Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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Makers of Wagons.
[4139] (Leeds).—You cannot do better than refer to the "Useful Names" and the " Index to Advertisers " in this journal, which are included amongst our advertisement pages every week.
Can He Continue to Repair Steam Tractors and Wagons?
[4140] (N.W.).—The Order which we published in our issue of the 18th ult. only concerns "new or unused" machines. You are quite entitled to repair old machines without a permit, if you can get the parts.
Use of Coal-gas, [4141] (Preparations).—We have only 14 copies left of the issue of the 2nd November last. It is the one that contains the data and illustrations about which you ask. The publishing department is charging 6d. per copy (post free). We have not decided at the moment to reprint the article.
Haulage Enterprise After the Peace.
[4142] (M.T.' A.S.C.).—It is extremely difficult to come to any decision concerning detailed prospects after the war for new haulage undertakings. We advise you to apply both your energies and any capital that may be at your disposal in the direction of Joining up with one of the existing haulage undertakings which has been through its establishment period. There are such undertakings, in different parts of the country, within our knowledge, capable of extension. Are you interested in any particular area? We are afraid that none of the steam-wagon manufacturers will finance haulage undertakings, although practically all of them will sell steam wagons and tractors on, the hire-purchase system.
About to Visit Russia.
[4143] (Representative).—We consider that no British manufacturer will be particularly ready to help to finance your projected trip, unless you have specific knowledge of commercial-motor vehicles and transport' generally. We suggest that you test two or three of them by preliminary letters. We think they will be much more inclined to pay the complete expenses of a man who has been identified with commercial motoring for some years than to be interested in a scheme, such as we gather yours to he, in the absence of that recommendation concerning the individual. We note that you will pay a first visit to Russia, beginning next July, and that you have made arrangements for machine-tool representation.
Coal-gas for His Char-a-banes.
[4144] (Somerset).—We refer you to our issue of the 2nd November last. It gives the fullest available information.
Use of Steel Vessels for Coal-gas.
[4145] (Rigid).—You must bear in mind that the filling opening in any container for gas should be at the top, and the outlet at the bottom. This is of great importance for getting. the first charge of gas into the vessel without having to waste too much while passing the gas through to sweep out the air. A closed joint must be made at the top.
Offered 25 10s. for a Three-toaster's Day, with Is. 5d. for Each Extra Mile, Plus 5s. Per Hour after 6 p.m. if 50 Miles Not Exceeded.
[4146] (Margin).—The terms will pay you, but the margin will not be an ample one. If you can raise the rates to £4 a day and 6s. an hour respectively, we think you should do so. If you are successful in that modification, the charge of is. 3d. per mile, for additional mileage, on the daily basis and without adjustment over the mileage for any week, should be satisfactory.
Incorrect Speedometer on Private Car Leads to Breach of Speed Limit by Temporary Driver.
(4147] (Discharged Soldier).—Even if the attention of the hirer had been properly drawn to the notice in the garage that "Cars are garaged and driven at owners' risk only," such declaration concerns civil liability only, whereas the breach of the law to which you refer is not a civil matter, but a criminal one (so-called). We think you might try the experiment of applying for the costs and fine, in the Circumstances stated, seeing that they were apparently due directly to the inaccurate registering of the speedometer, the readings of which instrument you had accepted in good faith. The point is one of considerable legal complexity. The owner, if he is a reason.able individual, will probably accept your point of view. Of course, it is to be hoped that the Kingston magistrates only imposed a nominal fine having regard to all the facts as stated, the trip being the first you made for the owner.
About White Chassis.
[4148] (Buyers).—The White engine is not so large as the power unit usually fitted to commercial vehicles. It. is specially designed to run at a high. speed, and in the circumstances this feature is not to be deprecated. With regard to the lack of a centre bearing for the crankshaft, such a bearing is generally to be regarded as essential. For the White, . again, it may be justly claimed that. this chassis is the exception which proves the rule. With regard to the fact that the direct drive is on the third, and not the fourth speed, in the gearbox, this has the effect of allowing the engine to run at its best speed at the normal rate of 'travel of the vehicle when loaded, whilst at the same time allowing of higher speeds under favourable circumstances, or when the vehicle is unloaded, without calling upon the engine to revolve at an unnecessarily high speed. The White chassis is generally regarded throughout the industry as being one of the better-class American-made machines. The company has been engaged on the manufacture of commercial vehicles for many years. It is not customary with White vehicles for it to be necessary occasionally to stop on the roadway while the engine cools down. We believe that by making the crankshaft a particularly sturdy one, the Phenomenon of "whip" of the crankshaft has been practically eliminated under all normal conditions of working.