Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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Remunerative Charges for Carriers.
[2046] " SCOTTISH CARRIER " writes I should be
obliged if you would kindly give me your idea as to what you consider a fair rate of charges per ton-mile in hiring out a two-ton vehicle for country work, from five to twenty-five miles, return journeys empty, as have had a dispute with a client about same." ANSWER.—There is practically no profit in running a two-ton petrol vehicle unless you see a minimum return by way of revenue of 10d. per mile run. Loaded one way, therefore, you must charge 10d. per ton-mile, if you carry two tons. By far the best way to work out hiring charges, in order to make some money as an owner, is for you to multiply the mileage by the figure (pence) on which you settle, then to divide the total money by the number of tons chargeable, and to quote your customer a rate per ton.
A rate per ton for each particular job is usually a simpler way to get at it than to be bothered with tonmile figures, chiefly because the charge per ton-mile must vary in relation to the weight carried on the vehicle, the distances run, and the delays involved, for each trip. If there are in any cases delays of an exceptional nature, you ought to add something to cover the cost to yourself, over and above the mileage revenue.
It is better to keep a vehicle in the yard, than to run it at a loss, as a general rule.
LaneashireCarrying:Costs.
[2047] " HAULAGE " writes :—" We have had the following offer, of carting cloth from Darwen to Manchester and return with yarn. We should require a four-ton axle fitting.
"(a) Period 1st October, 1912-31st March, 1913.
"(b) Mileage run—not to exceed 250 miles.
"(c) Terms, £14 per week, with petrol free, tarpaulin, garage, and one man. We send our driver. Petrol is equivalent to £2.
"(d) Time—five days per week. "(e) Strikes, lock-outs, breakdowns not to penalize either party.
"We should return on Friday afternoon to prepare for marketers to Preston on Saturday. We return to Darwen on Monday morning. We are 34 miles from Darwen. Our machine is a 40 h.p. new —, and not being men of wealth we desire our capital to be returned as speedily as possible. Petrol, garage, and a man free are a consideration, but we run 48 miles empty.
"(a) Do you think our machine will stand the work ?
"(b) Is it rash or unwise to sign?
"(c) Is 250 miles a heavy programme with 48 miles running empty ?"
ANSWER.—It appears to us that the terms which you are offered should prove remunerative, provided you are clearly guaranteed the terms which are mentioned, in spite of conditions arising which might prevent your completing the 250 miles per week—say. unexpected delay at the loading points, or due to winter conditions on the road.
We think you should, additionally, make a bargain, say at the rate of Is. a mile, for any additional mileage over and above 250 in any week.
You do not specifically state the class of axle which is now on your machine, but we gather from your letter that you intend to substitute a new axle-presumably to suit the load, but you do not say what load vou propose to carry per trip. You should safeguard yourself in your contract against overloading.
You do not say whether you have to go to Oldham or some place near Manchester in order to pick up 11,e yarn, or whether the yarn will be brought into Manchester for you. With a petrol vehicle it is usually possible to pick the yarn up at the spinning mill, but that may add a little to the mileage. We are of opinion that the machine will stand I hjob very well, but that is a point upon which you might also get the written opinion of the maker as a safeguard.
Wants to Buy a New Frame.
[2048] "BLACKPOOLITE " writes:—" I have bought a 30-40 h.p. Daimler for converting into a small charh,-banes to hold 20. I have been a constant reader of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, but have failed to see any firms who have advertised in the paper for the making of frames.
"I shall be much obliged if you will answer me through the paper the two following questions :—(1) The name and address of firms who make frames suitable for my purpose ; (2) if twin pneumatic tires on back wheels would be as serviceable as solids?"
ANswEa.--The following are the makers of frames suitable for your purpose:— Messrs. Meehan and Sons, Seotstoun Works, Glasgow. Messrs. Rubery, Owen and Co., Darlaston. Mr. J. Thompson, Ettingshall Road, Wolverhampton.
In regard to your second query, twin pneumatic tires on the back wheels are very little in use in this country, and we should not recommend them, unless in exceptional circumstances.
Cost of a Four-ton Lorry.
[2040] " WORTHING " writes :—" Being a constant reader of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, and knowing your willingness to give any information re commercial lorries, I should be much obliged if you could let me know what a four-ton lorry can be run at per mile? I am going to open up a motor-haulage business in Kent, and I have one four-ton lorry to begin with. If a customer wants to hire the lorry and to pay so much per mile, what is a fair price to charge him ? If a customer wants to hire and pay so much per ton loaded one way, what would be a fair price? I should also like to get the lorry subsidized, and should be much obliged if you could give me the information as to where to apply."
ANSWER.—You ought to be able to run a four-ton lorry, provided you can arrange to travel not less than 350 miles a week. at 9.3 per mile. These costs may be put down in detail as under :—
Driver's wages 1.4d. Fuel (petroleum spirit) 1.5d. Oils and grease .25d Rubber tires ... 2.0d.
Repairs ... • • • • 1.25d. Rent, rates and lighting .4 Insurance and claims... .5d.
Depreciation 1.5d. Interest on capital .. .5d.
9.3d.
As a contractor, you must add about 5d. a mile to this to cover contingencies. We advise you to take practically any work which will yield you a revenue of Is. per mile run, reckoning both light and loadr -I mileage that you have to cover. Thus, if you were offered a job at so much a ton, you would have to ascertain the total number of miles, and then add onesixth. Reckon that figure in shillings, and divide by the number of tons you would carry, which would give you the rate per ton. In order to have any decent profit for yourself, you ought sometimes, and as often as possible, to work on the basis of a revenue of 'Is. 6d. per mile run.
With regard to the subsidy scheme, you should address the Secretary, Mechanical Transport Committee, War Office, S.W.