Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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Wants to Know Makers, etc.
[1976] "ROLLER BEARING writes :—" We are very anxious to secure a number of lay outs of the most popular worm-drive as being used at the present time in order that we may lay out suggestions for the use of our high duty roller bushings which we are bringing out.
We would therefore very much appreciate it if you would put us in touch with makers and users of such drives, or if you have information regarding the same it would be much appreciated if you would send the same along to us."
ANSWER.—We do not think we can do better than refer you to those makers who arc interested in the use of the worm drive in connection with their products. Amongst these we may mention Argylls, Ltd., Clayton and Co., Ltd., Commercial Cars, Ltd., Dennis Bros., Ltd., Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., Leyland Motors, Ltd., Messrs. Sidney Straker and Squire, Ltd., and John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.
Would Like a Petroleum Carburetter.
[1977] " CuuDa " writes :—" We have an inquiry
for a carburetter using crude petroleum. This is required fenuse on a 60 h.p. tractor in the Colonies. We should be very much obliged if you could put us in touch with the makers of any such carburetters."
ANSWER.—We are not in a position to recommend to you with absolute certainty, as the result of experience, any make of paraffin carburetter. There are several types, however, which have secured success under certain conditions, and one or other of these may suit your requirements. You might in this connection write to Davis Paraffin Carburetters, Ltd., of Station Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey, and Paraffin Carburetters, Ltd., of Deritend, Birmingham. Messrs. John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., and Commercial Cars, Ltd., both fit satisfactory vaporizers to some of the machines which they send abroad. We also hear that the Stewart Precision Carburetter Co., Ltd., of 199, Piccadilly, W., will shortly place on the market a vaporizer which, by all accounts, is likely to give remarkable results. The G.C. vaporizer is also an apparatus which may interest you ; it can be used with very-heavy fuel.
Why Do My Crankshafts Break?
[1979] " TAXI " writes :—" I should be glad to have your advice on the following matter. We have in use
several 15 h.p. taxicabs, which up to recently have given very satisfactory results, but, strange to relate, within a month we have had three broken crankshafts. In each case the shaft has broken off short just behind the flywheel, which is in front of the engine in this type of car. In each case the cars were being driven under quite normal conditions when the shafts have broken. In one case the car was only travelling at the rate of five miles per hour, the driver having slowed down to turn a corner. I find that all three cars have done practically the same mileage, from 26,000 to 28,000 miles. " I may add these cars were supplied to us new, two in June and one in August, 1910. I have my own. idea as to the cause of the breakage, but should like to have your opinion, which will probably bear out my theory."
ANSWER.—The key to the situation would appear to he in the fact that the three crankshafts have all gone in the same place after approximately the same mileage. Similar occurrences are known to us in connection with other makes of chassis. They are probably due to fatigue, and this conclusion is confirmed by the remarkable similarity of lengths of service. If it had been possible to have annealed these shafts and to have ground them afterwards, if necessary, such failures would, in all probability, not have occurred. The possibility of such fractures is always accentuated by such circumstances as neglect regularly to adjust and refit the main bearings. neglect to take similar care with the big-end bearings, and neglect to see that the flywheel bolts have no semblance of shake.
A Comprehensive Inquiry.
[1979] " CALCUTTA " writes :—" Will you kindly send me plans and estimates of the cost of two motorengines and four lorries to run With these engines over a strong metalled road, for passenger service . Do you recommend solid tires or hollow ones?
"Two lorries will be required to run with these motor-engines or cars at one time, carrying a load of 200 maunds (over seven tons) or say 400 maunds for both. The motor-engine should accommodate two or three passengers. The lorries should be made as to contain 50 bags in lower berths, each bag containing 2 maunds 20 seers, and 48 passengers on the upper berths, on benches provided crosswise. The length and breadth of this lorry to be 19 ft. by 7 ft. or near it, but the height should be not so much as to cause tumbling down of the lorry whilst running. " The upper berths of the lorry should be screened from all sides with iron gratings to ensure the safety of the passengers occupying the seats therein. Shutters should also be nrovided of strong canvas or some other easily movable stuff. Special care should be taken to facilitate easy loading of this lorry, and proper footsteps for getting up to upper berths shou'd be provided. "I have now given you my idea about the working of this motor service for a length of 30 miles at the rate of not less than 20 miles per hour, and it will have to travel 120 miles daily, i.e., two trips each way," ANSWER.—We have passed on your inquiry to the undernoted British manufacturers :
Commercial Cars, Ltd., Cambridge Circus. London, NAT. c.
Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford, Surrey.
Leyland Motors, Ltd.. Leyland, Lanes. Sidney Straker and Squire, Ltd., Nelson Square, Blackfriars, London, S.E.
John T. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Caxton House, Westminster, London, S.W. We are also communicating with Aveling and Porter, Ltd., of Rochester, and William Fowler and Co., Ltd.. of Wellington Foundry, Lincoln. which companies build plant of the traction engine and trailer type. The inquiry is evidently for something in the nature of a sleeping car for use on the roads, but it is evideni that the total load will be very excessive for the speed mentioned. You ask too much.