Vehicle Design and Public Cleansing
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Some Pointers from an Interesting Paper Read at the Recent Roads and Transport Congress
Oo the concluding day of the Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition, recently held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London, N., an interesting paper, entitled "Vehicle Design in Relation to Public Cleansing," was read by Mr. J. E. Swindlehurst, MA., A.M.Inst.C.E., borough engineer of Hampstead.
At the outset he expressed the view that it was customary to regard the activities of the public-cleansing service as being confined entirely to the reflection and disposal of house and trade refuse. This is incorrect, for two other equally important branches of cleansing work, namely, highway scavenging and the cleansing of gullies, cesspools, etc., fall within the scope of this essential service. From this observation one may gather that the author divided his paper into three sections.
In the first, dealing with house and trade refuse collection, he made a passing reference to the early types of vehicle. employed, and then proceeded to deal with the lines of
development. The first step, he said, was to reduce the 'loading-line height, this being achieved by redesigning the chassis and by using wheels of smaller diameter. Furthervore, the steering lock was increased and greater flexibility of operation thereby obtained.
He went on to discuss the early arrangements for enclosing the body by the use of sectional canvas covers hung from a central ridge pole and, subsequently, made reference to the different other methods that have been tried. In this connection the various types of -permanent cover used were briefly referred to, including the hand-operated slatted pattern ad the sheet-metal kind controlled by hand or foot and balanced so that they return to their " shut" position when pressure is removed from the operating mechaniam. The features of each and the merits of some were dealt with, and the author added that for a time it appeared that a satisfactory form had been evolved and that standardization of principle was in sight. But refuse was tending to become lighter and bulkier and this resulted in variations of the original type making their appearance.
This led the author lo a brief review of refuse collectors of the van type and in a reference to those loaded at the sides be said they involved the trimming, at intervals, of the load, so that the advantages were offset by diverting the loaders from their normal work. He next discussed the same type of vehicle arranged for end loading, but thought the fact that the loaders had to enter the dust-laden atmosphere of the interior to discharge their bins over a movable barrier militated against their more widespread adoption.
Mr. Swindlehurst then went on to deal with more recent developments and referred to the end-loading van-type collector equipped with a moving floor. This design, in his opinion, appears to offer many advantages and, if the performance in practice approximates to its theoretical capabilities, it seems that a new era may be opening up. The fact that the load can be 'discharged without the need for elevating the body permits the headroom when entering destructor premises and depots to be reduced.
Points which, in the author's opinion, should form the
basis of design for vehicles engaged an refuse-collection work next came under notice. Following a few general observations, such as the class of refuse dealt with, topographical conditions of the di-strict, the facilities at the discharge Paint, etc., he dealt with other aspects of the subject under distinct headings.
So far as the chassis is concerned, it is essential ,that it should be of robust construction and economical to operate. The vehicle must be easy to manceuvre and have a turning circle permitting its use in heavily trafficked thoroughfares or in 1141111PW side streets.
Mr. Swindlehurst submitted that a 3-ton machine is probably the most economical to operate under the conditions which generally obtain throughout the country.
The next part of his paper referred to highways cleansing. In order that the improvements made in recent years could be more readily appreciated, he gave a short resume of past practice. The standard of cleanliness demanded to-day necessitates the employment of mechanical aids to assist the hand sweeping. There are two types available, one being the vehicle which sweeps the carriageway and directs the refuse into the channel, from whence it is picked up by the sweeper, and the other that which not only sweeps but also picks up the refuse. The author directed attention to certain aspects of design that may, perhaps, bear improvement. Amongst these was that efficient water-sprinkling apparatus must be provided to reduce the dust nuisance, although the volume of water passing through the jets need not be great, nor is there any occasion for pressure, as distinct from gravity feed, whilst it should be possible to regulate the pressure exerted by the brush so that varying road eanditions may be adequately dealt with. In the matter of brush design, he thought that the shape might receive further consideration. So far as the purely mechanical details are concerned, Mr: Swindlehurst thought that there was ample scope for research into the best method of securing protection of all moving parts, particularly those in close proximity to the dust swept up. His next subject was that of street washing and, in this connection, he dealt with the methods in vogue. He referred briefly to the questions of tank size, tank design, spraying heads, pressure jets, pump design, ete. The final section covered the subject of gaily cleansing, and in his opening paragraph the author said that the practice in the past would not be tolerated to-day in large centres of population. In the main, his survey related to details of equipment rather than to the vehicle as a whole. In summing up, the author said that more attention might be.devoted to the production of machines of smaller capacity.
In conclusion, Mr. Swindlehurst said that it was difficult to believe that all the types of vehicle and modifications of the same type that are available at the present time are necessary or even desirable, and he hinted that the time has come for a greater measure of standardization, with a cm:mesa-lent saving not only in first cost, but in the matter of maintenance.