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THE UPKEEP OF STEAM WAGONS.

20th December 1917
Page 19
Page 20
Page 19, 20th December 1917 — THE UPKEEP OF STEAM WAGONS.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

No. S.—Chain Baths,--The Rule of the Road.—Points Worth Remembering.

Accidents and Breakdowns.

The driving chain also needs special attention, for the efficiency of the transmission gear depends greatly upon its condition, for a dirty chain will easily...reduce this efficiency by 10 per cent. Itsis advisaltle to clean the chain once a month, by putting it in a paraffin bath and working all the dirt out of the joints with a scrubbing brush The paraffin should then be thoroughly drained off the chain, or washed off in very hot water and soda. If the vratet as hot enough, the

chain will be heated sufficiently to dry itserf almost completely as soon as it is hung up tordrain. It should then he given a bath in a. lubricant as follows :—Prepare a bathof hot tallow, or one of the various mixtures of solidified oil and graiThite on the market. Place the chain in it, and allow ‘the bath to cool with the chain in. The lubricant should then be warmed up again, the chain taken out and hung up to drain. it may be used again as soon as the lubricantahas set hard. A lubriccitor. fixed on the guard over the chain, With a wiper touching the rollers, as shown in Fig. 13, will be fund a very useful addition. To facbilitate filling up grease clips, the latest practice is to it plugs with spring buttons, and the ends screwed externally for chargmewith a grease gun. A tip to remember with oil-pad axle boles is to reverse the pad, for it will be found to wear away on one side, due to the axle running mostly in one direction.

The Rule of the Road.

A driver must be acquainted with the laws regulating the working of motor wagons on public roads, and the following is a short resume of these conditions for his guidance. Firstly, the driver mush .hold a licence and the wagon must be registered, the owner must register the weight unladen, the axle weights laden, the diameter of each wheel, the width‘and material of the tyres and tjae mininaum speed. Thew eights and speed must be painted op the wagon. The axle weight of any motor wagon must not exceed eight tons, and the total weight of a wagon 12 tons fully loaded. A trailer must not exceed l ton empty, .and each axle weight not exceed four tons fully loaded. Wagons up to this limit can travel up to a minimum speed of five miles per hour on steel tyres, eight miles per heur on rubber tyres, and five miles per hour with a trailer, no matter which type of tyres is used : these are the limiting features of a five-ton wagon. A three-ton wagon, to travel up to 12 miles per hour, Fig. must have rubber tyzes and tap axle Weight must ex ceed six tons fully loaded, alid a trailer must not be used. The authorities have the power to compel a motor wagon to pooeeed to the nearest weighbridge and hhare tile weights checked, but an; loss occasioned. by delay must be paid for by the authorities if the weights are correct. •

Points, Worth Remembering.

Lamps must be carried showing lights one hour aftes -sunset and one hour before sunrise; two front lamps showing white lights forwa:d, a rear lamp sliowing a red light backward, and a. white light on the registered number plate, and a lamp fixed on the extreme right or off side, showing a white light forward and a red 'light backward. A registered number plate must also be fixed in front of the wagon.

A motor wagon must not travel backward _further than reasonable circumatances demand..

Whaen on a motor wagon, the driver must have full control, as well as full view of the road -and traffic ahead. fie mustnot leave the motor without taking precaution against it being started in his absence, or allow a wagon or trailer to cause any unnecessary obstruction onsa highway.

When meeting any carriage, horse or cattle, keep to the left or near side of the road, and when passing any of the foregoing in the same direction, pass on th riglat or off side of them. The motor must not wilfully hinder the free passage of any class of vehicle, and must keep to the left or near side of the road.

Warning of approach must always be given when overtaking traffic. The motor must be stopped at the request of any policentan,or any person in charge of a horse. The eytinder cocks must not be opened within sight of any person riding, driving or leading a horse, and the safety valves must not blow off.

So long 48 the fires are alight or the motor contains sufficient power to move itself, a person must remaiil in attendance while the wagon is on the highway. '

A motor wagon must not travel over bridges where a prohibitory notice is affixed. If any axle weight exceeds six tons (i.e., a five-ton wagon), the motor or trailer must not cross over a bridge -whip another motor wagon or road loc.omptive is passing across. This does not apply to the Menai Bridite.cvinany bridge crossing the River Thames.

No smoke or visible vapour must be emitted except from temporary or accidental cause.

The driver is liable to the penalty ; the owner is exempt if he can prove that an offencewas committed without his knowledge. • .A good rule always to bear in mind is not to overload and to avoid running at excessive speeds. Care should also be exercised when loading a wagon to bear in mind the effectof the load on the axle weights. If the load has to be delivered in several parts at various places, arrange for it to be removed as evenly as possible, So as to give the rear axle its correct proportion of weight. . If the rear aiIe is robbed of its weight, the gripping power of the wheels for climbing hills iS reduced, and-alto the means for controlling the wagon when descending hilh.

