Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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Shall He Buy Petrol on a Forward Contract ?
[2622] (London).—We are of opinion that any buyers of petrol will do well to make contracts at present prices, certainly for the period of the war.
A Supply of Cost Sheets.
[2623] Mealer).—We have had pleasure in mailing three dozen of the cost sheets. There is no charge for these, but we should appreciate a small donation to our Campaign Comforts Fund by way of acknowledgment.
Date of the Manchester Show?
[2624] (Bristol).—The Manchester Show was abandoned. We announced this in our issue of the 25th February (page 477). As a matter of fact, there was not sufficient support from British manufacturers, and the promoters decided not to hold it only for the benefit of America.
Petrol Or Steam ?
[2625] (Quarries).—Our free sheet of working costs (mailed) may help you. The actual mileage per week affects the cost per mile run, but you can no doubt make your own calculations in respect of fixed outgoings such as driver's wages, proportion of rent and rates, incidence of insurance and interest. You will get earlier delivery of a steam lorry. We shall be happy to answer any further questions.
Licences for Motor Chars-,a-Bancs•
[2626] (Kent).—Application to the town clerks or clerks of the respective local authorities is the first move. You will require to inform them that your vehicles comply with the Heavy Motor Car Order, state the makes of the chassis, the number of seats in each, and the class of overhead protection. You should at the same time ask them to furnish you with any forms which they issue for the purpose of application.
To Carry 7i Tons and to Haul' Another 1i Tons on a Trailer; the Three-axle Design.
[2627] (Timber).—Further in reply to your query (No. 2608) re hauling 7. tons on a trailer, there is one way out of the difficulty which we have not yet mentioned: it is, the possibility of using a three-axle trailer. So long as the joint weight of the power unit (steam wagon) and trailer does not exceed 61 tons unladen, there is no definite restriction under the Heavy Motor Car Order to the number of axles upon the trailer, but only a regulation that no axle-weight may exceed four tons gross. You might get some help in the matter from Barford and Perkins, Ltd., of Peterborough, who make a three-axle trailer, to the specification of Colonel Crompton.
Official Instructions to Would-be A.S•C•, M•T•, Drivers.
[2628] (In Answer to a Typical Inquiry).—Applicants for enlistment into the Mechanical Transport Army Service Corps should apply in person at the Central London Recruiting Office, Great Scotland Yard, Whitehall, S.W., bringing original references testifying to their ability as petrol motor-drivers or mechanics.
Failing a personal call they should make their application in writing enclosing references for scrutiny. With regard to the particular case you mention, as the man is apparently a capable engineer, his short experience as a driver may be sufficiently compensated for by that fact to render his acceptance possible. Perhaps you will kindly advise him to take the necessary action as stated above with a view to his enlistment.
016 Concerning Torque Rods.
[2629] (U.S.A.).—There is considerable discussion in this country also as to the relative merits of the torque rod and the springs for transmitting the driving torque to the frame, and opinions still differ. The more general practice is to utilize a torque rod, but the London General Omnibus Co. and the Daimler Co., amongst others, utilize the springs.
Buying on the Hire-purchase System.
[2630] (Co. Down).---You will have difficulty in buying a motor lorry just now on the hire-purchase system. You might, however, inquire of any of the representative advertisers in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, but you will probably have to carry out the arrangements through a company such as the Motor Hire Purchase Syndicate, Ltd., 75, Crouch Street, Colchester, or the British Railway Traffic and Electric Co., Ltd., 15, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. .
Licences for Steam-wagon Mates.
[2631] (Wagoner).—Our view is that, if the second man ever handles the steering wheel, he should have a licence. When a man handles the steering wheel he controls the direction of the vehicle, whilst the man who handles the main stop valve controls its motion. Hence, it is safer to pay 5s. a year for the steersman, subject to the condition which we have mentioned. This is a personal opinion, but it has been carefully thought out. Where the second man never touches the steering wheel, he is obviously not required to have a licence, unless a claim is made that he is sometimes left in charge. The point, of course, is arguable in regard to a man who does sometimes steer, and the point has never yet been settled by a court in such a way as to constitute a, legal precedent. We wrote more fully on the subject in our issue of the 18th March (na,ge 41 ante).