Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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Makers of Fire-escape Trussed Ladders.
[2401] (Glasgow Makers).—We have ascertained, on the authority of the London Fire Brigade, that so far as they know the only British makers of mechanicallyoperated fire-escape trussed ladders are Messrs. Merryweather, of Greenwich and the Cedes Electric Traction Co., Ltd., of 112, Great Portland street, W.
The Rate for Depreciation.
[2402] (Contractors).—The figure for depreciation is one which each surveyor settles locally as a rule. There is no fixed figure for the country, and the practice is undoubtedly below L0 per cent. We should say if you can get through on 15 per cent, per annum you will be as well off as most users, but perhaps you can give special reasons for a higher rate.
Wants to Learn to Drive.
[2403] (Lambeth).—You should write to the Chief Engineer Londan General Omnibus Co., Ltd., 9, Grosvenor Road, S.W., and ask for a form of application for entry as a learner-driver. You will be taught how to drive better by the L.G.O.C. than by any ether undertaking in the couptiy, but you will, of course, have to live at your own expense during the time you are learning.
Which Makers Fit Dual Ignition ?
[2404] (Motors).—The Austin two-three-tonner is fitted with Bosch dual ignition. We are afraid it is not possible for us to give you a list of the makers who regularly fit dual ignition, but you can take it that a great many of the regular builders of industrial vehicles, if they do not fit it as standard, not infrequently make this modification to the requirements of users. Probably the quickest way to get at the whole list would be for you to ask the Bosch people.
Safe Angle of Tilt of Motorbuses.
[2405] (Lancashire).—The angle of tilt for an unloaded motorbus is in excess of 45 degrees from the vertical. We are unable to send a photograph or block of a motorbus undergoing the test for its angle of tilt. You might be able to obtain the loan of such an illustration direct from Mr. W. Worby Beaumont, 222, Strand, W.C. If you care to refer in the library at Burnley, where they file THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, you will find a photographic reproduction in our issue of the 27th December, 1906, and a diagram in our issue of the 18th April, 1907.
Hire of Chars-a-bancs in London.
[2406] (11th July).—We recommend you to address the following London owners of chars--banes :— London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., 9, Grosvenor Road, S.W. Thos. Tilling, Ltd., Winchester House, Peckham, S.E. British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., 1, Kingsway, W.C. P. Hearn, 234, Gray's Inn Road, W.C. W. A. Stevens, Ltd., 26, Victoria Street, S.W.
Suitable Tires for a li-ton Van.
[2407] (Hotel).—We know the roads to which you refer, and their condition in the summer. They are presumably very much worse in the winter. It is certainly cf importance to have an ample section of tyre, and we should recommend you to go even as high as 120 mm. twins on the back wheels, and the same size singles on the front wheels. You should certainly in no circumstances go below 100 mm. The 4d. per mile which you mention is no doubt in the nature of a subsidy, because you are also allowed to carry passengers in those vehicles. It should pay you quite well at is. per mile, on the mileage which you give, six days a week, and also allow you to make stand-by provision. In competition, you might have to cut the price to 10d. per mile.
D6 Running Costs for a Contractor.
[2408] (Midlands).—We have posted to you a sheet of running costs. If you want to do contracting work, we recommend you to double the costs given, and then to multiply the number of miles which you have to run on any job by the figure so obtained. When you get the product, divide it by the load in tons which you will carry per trip, and you will get a rate per ton. There is no book issued which deals exclusively in any useful or valuable way with the commercial side of motoring.
Owners and Occasional Hirers.
[2409] (Birmingham).—You should see a revenue of 2s. per mile run when you use your steam wagon with trailer, and Is. 6d. per mile when you use it without a trailer. If there is to be a satisfactory margin of profit for a 25-cwt. petrol lorry, the revenue per mile should be not less than 8d. on a mileage of 60 per day ; if it fall below that mileage, you should put the revenue basis up to 10d. per mile run. Of course, if you have any reasons for obliging people in the matter of hiring, and if those reasons have a business value to you, you will have to use your own discretion.
To Start a Small Taxicab Garage.
[2410i (Essex).—We are afraid we must leave it to you to decide if the running of taxicabs in your district would prove remunerative. You can make a profit, of course, provided you can get plenty of .employment all day. We are, however, rather inclined to think that this would be a difficulty in your district. We think you could purchase a second-hand, taxicab through Mews. James Bartle and Co., 236a, Lancaster Road, W., who frequently have such vehicles through .heir hands.
It is, however, a matter upon which you will have to exercise great discretion, as second-hand motor vehicles are so frequently liable to give considerable unanticipated trouble. . It is impossible to state a general rate of depreciation for a second-hand ma, chine. An expert examination will be necessary to enable an exact rate to be stated ; the mileage to date and condition affect it.
Running Costs of a Second-hand Machine.
[2411] (Builders).—It is an .extremely difficult matter to give you an accurate estimate of your probable running costs based on a second-hand machine of whose mechanical condition we have no knowledge. It would appear that you are running this under loads very much in excess of that for which it was designed, and, although the engine may be powerful enough, it is probable that other portions of the chassis are being subjected to vary considerable strain in excess of that for which they were designed.
Of Wolseley mechanism, design and material we can speak in the highest terms and, of course,. the company cannot he held responsible for any failure which might take place as the result of your using the machine for work of a class so different to that for which it was intended. We assume that it had a heavy limousine body on it and was not shod with solid rubber tires on the rear wheels.
Taking everything into consideration, and with some knowledge of the district from which you write, we think you should as a preliminary estimate your running cost on the following basis : Lubricants, .2d. per male ; maintenance Id. per mile, with depreciation at something like 33 per cent. You can add your own driver's wages, and cost of fuel and tires we presume you can ascertain 'without any trouble. We think perhaps you would be not ill advised to fit a modern and more simple carburetter. The Solex carburetter, which is manufactured by S. Wolf and Co., Ltd., 118, Southwark Street, London, 8.E., is giving excellent results in all classes of work.