Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners ; these we never supply. Our advertisement
columns are OPen to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of trade.
A Usual Result—" Thank You."
" I note your reply, in answer to a legal question that I asked you, and write to thank you very much indeed for the trouble you have taken, and the consideration you have afforded to me in this matter."
An Endless Track.
[2212] (Inventor).—Scores of inventions and patents have been taken out, sonic dating back 60 years, of the kind which you mention. We fear that there is no advantage in your proposal, as such fittings are found to tear away under the heavy stresses which are inseparable from the use of a self-propelled wagon.
Concerning le-ton Loads.
[2213] (Merchants).—We recommend steam ; 10-ton loads are not easily handled by petrol lorries. There is considerable extra wear upon the tires on the driving wheels of a lorry when a trailer is hauled, and no individual self-contained petrol wagon (nor steam wagon) can carry 10 tons on its own back and be a commercial success, unlese exceptionally-high rates are obtained to cover the extra, wear and tear, and under no circumstances in the United Kingdom.
Early Arrot-Johnstons.
[2214] (Position of Driver).--The Arrol-Johnston Co. built motorbus chassis, with provision for the driver's seat to be located on the right of the engine, in 1906 and 1907. As a matter of fact, machines of this type were running in the service of the G.E.R. Co. in London until last year. The company has not gone on with this arrangement. We do not know of any other manufacturer, with the exception of the Lanchester pleasure car, which adopts this practice at the present time. Perhaps you have in mind the chassis in which the driver's seat is over the engine ?
What Rate For Iron Ore?
[2215] (Freightpayer).—You ask : "What. would be a reasonable rate per ton for the conveyance of iron ore over 30 miles of good road in the West of England? Maximum load, constant work, and prompt handling at. each end to be assumed'?" No suggestion is made as to the type of vehicle which would be preferred, nor is there information with regard to the possibility of return loads. Assuming, therefore, that the choice of machine is open, and that the journey of 50 miles is in one direction only, it is probable that the following estimate will be a useful one. A steam wagon and trailer, hauling a total load of, say, eight tons on steel tires; assume niaximum loads, constant. work and prompt handling, a 50-mile outward journey to be completed on alternate week days, the following day in each. case to be devoted to a return journey light, which gives 300 miles weekly, of which 150 would be working under load ; loaded cost should be not more than is. id. per mile inclusive ; light cost. may be taken at 9d. per mile inclusive ; total cost for work. £13 15s. ; cost per ton-mile, 2.7d. ; cost. per ton, Ils.
The allowance for profit must be based on the contractor's own ideas of the subject, but assume, for instance, 4s. 6d. per ton for the 50 miles, which would give a profit for the week of £5 8s. Adding to the cost of £13 15s. would mean quoting at a. weekly cost If £19 3s, for a 300-mile journey, with 150 miles light, which would be about right.. This involves a charge of 16s. per ton for the journey.
c 16 Wants a Job.
[2216] (Improver).—Your case is like that or many hundreds of men,_ and we, of course, cannot give any personal recommendation, seeing that we do not know you, and that therefore such a recommendation would carry no weight, apart from the fact that it would be unjustifiable on our part to give one. On the other hand, we would suggest that you
write direct to , telling them that you do so on our suggestion, as we believe that firm is in want of men to go abroad with its agricultural tractors. Of course, a small advertisement in this journal, for which -the charge is id. per word (minimum 18 words), shouid be of service to you.
Alternative Use as a Char-a-bancs.
[2217] (Long Eaton).—Many owners so use chassis which are at other times .fitted with goods-carrying bodies. If you intend to carry passengers by prearrangement, and do not contemplate plying for hire, you are not required to take out a licence from the Watch Committee or the police. You, however, forfeit your right to claim exemption from taxation as the owner of a trade vehicle, as a machine, to preserve that status, must not be used even incidentally to carry passengers. You will require to pay the duty of three guineas, as the machine is over two tons unladen, and, in addition, a los. duty for a hackney carriage. If the latter is applied for after the first day of 'October, only half duty is chargeable.
Horse or Petrol Motor ?
[2218] (CoVentry).—We consider that the best figure to take in your case for a three-ton machine, with a weekly average of 350 mires, is 8d. per mile ; for a five-tonner, with a weekly mileage of 300, 11d. per mile. This includes all charges. such as insurance, depreciation, maintenance, fuel, tires, interest, and driver. As to old figures, which are before you, you must remember the extraordinary economies that have been effected, for instance, by London bus-owners ; in the old days, here, costs used .to be anything up to 18d. and move per mile. The latest type of motorbus is running at a cost of
7d. per mile. Many horse-owners do not realize that, with a small mileage, their horse plant may cost them up to 10d. or is. per mile. As a matter of fact, horse-owners very often do not know what is the cost per mile of their antiquated plant.