This is the year of Safety, so let's give the road haulage world a boost in 1986.
I have been working on this project for a long time. Young men and women spend a lot of money getting their HG Vs so they can get jobs in the
haulage world. When they get their licences they can't get jobs because they have no experience of sheeting or roping any loads. Some lie to get work. They muddle through because if they told the truth they would just not get the work. [feel sorry for them and I am here to help them all for the future.
I work for Charles Alexanders of Aberdeen. I am a changeover man at Kendal going to Manchester Fish Market. We load all over the North, Merseyside, North Wales and the Midlands every day, six days a week.
The College of Further Education in Kendal is trying to get me a grant for this project. ROSPA in Birmingham are also very interested, as are the Safety Department of the Kendal Police.
I have a second mortgage on my home to help get this project off the ground. I would like to get it on Channel 4 TV if I could, and that would reach every haulage driver in the country and that would be marvellous.
I have also been to Aberdeen to see the man in charge of Charles Alexander about my project. I spent my holiday week doing this, and financial help is now needed.
The men I have got will lecture all over the British Isles every week and when the lorry men are at home.
[have been in touch with several truck manufacturers but their sponsorships are al ready tied up for this year. A S H Kelly Stuart Kelly (Enterprises) Cumbria.
"TADDY" — GEITINC IT RIGHT • Your article on the restored John Fowler steamer, Lady Betty, will no doubt upset the 'beer cart' in Tadcaster. The vehicle is apparently sponsored by John Smiths brewery but you ref. to the driver having a skin f of "Taddy" which is a trademark of the rival Tadcaster brewery, Samuel Smiths.
Knowing the intense rival between the two companies probably more intense in tl-a past than at present, I woul think that a John Smiths dri) full of Sam Smiths Taddy wc be looked upon as a matter investigation by John and as victory by Sam.
Regarding the merits of ti two brews I will make no cc merit since, as with most beers, it is an acquired tast( and the quality depends upo. the skill of the landlord. Alsc since I was "browt up" on o brew in particular kept by a first class cellarman, my vie. could be biased.
C Lewis Wakefield West Yorkshire DTp PUTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
• You were absolutely righ to be incredulous about the I entries in a recent European Commission report on the ei forcement of drivers' hours tachograph regulations in 19: (CM — May 24). There wer serious errors in the docum
In fact, the Department o. Transport had correctly reported to the Commission ti figures for 1983, which wert that 248,955 roadside check were carried out and 10,462 infringements detected.
Your readers may like to know that this is the total of infringements serious enoug to warrant further action ant am pleased to say that the Commission will be circulatii correction.
Anne Beuselinck Department of Transport London SWIP 3EB