Answers to Queries.
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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 advertio anent
columns are open to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the Purposes of trade.
Tires for the Undeveloped East.
[2111] "EXPORT MERCHANTS " write : " We should be much obliged if you would let us know at your early convenience what is the best make of grooved, block, or sectional-solid rubber tire, for use in heavy commercial-vehicle work on rough roads in the East. You have kindly advised us on matters connected with the locality previously. In the dry season the roads are deep in sand and stone, and in the wet in mud. Our friends have much difficulty in getting their vehicles through the rough places, with the plain tires which they have fitted. They consider -some form of block or similar tire essential. Ease of detachment is also a desirable factor."
AeTswim.—We fear that the road conditions which you mention will be extremely severe on any class of rubber tire. You might, however, try the " K.T.," of the strongest pattern, by the Commercial Tyre Co. Ltd., 534, Old Kent Road, S.E., or one of the sectional tires from the North British Rubber Co., Ltd., of Edinburgh. Messrs. S. Stevenson and Co., of 59, Logan Street, Glasgow, also have some special tires to meet this requirement. At the exhibition at the City Hall, Manchester, which is now open, you might he able to examine some of the tire exhibits yourselves.
The Satisfactory Mileage Recorder.
[2112] "ErnopA" write :----" Notwithstanding our inquiries at different sources, we have not yet been able to find a satisfactory make of mileage recorders specially for use on motorve,ns. The recorders which fix on the hub soon get damaged, because the position there is not favourable. When the wheels touch walls, doors, etc., the instruments are touched also, .and are very often made defective. The systems with a flexible drive, which we have used, are too weak to give satisfaction, and are at most times defective, so that we have had to take same off again. " We have a fleet of over 24 motorvans for our own business, for which we should like to have a good mileage recorder, whilst we are also interested in such instruments for our sales to the motorcar trade. We therefore apply to you, requesting you kindly to let us know, if possible, the names and addresses of English makers of such recorders, so that we can give these instruments a trial."
Aerswan.—We are sorry to hear of the trouble which you have experienced with mileage recorders. For our own part, we hear satisfactory reports from users in regard to the under-mentioned makers. Of course, there naust always be a certain percentage of breakages, and certain outgo on keep, with any make of recorder, as there is with any working part of any commercial motor whatsoever.
Bruhn's Taxarneter Co., Ltd., Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C.
Markt and Co. (London), Ltd., 100. Clerkenwell Road, London, E. C.
A.T. Speedometer Co., Ltd., 140, Long Acre, 'London, W.C.
S. Smith and Sons Ltd., 9, Strand, London, W. C.
Premier Speedometer, Ltd.,' 44, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, London, W.C.
Elliott Bros., Ltd., Central Buildings, Westminster, S.W.
Cooper-Stewart Engineering Co., Ltd., 11, Broad Street, Bloomsbury, London, W.C.
An "Omnibus" Query.
/2113] " Bunny " writes:–" From a country town surrounded with hamlets (manufacturing district), the combined population being about 20,000, it is proposed to run a motorbus service. The bulk of the hamlets and the town occur in a circle with a circumference of six miles ; the remainder, from one to four miles outside that circle.
" It is thought that two buses and a spare would pay for conveying passengers to and from the shopping town and the rural district, also for conveying workmen living in one district to their work in another, and as a parcels service. There is also scope for half-holiday excursions. " What is the usual cost per mile for such work? Gradients are not very frequent, but there are some 1 in 10. The chief difficulty is raising capital for new machines.
" Do you know of any successful similar services with second-hand vehicles, and what are the best types to look out for ? The L.G.O.C. had some De Dions for sale : are there any still to be had? I believe these were good, but, if it were possible to purchase some second-hand of their new light type with chain gearboxes, these should prove successful. " 1)o you think the char-abancs body with large seating accommodation suitable, or the single-decker bus? The double-decker I think unsuitable, by reason of its relative instability. The necessary h.p. for conveying passengers up 1 in 10 should, I presume, be about 1 h.p. per passenger. Is that about correct? " Do you know of any instances of powerful touring chassis of good make being successfully used for such a purpose? Of course, pneumatics would have in such a case to be changed for solids or K.T. tires ; then comes the axle question as to strength, unless a stout, chain drive ; even in that case, the wheels and axle stumps would be light. " There is so much to avoid in trying to set up such a service on economical outlay, that any hints you can give will be greatly appreciated. I may say I am not a novice, but feel unequal to this problem without wide inquiry and careful thought, and I do not know any reliable source of information at the moment but to write to you." ANSWER.---We strongly deprecate the purchase of second-hand vehicles at any time, and London types are seldom suitable for use in the Provinces. There are, of coarse, exceptions, provided the vehicles are neither overloaded nor over-driven, and that the roads are in good condition. You should reckon the working expenses for such a service at about lOid. per mile of running, say 60 miles per day, per vehicle, and you and your friends must be the judges of the possibility of earning a higher revenue. There are some De Dion chassis still to be had, but we doubt if any chassis are available with the chain-drive gearbox from the L.G.0.0. Without particular local knowledge, we cannot advise you as to the best type of body. There is undoubtedly traffic in some quarters to suit the ordinary single-decker and the open char-i-bancs. Any number of these vehicles climb gradients of 1 in 10, and stieper, and :10 h.p. is enough power for ordinary districts. There are numerous chassis which are successfully used for this work, but it is most inexpedient to buy a private-ear chassis, and to convert it, as you suggest. The car should be designed from the start for commercial use. A double-deeker is quite safe on country roads.