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Reducing Tyre Costs
nNE of the important items in running costs is
tyres; this on, say, a 3-tonner almost equals that of maintenance and is exceeded considerably only by the costs of fuel and depreciation. Yet tyres are often sadly neglected, mainly in respect of keeping up the correct pressure, but often in other ways.
Many municipal operators and other important concerns pay for their tyres on a mileage basis and then the makers have a more direct interest. In any case, however, it is important that tyre fitters should be thoroughly trained. To achieve this the Firestone concern brings tyre fitters to its works at Brentford from all parts of the country, so that they can undergo an extensive course of training.
Another advantage is that, at the works, they meet those who are responsible for making the covers and tubes and are thus able to appreciate the careful selection of the materials used and the skill involved in nroduction.
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Drivers and Injection Pumps
PURTHER answers to questions put to the Western I Forum at the recent C.A.V. Agents' Conference at Torquay, referred to in our issue dated April 16, may be of interest to operators: Mr. F. H. Kidd, of British Road Services, asked if there was any satisfactory method of servicing PNH /Poppet Nozzle injectors and whether this could be undertaken on a user's own service machines.
The answer was that the company had a satisfactory works method, but owing to the difficult /%1tnique, test conditions and expensive apparatus nec ssary, it was considered that these special injectors should be returned to the works. A flat rate exchange scheme is, however, being arranged.
Mr. Kidd also asked if there was any foolproof method of preventing drivers from interfering with the governors on fuel pumps.
To this the answer was that unless this problem could be overcome, the police might step in and help. There was frequent evidence of tampering with excess-fuel devices and governors. It was really a matter of stricter supervision on the part of managers and executive staffs controlling fleets.
The normal practice of wire-sealing maximum stops should be sufficient, but it might be necessary to revert to the lead-sealing of governor closing plugs and in the latest type used, particularly for under'floor engines, reversion to some kind of spring-cap lubricator, instead of a hexagon-headed plug introduced because of the difficulty of lubricating the governor, may be necessary.
Work is going ahead in the effort to find a foolproof excess-fuel device for starting, to prevent this being used after the need has passed. This is even more important than the question of interference with governor settings.
New Coach Station Progresses
QATISFACTORY progress is being made in the "..-" development of the King's Cross Coach Station, opened recently by Park Developments Ltd.
Wisely, at an early stage the area was surfaced with tar macadam, whilst temporary booking offices and a canteen were provided. Now excellent permanent offices, including one for coach tours, separate canteens for passengers and coach personnel, cloakrooms and a tobacco kiosk, protected by a veranda-type covered way, are being solidly built. Special gas heaters are mounted high on the walls.
A portion of the ground is also being arranged as a concreted vehicle wash.
Visual Aids to Training
XPERIENCE has shown that the advantages " gained by the use of visual aids as a complement to the spoken word in any form of instruction, are manifold.
An interesting exhibition of wall charts, stereoscopic photography and other devices to help students was staged recently by Illustrated Classroom Education Co., Ltd., 30-31 Hanover Court, Hanover Square, London, W. 1.
Included among the exhibits were training charts designed for oil and chemical concerns, whilst exploded drawings depicted safety measures for personnel.