OPINIONS and QUERIES
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Lack of Uniformity in Enforcing Guard-rail Regulations. The Value of Our Tables of Opera ting Costs An Easy Method of Recording Tonnage Cost. A Long-distance Haulage Contract. A Faulty Vehicle Sold
Guard-rails for Passenger Vehicles.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4224] Sir,—In answer to the inquiry from R. W. Cox in your issue dated December 8, there .are definite regu.lations for guard-rails for public-service vehicles.
These rails must be fitted if there be a clear, space of more than 2 ft between the wheels. Rails must not exceed 9 ins, above the ground; they must come to within 6 ins, of the front and rear tyres ; they must be in line with the centres of the tracks of the front tyres and with the outside walls of the rear tyres.
These regulations are strictly enforced in the north, but there is lack of uniformity in the south, as can be seen by observing vehicles from various districts. This difference was also noticeable at the Commercial Motor Show held last month.
I would suggest that if R. W. Cox is in any doubt he should consult the Commissioners' examiner for his area, who would, no doubt, be pleased to make the rules clear to him. G. W. KEENLYSIDE. Darlington. .
The "C.M." Tables of Operating Costs.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR,
[499.5] Sir,—Many thanks for your prompt and extremely satisfactory reply to my request for information in regard to costings of motor vehicles. It would indeed be difficult to imagine a more comprehensive booklet than your Tables of Operating Costs.
Wolverhampton. T. F. BELLAMY.
A Case Where Only Tonnage Cost is Considered.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR,
[4226] Sir,—I shall be glad if you will send me three copies of your Tables of Operating Costs.
At the same time perhaps you could suggest a sound, easy method of keeping records of lorries doing only tonnage, without taking into consideration mileage. My business is tonnage only on short journeys, and I am not seriously concerned with the mileage, which does not average more than six to eight per journey. I want a quick way of keeping the tonnage and costs of lorries without going into anything too elaborate.
Southall. W. T. WHITEHOUSE. [The first essential is to keep accurate records of cost and to that end you should obtain an analysis sheet ruled to cover the 10 items enumerated in the Tables of
Operating Costs, splitting that of maintenance into four, one for repairs materials, one for repairs labour, and one for general maintenance labour, and the fourth for general maintenance materials. The item wages, too, may also need to be divided to cover the various classes of insurance necessary in connection with employees. There must also be a column for mileage, one for 'the vehicle, one for the date and, at the end, one for cost per mile. Each vehicle must have its own analysis sheet, which should be made up once per week. Sepa; rately, you should make a record of the tonnage carried by each vehicle per day. If you then set the total tonnage against the total cost you will have the figures you require for cost per ton.—S.T.R.]
Carrying Cycles from Birmingham.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4227] Sir,—We are shortly commencing road transport work, but are uncertain how to fix a scale for charging.
Our intention is to deliver motorcycles or bicycles from Birmingham district, using a. 2-ton lorry.
We would be grateful if you could suggest a suitable type of vehicle for this class of goods, and any other advice concerning this matter would be greatly appre ciated. BICYCLES. Scarborough.
[A vehicle specially designed for the conveyance of cycles and motorcycles was exhibited on the stand of the Longframe Six-wheeler Construction Co., at Olympia. The chassis was a CoTrimer, and no doubt if you apply to Commer Cars, Ltd., Luton, they will let you have particulars and, presumably, quote you a price. The rates you should charge will depend upon the amount of work you get, but you can calculate them if you take as a basis for your calculations 3s. 10d. per hour, plus 3d. per mile. Calculate what that is in respect of the journeys for which you quote and in quoting give the total figure, without necessarily divulging the method of calculation.—S.T.R.] The Sale of a Faulty Vehicle, The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4228] Sir,—Six months ago I purchased a 30-ewt lorry, guaranteed to be in perfect order and having had only three weeks' work after being rebored and new bearings fitted throughout. After a few days' work water was getting into the cylinders and smoke issuing from the radiator. I took the lorry back and complained that the head must be cracked, but the sellers would not agree and said it was faulty packing. After fitting a new packing the same trouble occurred.
Being rather handy with engines, I took off the sump 1329 and head, and found tierce distinct cracks in the head, whilst the pistons were so slack in the cylinders that a visiting card would almost go in. Ori looking more closely into matters I ,found from the registration book that the lorry has been run for seven months after reboring.
I have no written statement regarding the three weeks' work, but four witnesses to prove it. The sellers do not seem inclined to fit a new head, so I am wondering if I 'can make them. It is two months since I complained, as the lorry was out and I could not take it down before to prove my case. OLD READER. Mablethorpe.
[Subject to certain exceptions to the Sales of Goods Act, 1893, there is no implied warranty or condition as to the quality or fitness for any particular purpose of goods supplied under a contract for sale. The legal maxim " Caveat Emptor " (let the buyer beware) may well be applicable in your case and, consequently, we doubt if a successful action could be brought against the proposed defendants unless they be dealers in new and / or secondhand vehicles or are otherwise engaged in this trade. If the vendors are dealers of this description and you expressly or by implication made known to them the particular purpose for which the lorry was required so as to show that you relied on their skill and judgment, there is an implied condition that the lorry at the time of sale was reasonably fit for such purpose, and on this ground you would probably succeed and particularly if, as you state, "the lorry was guaranteed to be in perfect order." In this event we suggest that you approacn a solicitor with a view to bringing an action against them. In any event, it is probable that the37 would be prepared to come to some favourable terms with you regarding the repair or proper overhaul of your lorry if they saw that you were determined, to commence legal proceedings against them, as, apparently, you have been misled by them to some considerable extent. —EDT Weight Limits for Commercial Vehicles.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[4229] Sir,—Will you kindly give me some information regarding the weight limits of commercial vehicles (expressed in tons) which are in operation in your country? JORGEN WIBERG. Copenhagen.
[Weight limits for commercial vehicles in this country are as follow :—Vehiele with four wheels, maximum axle weight 8 tons.. Vehicle with more than four wheels, 71 tons. Total weight of four-wheeler, 12 tons. Total weight of six-wheeler, 19 tons. Total weight with more than six wheels, 22 tons. Total weight of motor tractor or heavy motorcar drawing trailer, 22 tons. Trailer axle weight, 6/ tons. Two-wheeled trailer forming part of articulated six-wheeler, trailer axle, 8 tons. Articulated vehicle, all on pneumatics, total weight, 19 tons. The unladen weight of commercial vehicles must not exceed the following :—(a) No more than four wheels, 71 tons ; (b) with six. wheels, 10 tons; (c) more than six wheels, 11 tons.—En.]