Let the Operator Advise the Maker
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Further Personal Contributions From Fleet Engineers and Transport Managers
Co-operation Between Pencil and Spanner
By H. W. Oakley, A.M.I.Mech.E. (Currie and Co. (Newcastle)„ Ltd.) LET•the operator advise the maker, and the maker consuit the operator. There is no doubt that the British manufacturer produces machines second to none, but the best is far from 100 per cent. efficient. Designers are generally looked upon as sdperio. persons and can be approached only by knocking at the private door and waiting—sometimes in vain. tHow many designers spend time on the road with " Joe Heavy," who is a good driver but not an expert mechanic? Better co-operation between the pencil. and the spanner is very necessary.
Manufacturers receive reports from their service engineers who visit operators, but if the criticisms be adverse the reports are generally laid on the table until such time as an accumulation compels attention. There is no reason-whatever why operators should not be informed when an inherent defect comes to light, and when a serious defect develops, so that extra precautions can be taken. There is, too, much secrecy inside the factories' four walls, and a few of the 10 or more " thou shalt riots " could be erased by one or two " thou shalts " from the operator.
Standardization of some parts is necessary on similar types of vehicle, i.e., hub studs and nuts, ignition sets, switchboxes., etc. Accessibility leaves much to be desired, and in,this respect one has to listen only to a fitter extracting split pins. Have manufacturers gone farther into the question of self-lubricating bushes?
Operators very naturally expect a good vehicle at a . reasonable price. They are entitled to efficient service, the cost of which is taken into account when purchase prices are fixed. Owners, however, are very annoyed when, after paying Is. per pound for apples, they find one or two bad.
If correspohdence which is appearing in " The Commercial Motor:" is acted upon by " the powers that be " the results will undoubtedly' be mutually beneficial,'