Opinions from Others.
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one sloe of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
Still Delivering Commercial-vehicle Chassis.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
c1425] Sir,---We should like to correct an impression that we are entirely engaged on the manufacture of munitions and unable to deliver commercial-motor chassis. Although we are largely engaged on the output of munitions, we are still able to deliver a few 3and 4-ton chassis for work of national importance, and we should like inquiries from such users. Recent deliveries have been to the Wey Engineering Co., Weybridge, who are using two Palladium 3-ton chassis to carry munition workers to and from .Weybridge Station, and to Vickers and other large factories in the neighbourhood. The Wells Aviation Co., the Whitehead Aircraft Co.. E. G. Brown, Birmingham, Barrett of Luton, Standen and Sons, Sittingbourne, and Beaumont of Henley, have all placed repeat orders.—Yours
faithfully, For PALLADIUM Al7TOCARS, LTD., Ross MACMAHON, Managing Director.
The Era of the Agrimotor.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
(14261 Sir,—In your issue dated 1st February, your correspondent, Mr. W. H. Roberts, with characteristic American effrontery, makes some generalized attacks on the economic aspect of the cable system of ploughing possibly with the personal impression that it has necessarily become obsolete owing to its 40 years vogue, and one gathers that he has only given the matter superficial consideration.
Taking his criticisms in order—" You do not use a 60 h.p, engine for a 20 h.p.job." The remark is almost too vague to deal with, but if Mr. Roberts would talie the trouble to inspect a cable-ploughing set at work in some of our agricultural counties, notably Cambridgeshire, he would have his eyes opened and still further, if he attempted to tackle some of the same work with one of his American tractors, he would refrain henceforth from ill• informed criticism.
As regards initial outlay, I would remind him that cable engines are used almost exclusively by ploughing contractors who conduct the business as a business, on a large scale, and whose income is dependant on output. As to cost of operation, I do not think it is claimed for the cable system to effect •a large saving on other methods, but it does certainly claim. to get the work done with a speed and certainty which leaves the direct-traction system far behind, and these considerations alone are usually of chief importance at the end of the financial year. Finally, Mr. Roberts finds cause for mirth at the bare idea of the misguided cable ploughman courting ' ficaneial disaster through conducting his business on a 50 per cent. " work factor," may I term it? Curiously enough these persons have managed for many years to make both ends meet, with, usually, something left over. Further, has Mr. Roberts ever given consideration to the possible 50 per cent. power loss involved in moving the dead weight of the tractor over the land?
—Yours faithfully, CECIL H. Cox.
A gritnotor Costs.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1427] Sir,—In your issue dated 1st February, you published, and referred to, pre-war agrimotor costs. We are of opinion that the figures given may in some eases be misleading ; for instance, it is quite wellknown that in test 3 as described in your issue, the 056
30 h.p. Universal was practically cut out owing to the persistent heating-up of a bearing. We beg to submit to you a 30 h.p. Universal test made on the 5th September, 1914, which shows that this machine actually ploughed 16.10 acres during 12 hours at. a
d cost of 2s. 7d. per acre, and with the same depreation added, the total cost per acre is 3s. Sd.
The object of this test was to prove the ploughing capacities of a, model "B," 30 b.h.p. tractor, hauling two three-furrow ploughs, and without malting any special effort, or previous preparation. The following letter was received from the owner, Mr. Cecil Browning, Steppingly, Beds., dated 5th September, 1914:—
Messrs. Saunderson and Mills, Ltd.
Dear Sirs,—
I have pleasure to certify that your Model " B " Tractor arrived at my farm on the evening of 2nd September.
The next day at 7 a.m. the tractor commenced to plough in a 21 acre field, leaving off at 7 p.m. The amount of laud ploughed during the 12 hours viras 16.10 acres.
Occasional halts were made during the 12 hours run to lubricate and replenish fuel and water, but no compulsory stoppages of the engine occurred. The land is usually ploughed by two horses with a single furrow plough, but it is now so bard that my horse ploughs will(sscaigrneeedl)y penetrate it. I consider the quality of the ploughing excellent.
Cecil Browning.
The fuel used was as follows :—Paraffin, 31 gallons, at Bd. ; petrol, 2.1. 'gallons, at is. 6d.; lubricating oil, 11 gallons, at 2s. ; six plough shares at 10W. ; driver and two ploughmen's wages for 12 hours, 14s. ; total expenditure for.16.10 acres, £2 is. 6d. That is to say, 16.10 acres ploughed in 12 hours at a cost of 2s, 7d, per acre. 4 should be noted that the fuel was supplied to a contract, the " spot " price at the time being 7d., or 2d. per acre more. Taking this as an example, we think it should interest your readers to know what advances have been made since the early tests you have quoted. I have no hesitation in saying that not only Universal motors, but other agrirnotors also, have made such advance in efficiency during the past three or four years as to outweigh approximately, the increased fuel and labour costs. Whereas there has been no corresponding increase of efficiency in horse ploughing, on the other hand it has gone up in costs to a. much greater extent per acre ploughed than have fuel and oil costs, and when reliability and other items are duly considered, the advantages and costs are more in favour of motor ploughing to-day than they ever
were.—Yours faithfully, H. P. SAUNDERSON, SAUNT/ERSON AND MILLE, LTD., Bedford. Elstow Engineering Works.