Froude retards psv brake wear
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A PSV engaged on stagecarriage work is repeatedly accelerated and braked and a high-capacity retarder would lengthen the life of the service brakes.
A spokesman of Froude Engineering Ltd, Gregory's Bank, Worcester, said last week that the vehicle would also be better to drive.
While an eddy-current retarder had the advantage of zero residual friction when not in use, a practical unit could not be produced having sufficient capacity for such an application An hydraulic retarder was the preferred type because it could provide the braking force required which more than offset its inherent residual-friction disadvantage. An eddy-current retarder could be the best for long distance work.
It was announced at the function in Froude works that a Froude hydraulic retarder is being developed with the psv market in mind as part of a forward-planning programme and is being tested in the laboratory. No details were yet available.
The proportion of Froude engine dynamometers of 44.75kW (60bhp) to 89,484kW (120,000bhp) to be exported had declined from 50 per cent in 1975 to an anticipated 30/50 per cent in 1976. But exports had in fact increased since last year, an upsurge in UK demand having been a continuing trend.
UK makers to which this applies included British Leyland, Perkins and Rolls-Royce.
Turnover of the company has increased from £2m in 1974 with a backlog of £1.3m to the current projected turnover of £5m with no backlog.
LT cut-backs
INSUFFICIENT grants from Essex and Surrey County Councils have caused London Transport to cut back the routes it operates in these areas. Five routes in the Esher and Staines areas will be Altered.