Opinions from Others.
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only, and type-written by preference. The right qf erdweriation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views expressed is accepted.
Agricultural Motors on Hire.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL Moron."
094] Sir,—As the crops are now ripening rapidly, and harvesting generally will commence all over England early next month, we should like to draw the attention of landowners to the fact that the feel Company is prepared to let out on hire a number of its 20 h.p. motors. Knowing that it is important to farmers to get their crops cut quickly, we feel sure they will avail themselves of this offer ; at the same time, they will be able to see and compare the latest method of harvesting by motor with their older system. The Ivel Motor was placed on the market some seven years ago, so that now it is quite out. of its experimental stage, and absolutely reliable. The motor is capable of hauling two binders on large fields, and can cut about 35 acres in a day. By having two drivers, the machine could be kept going through the night, and the day's work would then be considerably increased.—Yours faithfully, For THE IVEL AGRICULTURAL MOTORS, LTD., A. HOFFMANN, Manager. 45, Great Marlborough Street, W.
Users' Experiences (No. XXIII)
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
[995] Sir,—It has been suggested to me, in certain quarters which I need hardly mention, that, whilst I have inflicted upon a sorrowing public an account of most of the petty annoyances of a motor-wagon carrier's existence, I have been careful to omit mention of the greatest trial that darkens the homes of most who engage in our business. I refer to the irregularity of our working hours, and the consequent unpunctuality at the family board. I have heard it estimated by an authority whom I do not care to contradict that more good food is wasted from this cause than could be paid for by the profits which accrue from the business, and, although the fact cannot be logically explained, it is none the less accepted as an axiom in most households connected with motor-wagon carrying. There are two reasons why the subject should be mentioned in a user's experiences the first is that undoubtedly it is a factor to be reckoned with in his daily life, and some tribute is undoubtedly due to the women, who are patiently contributing their share towards the ultimate success of the movement ; the second is that the angry housewife, who scolds her husband for his unpunctuality, is unconsciously pointing out to him the weakest spot in his business—the lack of regularity and system.
As I pointed out last week, a large proportion of delays is due to external causes, and a material improvement will come as soon as the public who use motor transport recognize that they must contribute their share of consideration to the subject if they lvish to obtain the best results. A man will not expect to keep a cab waiting for an liour without making due payment for the same, and. should the cabman state that he could not afford to wait, would set about bringing the delay to a speedy end ; yet the same customer would not think twice about keeping a motor-wagon and trailer standing for twice that length of time without. any idea of compensation whatever. This is a subject I have mentioned more than once without receiving any apparent solution to the difficulty, and it almost looks as if a test case would have to be fought before any satisfaction is obtained. A further point which the public require to keep in mind is that they cannot hope to obtain the hest service from a system they only employ in times of stress if a man wishes to retain
the use of motor wagons to meet his urgent requirements, lie should in fairness keep it employed to a certain extent in the intervals with his ordinary traffic.
Turning to the internal causes of irregularity in a motor carrier's business, a great deal may be done to improve the regularity of the work by keeping careful account of the repairs which become necessary to his wagons, and by arranging these accounts in such a way as will enable him to gauge the approximate life of the different parts of his machines. It has been my practice for some time to keep a careful record of each wagon's work, including the mileage run, earning, total expenses, and profit and loss, together with an analysis of repairs, which indicates not only the weak points of the machine, hut also of the driver. This account is also a cheek upon the amount of work which is being set the driver, and is an effective answer to any grumbles that may arise.
have had reason to note two rather serious breakdowns on the road recently, and, from experience of the road on which they occurred, 1 believe in both cases the state of the road is largely responsible for the mishaps, though it is a case in which the owner of the machines can hope for no redres.s. I do not wish to add to what I have already said on the subject of the condition of our roads, for I believe that with your appointment. Sir, to the Central Committee for Road Statistics, brighter days may he in store for the road users. ft is interesting to note the appointment of further inspectors by the Lancashire County Council for checking axle-weights of motor vehicles; the public, however, would be more interested to learn when inspectors will be appointed to prevent overcrowding in tramcars, as well as others to note the speed at which they travel. We motor-wagon owners are really receiving more than our fair share of official recognition just at present, and feel that it is only fit and proper to call attention to the fact, before the ratepayers begin to object.
Our log-sheet for the week is as follows : earnings, £66; tonnage, 167; mileage, 974; percentage of work done, 95 coke used, 9 tons; oil (gear), 10 gallons ; and oil (cylinder), 5 gallons.—Yours, etc.. " MOTOP.-NTAGON CARRIER."
The Absorption of Impact Shocks.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
"998] Sir, In the able and interesting article upon the su(ject of " Users' Experiences," which appears in your issue of the 1st inst. over the signature " Motor-wagon Carrier," the writer expresses the opinion that " the urgent problem of the moment is to reduce vibration, either by the application of rubber tires or some other cushioning effect introduced between the machine and the road," and proceeds to say, " I feel that this matter of vibration, which also means noise, is one which is not only costing us money directly, but that it also has a damaging effect upon the judgment which the general public pass upon our system."
As T. venture to think that both users and the general Public will entirely endorse these views, I should be glad through the medium of your valuable paper to inform " Motor-wagon Carrier " that the needful remedy is to be found in Smith's flexible hubs, which provide the " cushioning effect " necessary to relieve vibration, and which have been in successful operation for sonietime etc.,
on
companies' and tradesmen's deliveryvans, companies' and tradesmen's deliveryvans,
as I shall be happy to demonstrate to him at any time
he may desire.—Yours faithfully, For SMITH'S FT.EXIBLE HUB, LTD., W. C. GOULD, Secretary.
21). Copthall Avenue. London, E.C.