A driver should be acquainted with the places where water can.be -picked up on the road, and if on a strange road it is wise not to run the water level too low in the tank. , When filling up, always put the end of th.e section hose in,a, bucket, to prevent gravel and mild being sucked up.. Ifth water is shallow, Work the water lifter slow/yeto keep the Water in the tank as cool as possible. Water from streams or ponds which are polluted by chemical, soap or .dye works

should never be used. Even clear water is not always good for a boiler. In such cases the use. of a boiler compound such as Boilerine is very useful. It softens. the water and prevents the formation of hard scale. flut the impurities are deposited int"the form of mud, and must always be washed out. The places where suitable fuel can be obtained ihould also be ascertained if possible. Many merchants issue lists of depots where fuel can be obtained.

When using a trailer the brake must be capable of being applied from the motor wagon, or a persoit must travel on the trailer to apply it. Care must be exercised when descending hills, especially ifothe. roads are greasy. It is dangerous to itravel with a loaded trailer behind an empty motor.

Starting Up and Shutting ,Down.

In order to get the best results with a minimun of effiirt, the shed work should be done in a methodical manner. When commencing the day's work, the first thing to be done is to cleamout the firebox and start the fire, taking care that there is sufficient water in the boiler.' While 'the steam is 'being raised(which will take about 40 minutes if the wagon was in use the previousMay, or about one hour-if the 'boiler is deadcold), get together necessary oil and stores, and fill up the coal bunker and water tank. Fill up all lubricators; clean, trim and fill lamps, and examine for any loose nuts or parts out of order. Do not use the steam blower until the gaugeshows about 40 lb. pressure, or the tubes will "'soon leak. When steam Is up to working pressure, sweep the tubes ; this best done now, because when a fire is first started it gives off a goad deal of smoke., and the tubes then • being cool, sootis quickly. deposited. Then pat away all•tools and -stores and ruin the engine slowly for a few minutes out of, gear with the cylinder drain cocks open. If the boiler is fitted with a superheater, open. the drain cock and blow all the moisture out of it before-commencing to run. When the steam issuing from the cock is invisible, it is,dry and ready for use.

c52 If everything appears to be in ;working order, load up and start away.

At the end Of a day's run the wagon sbiould always be placedunder cover if possible. If this is iMpossible, then cover up machine with waterproof sheet. The starting lever should be locked in shut position, with.the'reversing lever put in the middle totch. Open the cylinder drain cocks. With a superheater open the superheater drain cock and shut the stop valve between boiler and superheater. Do not diaw the fire, but let it die out gradually, to avoid leaky tubes, and see that the water is up to or a little higher than the working level. Close the ashpan damper and put a cover on top of the funnel. In frosty weather close the water cock on tank and drain all water out of pump and injector pipes, suction hose, etc. Examine working parts to see that everything is in order, and take all syphons out V lubricators. A good plan is to also sweep the tubes, for it prevents the soot getting baked on, and also assists raising steam the followingemorning.

Accidents and Breakdowns.

• Forewarned is forearmed, and a driver should know what to do in cases of emergency. If an accident occurs, it is sometimes possible to "limp home" with a makeshift " repair." The following is la list of possible accidents and the, methods of overcomingothene

WAQ•ON pITCVED.-Dig away the earth in front of the wheels in the ditch, put pieces of timber, faggots or stones in. front of the wheels, and then try to run the wagon out slowly in double high-pressure gear. It might also be necessary to remove some of the load.

DROPPED•FIJ SIBLE PLUG.—If possible, run the front wheels on high ground and dratv the fire. Blow off the steam'and let the boiler cool down. Fit new plug, refill boiler, and light fire. Then run home with reduced pressure and have-firebox overhauled, for it will most probably be leaking.

LOSING CONTROL.—Steer immediately across the road before the wagon gets away at any speed.

BROKEN ECCENTRIC ROD.-elf it is the forward rod, change over the backward rod and remove backward eccentric strap. Connect bottom of radius link with any convenient point, such as the cross plate, -with a piece of wire or very strong cord, as shown in Fig. 14. Ctntinue journey at reduced speed. If it is the backward rod, simply remove the rod and strap and connect as above.

BROKEN SPRINA—If the wheels do not clear the body, jack up and insert packing between axle box and. frame. . Continue journey at-reduced speed, SEIZED SHAFT OR BEARING.—Ouol it with water. If it still sticks when cold. take out the brasses and ease them. See that the lubricator is in werking order. •

BROKEN FRAME.—Procure a stout piece of timber and Armly lash it to the channel between the websif possible, as shown in Figs' 15. DISABLED ENGINE.--If any part gives out With either cylinder ,gear, such as"broken crosshead Pin; piston rod cotter, valve.spindle, etc., and it is impossible to effeet a temporary repair, proeced as follows : 'false out the slide valve and spindle, take off the eccentric straps and rods, and tie up the link motion. Remove the connecting rod and crosshead, or fix rod clear of Crankshaft, . and remove piston and rod, or put a wood block between piston and cylinder cover. Blank up the two gland stuffing boxes,if the rods are removed. .Then continue journey carefully on the remaining cylinder. It will be easier to do this if it is the high-pressure cylinder that is disabled.

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