For DRIVERS, MECHANICS & FOREMEN.
Page 23
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A :PRIZE OF TEN SHILLINGS is awarded each week all others are paid for at the rate of a penny a line, with an published. Mention your employer's name, in confidence, Commercial Motor," 7-25, Ros
Lamps Alight—
Light your -lamps at 4.39 in London, 5.2 in Edinburgh, 4.30 in Newcastle, 4.43 in Liverpool, 4.42 in Birmingham, 4.49 in Bristol, and 5.28 in Dublin.
Making Clutch Components Accessible.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prize this week.
[18001 " T.A." (Manchester) writes :—" On a heavy petrol chassis which I drive, the clutch actuating collar calls for renewal after comparatively short intervals. The defect is perhaps not altogether one
of design or construction, as the rapid wear of the part is chiefly caused by particles of the chemical materials, which most frequently form my load, dropping down between the collar and the surface against which it beds. It is true that on a correctlydesigned chassis, at least such is my opinion, it would not be possible for foreign matter to find, its way in between the two faces, but we have not yet arrived at this state'4of perfection in the design of commercial vehicle chassis.
"The cost of a new collar is not high—a. few shillings covers it—but it is a difficult thing to get at, as it is made, and necessitates the removal or uncoupling of the universal joints between clutch and gearbox, the shaft, and the clutch.
"I obviated this trouble in a simple manner, and the method of doing so may be of interest to some of my fellow drivers. The collar itself is of gunmetal, lined with white metal. It is completely circular, and is fitted with pins to which the links which connect with the clutch-pedal gear are attached. I procured a piece of in. by in. steel and bent it to fit the outside circumference of the collar, as shown in the sketch (which we have had re-dra,wn.—En). I secured it to the collar by four / in. set screws, and then removed it again. With an ordinary hacksaw I cut through the collar as shown by the dotted lines in the sketch. I can now slip the collar in place over the clutch sleeve, replace the portion which I have cut
to the sender of the best letter which we publish on this page allowance for photographs. All notes are edited before beinq as evidence of good faith, Address, D., M. and P., " The ebery Avenue, London, E.G.. 1.
out, and secure it by means of the steel strap. So constructed, the collar can be renewed in less than half an hOnr, and it acts just as well as a one-piece collar as supplied by the makers, provided the screws are a good fit. I always have a spare collar in hand now, made up as I have described."
A Steam-wagon Firebox Repair.
{ism] " A.W." (Dewsbury) writes :—" About a year ago, I had some trouble with the fit ebox of my steam wagon. Two cracks developed just below the fire door, each extending from a rivet and running downwards. Several attempts at closing the leak by filling the cracks with copper wire and caulking proved abortive, and finally resort had to be made to the makers of the wagon, who recommended that the
cracks should be welded up. •
"It was decided to act upon this suggestion, and a repair was duly effected," the wagon only being laid by for a day and a half for the purpose, and a satisfactory job was the result. The works manager, however, was evidently a little distrustful of the job, for when I went to bring away the wagon he warned me to be careful, and in particular to keep the shovel and rake from coming into contact with the repaired part as much as possible.
" As the cracks had been immediately below the door, as shown in the sketch [We have had this redrawn and it is reproduced herewit1.—En.], this was more easily said than done. What is more natural "than to slide both shovel and rake along the bottom edge of the opening when .cleaning and replenishing the fire, or when cleaning out the ashes in a morning l I decided to find some means of protecting the firehole, while at the same time allowing myself greater freedom to use my firing implements. "I hit upon a device so simple as hardly to seem worth relating. I procured a piece of sheet copper, and carefully hammered it into shape so that it would fit over the repaired part. It was thin enough at the sides not to interfere with the closing of the fire door, whilst enough metal was left at the top to deaden the shock of a clanging fire shovel. It served its purpose admirably. "While writing of this job, I should like to point out that the welding job was well worth trying. It has been a good one now for a year or more, and shows no sign of deteriorating. Bad it not been welded, the alternative was notljing,less than a new firebox, and this would have meant at least a fortnight's delay, to say nothing of the enormous difference in cost which would have been incurred."