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First-class Maintenance Benefits the Furniture Remover

15th May 1936, Page 49
15th May 1936
Page 49
Page 49, 15th May 1936 — First-class Maintenance Benefits the Furniture Remover
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Ben falls, Ltd., of Kingston, Operates Some 30 Vehicles on Furniture Removal and Delivery Work. Fleet Efficiency is Promoted by Careful Maintenance and Vehicle Breakdowns are ALARGE multiple store, which ineludes amongst its activities a large garage, service and sales department for the use of private motorists, is fortunately placed from the point of view of running its own fleet of vehicles. Such a concern is Ben tails, Ltd., of Kingston, which runs a garage and service station adjacent to the main stores in the town.

The garage has accommodation for no fewer than 500 private cars and it is provided with up-to-date equipment for carrying out service work and complete overhauls. Furthermore, a largo paint shop and coachwork section are included, and body repairs and repaints are undertaken.

With such a background, one would expect to find that the concern's own fleet of vehicles is maintained at a high pitch of efficiency, and, judging from a recent visit to the transport department, this proved to be the case.

The fleet is made up of 80 vehicles of Dennis, Morris-Commercial, Albion, Thornycroft and Leyland makes.. In addition, a Fordson tractor is used ex

tensively .in, connection with furnitureremoval work. The vehicles are allotted to the various departments, which are debited with the transport costs, including interest on the purchase price of the vans, but not the capital cost.

Of the total, 14 vans are used for furniture removal, 14 for furniture dispatch and 48 for parcels dispatch. The remaining four vehicles comprise the Fordson tractor previously mentioned, a broadcasting van, a service van and a breakdown outfit. In addition, seven lift vans are operated by the furniture department.

An efficient dispatch department is, of course, a necessity with so large an organization, and two large loading bays, one for heavy goods and the other for parcels, are provided in the main building. Considerations of space preclude a description .of the careful organization that lies behind the work oUhe dispatch department, Each vehicle is docked for oyerhaul every nine months. At the same time the body is either re-painted or varnished as required. A colnplete record of all work carried out on the vans is, of course, kept, but, in addition, the date of each overhaul is painted in small letters on the side of each machine. By this means it is possible to see at a glance the last date on which any major work was effected.

Mr. F. C. E. Macmurdie, the transport and garage superintendent, is a great believer in the use of a high-grade and thoroughly clear lubricant. For this reason he has installed a Streamline Filter for reclaiming used oil. Furthermore, it is a rule that the engine -oil on all the vehicles must be changed every 500 miles, the sump being flushed and re-filled with clean oil. This system ensures that the lubricant never gets really dirty and, when passed through the filter, it is as new. The result of this policy has been a big reduction in bearing troubles.

Running repairs are carried out by the night staff and the vans are also washed at night. The washing bay can deal with 20 vehicles at a time.

Each morning the drivers are responsible for greasing the more important chassis points, whilst periodically the vehicles are thoroughly greased on the pressure systefn by the maintenance staff. A further feature which has proved of real value is 'a 'monthly inspection of each vehicle by Mr. Macmurdie. Every Thursday morning a quarter of the fleet is lined up for inspection and Mr. Macmurdie examines the vehicles with the .drivers so that any faults which may have arisen are brought to his notice.

Tags

People: E. Macmurdie
Locations: Kingston

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