Q We are vehicle distributors and often
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find it economic where more than one vehicle has to be delivered to a customer to load one on top of another. These deliveries have previously been made on trade plates but under the new regulations set out in Know the Law (CM January 2) it appears that we shall not be able to continue to do so, although this point does not appear to be specifically covered. Could you enlighten us?
AThe point is covered in the new regula
tions by restricting the carriage of goods on vehicles operating on trade plates. Goods may be carried only when the vehicle is being used for test or trial purposes provided the load is returned to the place of loading without having been removed except in the case of an accident or when the vehicle is being used for demonstrating its operation or the operation of its accessories or equipment when being handed over to the purchaser.
A motor vehicle when loaded on another is classified as goods so you will not be able to continue carrying them under trade plates A trailer, on the other hand, may be carried on a vehicle operating on trade plates provided it is for a relevant purpose, namely "for delivering it to the place where the purchaser intends to keep it: for proceeding to or returning from a workshop in which a body or a special type of equipment or accessory is to be or has been fitted to it or in which it is to be or has been painted or repaired: for proceeding from the premises of a manufacturer of, repairer of, or dealer in mechanically propelled vehicles to a place from which it is to be transported by train, ship or aircraft, or for proceeding to the premises of such a manufacturer, repairer or dealer from a place to which it has been so transported."
These provisions are contained in the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No 21 Regulations 1969 Section 41 (1 ).
QMy 16-year-old son is interested in a heavy transportcareer. I am quite prepared to encourage him in this, subject only to the condition that be should try to join a firm or organization with a properly balanced apprenticeship training scheme, to take him right through driving, maintenance and repairs, and on to various aspects of management if he is suitable.
Which firms are likely to meet these requirements?
AMany large companies involved in road
transport operate apprenticeship schemes. On the industrial transport side, the large oil companies are good examples of firms who might be approached. British Road Services Ltd. and many other large haulage companies also could be tried, and as:an alternative to these an apprenticeship served in the vehicle manufacturing industry is of considerable value in the road transport field. The essential point is that the apprenticeship is served under good conditions with adequate facilities for engineering studies to be carried out in conjunction with the training. Usually there is an opportunity to learn to drive during training.
Management training, of course, is not normally considered for youngsters. Keen, well-educated persons in their twenties are obvious candidates for management training but standards are rising fast—young men without at least a good background education up to GCE level will not, we think, stand much chance of being selected for management training.
The industry is gradually becoming split into engineering and operational functions and after serving an apprenticeship your son may find it difficult to change to the operational side to undergo management training because of the demand for well-qualified engineering men. However, the role of the fleet engineer in the industry has assumed far greater importance than ever before and this could be a position well worth aiming for.
If your son's inclinations are more towards the operational or administrative side then the same applies so far as initial education is concerned, but the course to follow after this would be to endeavour to join the traffic office staff of any large transport organization while studying for professional qualifications. Also he should take the opportunity of job training which is an important factor following the introduction of the Industrial Training Act.
To list the many suitable firms to which your son could apply would take too much space, but one only has to look around to recognize the big transport fleet operators.
O. The indicators fitted to the rear of our
vans are subject to repeated damage because they project outside the bodywork. It is our intention to regroup the indicators with the rear lights in protected clusters. The only difficulty is that we believe there are special regulations concerning the visibility of indicators. Could you advise us of these details?
A The angles of visibility of direction indica
tors are set out in the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1969 Schedule 3 parts 2 and 3. Basically the lamp when in operation must show a flashing light visible at a reasonable distance from both the front and rear of the vehicle. Diagrams of the required angles of visibility are given in Schedule 3 part 4 of the regulations and are shown (right).
/ have heard that the Caterpillar company of America employs an unusual type of injection system and that some of
the turbocharged units in the company's range are equipped with an intercooler. Could you give details and also the name of a Caterpillar agent in this country?
A The majority of units in the Caterpillar
range are equipped with injection capsules that incorporate a pre-combustion chamber in the injector housing. Fuel is injected direct into the chamber in a single jet and the burning fuel is discharged through an orifice in the threaded section of the injector body. The capsules are replaceable.
Truck engines equipped with intercoolers include the 1 693 six-cylinder-in-line unit that has a capacity of 14.61 and develops 375 bhp (SAE gross) at 2,000 rpm and two smaller units, the 1676 and the 1674. The 1676 has a capacity of 11.51 and develops 340 bhp at 2,200 rpm, while the 167410. 51engine has an output of 270 bhp at 2.200 rpm and a capacity of 10.51. Having the same bore and stroke of 121mm and 152mm respectively and the same capacity as the 1674, the 1673C six-inline turbocharged unit has no intercooler and develops a lower output of 250 bhp at 2,200 rpm.
It is of interest that the four units in the company's "mid-range" engines are VS naturally aspirated diesels developing 150 bhp, 175 bhp, 200 bhp and 225 bhp. These units are of the direct-injection type and it is notable that the pistons have only two rings. It is claimed that friction losses are considerably reduced by using two-ring pistons.
H. Leverton and Co. Ltd., Maidenhead Road, Windsor. Berks, is an authorized Caterpillar dealer.