Small Men Attacked In I.R.T.E. Smoke Report
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QMALL operators are attacked for their lack of vehicle maintenance in the final report, issued this week, of the :Vehicle Exhaust Study Group of the -Institute of Road Transport Engineers. Legislation against such cases which result in the emission of black smoke "might well be ,the only solution ", adds the report.
The group was formed in June, 1960, held 15 meetings, and issued interim reports in March and September, 1962. The final report, in effect, summarizes the main findings of the two earlier reports, adds some new ones, and rounds off the group's case.
In its first interim report the group said it had failed to find medical evidence that diesel exhaust smoke was a healthhazard; it was, however, unpleasant and a public nuisance. In the same report it was observed that tests carried out had revealed that smoke meters were not suitable for testing all diesel-engined vehicles to a standard density limit. In this week's report the group reiterates this view and adheres to its conclusion that a stipulated -power/weight ratio should form the basis of any legislation designed to prevent the emission of diesel fumes. Such a provision would postpone the onset of visible smoke in overworked engines and relieve the problem of the slow-moving, smoking vehicle which was underpowered or had mismatched engine/transmission characteristics.
However, stresses the group, it does not condemn the use of smoke meters as such; they are a deterrent, provided they are based on a limit which takes volume of exhaust emission into consideration.
It is not thought that fuel additives provide a solution to the exhaust smoke problem although they are effective in certain circumstances.
Apart from bad maintenance, two factors have been considered by the group in some detail, it says. These are fuel-injection equipment, with special reference to service replacement units, and the economic pressures which create a narrow margin between satisfactory engine performance and the onset of visible smoke.
Lack of maintenance and regular attention are major contributory factors. Large fleets are usually operated respon;ibily entailing regular inspection and ;cheduled maintenance. In all too nany of the smaller fleets such attention s often lacking. in firms that do not mjoy the supervision of a transport mgineer, vehicle maintenance may be rirtually non-existent. This Group believes that vehicles are often driven 'into the ground ', with little or no thought for their roadworthiness, much less their proneness to emit dark smoke. Against such cases as these, legislation might well be the only solution, for it would appear that these offenders are beyond ordinary persuasion.
" Yet there is much that even the oneman operator can do for himself. If he were to do no more than adhere to the vehicle manufacturer's normal maintenance schedule, this would look after the whole vehicle and a great deal of the problem of dark smoke emission would be overcome."
There can be contributory factors other than fuel injection equipment. These can range from a choked air filter to an engine neglected to the point where complete overhaul is necessary. Between these extremes are such factors as incorrectly adjusted tappets, burnt or worn valves or seats, worn timing gears or pump couplings, and (in the case of pneumatically governed engines) badly adjusted venturi butterfly; 'atmospheric breather and the condition of the diaphragm.
In its previous reports the group had recommended the setting up of a national panel representing all organizations. In the final report it states that it " finds it almost incredible that no trade association exists in Great Britain comparable to the Association of Diesel Specialists in the United States of America ".