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letters

We welcome letters for publication on transport topics. Address them to Commercial Motor, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LU

Take a test

I was rather surprised at the tone of the letter (CM September 7) headed "Bring us back-. What does Mr Templeton want' Charity?

I also drove all types of vehicles, including tanks in the Forces although some people might say that this was not a recommendation. Owing to the nature of my work I was not driving at all during the qualifying period. It was useless crying about it so I applied for a test and with a bit of swotting plus two hours' tuition sat and passed the Class 3 hgv test first time.

Nine months later I sat and passed Class I hgv test — again at first try — and this with an hour's tuition after not handling an artic for over two years. As your correspondent says, the idea was to improve the standard of driving. He comments on some of the shocking driving he has seen. If he thinks he is a good driver he has nothing to fear from the test; and he must have taken a psv test and passed. My advice is, if the job is worth it to take some time and money and sit the test. If he can pass he will have covered his costs in a few weeks from better wages.

To end, I still do not drive for a living although I manage about 10 hours on Class 1 vehicles a fortnight just to keep my hand in. I do think that the standards are improving: there is elan in owning a Class 1 hgv licence— the Class 1 driver is at last being recognized as the craftsman he really is and not before time.

This will show in the better wages and conditions he will be able to command as the employers realize that skilled drivers improve profits.

F. P. MEE, Roseworth, Stockton-on-Tees.

British Leyland in Europe

In introducing its new range of lorries British Leyland advertising makes much of taking -the initiative in Europe" whereas it is common knowledge that it is really making a belated and desperate attempt to catch up with the Continental makes. I find it rather pathetic that the large British corporation has to use proprietary makes of engines (Rolls-Royce and Cummins) for certain applications whereas Volvo, Scania, DAF, Fiat and Mercedes are well able to produce for their own requirements and are in some cases already making cooperative arrangements with one another. However, surely the most ludicrous step by British Leyland is naming the new range "Marathonafter its use by a Dutch manufacturer for some of its cars. In fact it's plain DAFt I D. J. SMITH, Sapcote, Leics.

Hub seal

A self-lubricating oil hub seal designed for trailer hubs will be marketed in the UK by Jonas Woodhead IRSR Division) Ltd, appointed UK distributors for the seal by Stemco Manufacturing Company Inc of Longview, Texas.

It is claimed that a Stemco hub seal will operate efficiently for up to 250,000 miles compared with a grease-lubricated version which is said to have an average working life of 100,000 miles. Unlike the conventional grease seal, the Stemco counterpart is dustresistant and impervious to oil additives by virtue of a leather lip impregnated with proprietary elastomers. Complete lip flexibility can be achieved in extreme temperatures ranging from —45degC to +125degC. This compares favourably with the conventional rubber grease seals which have a limited temperature range and are adversely affected by certain oil additives.

The Stemco seal has a protective sleeve made from coldrolled mild steel which can be easily replaced. Oil flows freely inside the hub, coating the various components with an anticorrosive film and penetrating the clearance between the bearing cone and spindle. This enables the cone to creep, ensuring evenly distributed bearing wear and prolonging bearing life.

Fleet operators have reported seal and bearing life cycles in excess of 250.000 miles.

Any brand of oil can be used with the Stemco seal unit which is fitted by pressing the seal firmly into the centre of the hub. A transparent window in the seal cap enables the oil level to be checked at a glance without removing the wheel. In conjunction with Garlock {Great Britain) Ltd, of Newbury, Berkshire, Jonas Woodhead will carry stocks at 34 depots within an existing distribution network, including complete seal replacement kits for the majority of UK and European built trailers. Marketed by: Jonas Woodhead (RSR Division) Ltd, Manchester.

Bonded panels

Following experimental bonding of steel and aluminium sheets to 0.75in. and 1in. plywood panels, Phoenix Plastics has gone into production with this type of bonding. And applications have spread from panels for containers to panels for commercial vehicle bodies.

Limitations imposed by obtainable widths of sheet metal and lengths of plywood have been overcome. To comply with manufacturers standard sizes suitable methods of jointing both materials have been evolved together with difficulties in providing a high standard of finish and the necessary stress characteristics. Made by: Phoenix Plastics Ltd, Parish Street, Grangemouth.

Plug maintenance chart

An attractive full-colour broad sheet designed to help mechanics recognize engine faults by spark plug appearance has been released by AC-Delco.

Twelve close-ups of plugs which have become oiled, sooted, and so on are shown together with a brief description of engine symptoms giving rise to the particular conditions.

Another section of the broadsheet deals with correct plug servicing. Illustrations showing correct methods of plug removal, cleaning, adjustment and installation are given.

Copies from: AC-Delco Division of General Motors Ltd, Stag Lane, Kingsbury, London NW9 OE H .

Sander

The Marron BR9 random orbit electric sander is portable, and, claims the company, incorporates the best features of disc and orbital operation. It's sanding pad is mounted on an eccentric cam to provide a rotary /elliptical movement in a random nonrepetitive pattern. Stock removal is comparable to that of a disc sander, says the company. A special 6in-diameter sanding pad has been designed for use with the sander to maintain the tool's balance. The sander is used flat on the work surface and the abrasive discs are self cleaning.

The sander is double-insulated and measures 9.5in.-long by 4.5in.-overall and weighs 41b. A side-handle for left or right hand operation is supplied for single or two-handed operation. Made by: Marron Machines Ltd, 37-38 Queensbury Station Parade, Edgware, Middx.

Loctite wallchart

To help mechanics select the appropriate grade of Superfast Loctite adhesive for a particular job. Loctite has produced a descriptive wall chart.

The chart, which is free, covers thread-locking, retaining, sealing and bonding and gives a brief technical run-down and typical uses of each adhesive. Available from: Publicity Department, Douglas Kane Group Ltd, Swallowfields. Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 1JB.

Graffiti remover

Intended for the removal of biro, and felt-tip pen marks, chewing gum and spraypaint from a variety of surfaces a solution has been introduced by Talbot Chemicals which is sold under the name of Vandal and is available in 16oz aerosol cans or 5gal drums. It can be used on most surfaces but spot tests are recommended.

Treatment involves spraying or swabbing the area with Vandal and then wiping with a clean cloth a few seconds after the application.

Suggested uses for Venda include the removal of graffit marks from the interior of buse: and other public transpor. vehicles.

Vandal can also be used tc remove biro, fibre-tip pen mark: and chewing gum from nylor cloth overalls and °the' materials.

Where marks have been mad( on vinyl or porous surfaces such as brickwork, porous walls an( so on a second product, knowr as Vandal B, is available.

Made by: Talbot Chemicals Ltd Commercial Road, Grantham Lincs.