OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 55
Page 56
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only and, preferably, typewritten. The right of abbreviation is reserved and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
The Business and Educational Value of "The Commercial Motor." • The -Editor.; THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR. •
[2890] Sir,—I have been taking considerable notice of late of .YOur "Opinions and Queries" columns and " S:T.R.'s" advice on the subject of haulage work, its advantages and pitfalls. He has convinced me that there is still much scope for a live man as a haulage contractor.
I should much like to have one of your Tables of Costs and any other information you may care to send me, The class of work I have in mind is the transport of agricultural and market-gardeners' produce.
I propose to start with a Ford or Chevrolet sixwheeler of 2-3-tons capacity. I notice there are several six-wheeler attachments on the market. Is there any you can recommend?
My journeys will be approximately 160 miles per day, with a 21-ton average load five days per week. How long, do you think the vehicles mentioned above will stand up to this mileage?
Your journal I have found useful and very interesting reading. The contributions from maintenance engineers; •the features, "New Patents," "What's New," legal and other reports, etc., are a never-failing source of information of educational value and a real criterion to motor users of every category. I wish the journal continued success.—Yours faithfully, Blackpool. F. SIMPSON.
['We have sent you a copy of our Tables of Operating Costs. The several six-wheeled combinations of Ford and Chevrolet chassis are all of high. standard and should give you good service. There would be no point in our recommending any one of them in preference to another. Your best procedure would be to take the advice of a responsible local agent to whom you know you can look for good service at reasonable prices.
These vehicles will stand up to the mileage you name, provided that on the sixth day of the week they are looked over and all necessary adjustments made ; also, they must
lie kept thoroughly lubricated and greased. -You must also realize that a complete overhaul would be necessary
each year, and if this overhaul be properly carried out, a life of five years is probable, but we ourselves would be inclined to consider renewal not later than at the end of the fourth year.—En.]
Information on Six-wheelers Required.
The .Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2891] Sir,—I am a carrier, and am operating in this district with a 30-cwt. Reo, five years old, with 60,000 miles to its credit, and a 21-ton Dennis, with a mileage of about 10,000. J.,have had five years' experience of motor haulage in the west of Queensland and know most of the difficulties encountered in the way of boggy creeks, crossings, soft sand, steep creek banks, etc.
I am a subscriber to your journal and am greatly interested in six-wheeled trucks, which I think will have a very great future. I would be glad to change over to six-wheelers and to that end I desire to know as much as possible about them.
Would you be good enough to have forwarded to me by the firms who make six-wheelers, their catalogues, specifications and literature describing them in
full. I notice in' your columns that the Albion, Crossley and Sunbeam people produce six-wheeled trucks. By six-wheelers. I ,mean rigid-frame sixwheelers.
I am well provided with particulars of the Karrier products, but know little of any other make and would be grateful if you would request manufacturers to forward me particulars of their vehicles of this type.—Yours faithfully, JOHN B. NORTH. Box 59, Richmond, North Queensland, Australia.
[We would point out that the following British petrolengined•six-wheeled chassis of the rigid-frame pattern are also made :—Guy, Scammell, F.W.D., Thornyeroft, Leyland, Trojan, Tilling-Stevens, Halley, Cominer Car. No doubt many of the makers of these will accede to the request of our correspondent for full information regarding them.—ED.]
Plying for Hire.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[28921 Sir,—I should be greatly esteemed if you would furnish me with a reply, to the following question... am the owner of a Lancia 26-seater plying for public hire between two towns, with fares payable 2d. minimum and 1s. maximum. Tax payable on bus, £48 per annum. Is it necessary that I should have a hackney-carriage plate affixed to such a bus?
For your information I may state that the bus has been approved by the local council for service within its area, and the number of seats in each bus is painted inside the vehicle.
I might add that I have a slight recollection of reading in your Journal something bearing on this matter. As I desire to be certain on the point perhaps you will inform me.—Yours faithfully, F. J. JOHN.
[You must have a hackney-carriage plate affixed to your bus if you ply for hire. There is no exception to this rule.— En.] Working with a Ford Six-wheeler Conversion.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2893] Sir,—Will you please forward your Tables of Operating Costs. I have just acquired a new Ford six-wheeler, as advertised in the " CM." ; from which column should I take the costs of running this vehicle? I am likely to be offered some work of taking a load of three tons out about 30 miles, or bringing a load of empties back, the all-round journey would be 65 miles, time seven hours, the price offered willbe between 85s. and 40s. Will it be worth doing at this ; it might be five days per week? I do not want to miss it if it be worth doing; also I do not want to work
for nothing.--Yours faithfully, A. KETTERIDGE. Ashwell.
[Your ford 3-ton six-wheeler will cost approximately Sid. per mile to run and £6 per week for standing charges, including your own wages and the other, items included in our Tables of Operating Costs. On that basis, assuming you run 65 miles per 'day of 5 days per week, your weekly mileages will be 325 and your total operating costs £13 10s.
Your revenue at 35s, per trip would only be £12 Sc. per week and at 40s. per trip only £14 per week, so that even at the higher figure you will only clear your bare costs . by 10s. per week.
The rninimujn figure for revenue for a 3-ton vehicle, according to the Tables, you will note, is £20 per week, which is equivalent to 96s. per trip. The profit in that ease is £6 10s. gross.
You should at least make £.1 gross profit per week driying the lorry on your own, which means that you must obtain a revenue of £16 10s. per week, which is -equivalent to 66s. per trip,I do not consider the work would be worth while for less.—S.T.R]
A Criticism of London's New Buses.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2894] Sir,—Why is it that London lags behind all other towns in the matter of its passenger transport? In a recent issue the "latest” L.G.O.C. bus is shown, No. L.T.1. This body is all right when seen from the front, but why does it not have an enclosed stairway and platform? If the new, fleet is to last another ten years then do let us have something modern for a start !
With the present arrangement wind blows dust and rain on to the passengers sitting near the door on the top (leek ; then on a muddy day the suction caused by the bus draws the fine mud spray on to the back, and the first passenger who grabs the hand rail on the stair after a short run gets his hand all over dirt, Then think of the better time for the conductor, instead of fooling about in a mack, trying to make up a sodden way-bill from a lot of half-drowned tickets, as he does at present.
It is not that it cannot be done, as nearly all the • double-deckers on six wheels, and a great many, on four wheers, supplied to provincial towns in the past two or three years have enclosed platforms. Even the Leyland concern seems to be converted to the completely enclosed bus, as the latest four-wheeled Titans supplied to the Sheffield Corporation are fitted this way.
A perfectly practical design of enclosed platform can be designed for either four or six-wheeled buses,• and it seems senseless to spoil the ship for a " hap'orth of tar," just to save a few pounds on a 12,000 bus when it means that people will have to put up with discomfort for ten or more years.—Yours faithfully, Littlestone-on-Sea. CLEAN HANDS.
Running a Long-distance Goods Service.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2895] Sir,—Please send me your Tables of Operating Costs for haulage work. I take it that a regular service could be run between, say, LiverpOol and London, via Coventry and/or Birmingham. A threeton lorry would be used.
What is the best "all round" type of body to use for general work at these distances? Just the ordinary lorry with drop sides, I take it?
Are the new. Fords satisfactory with six wheels, as fitted by certain firms? They look well and should hold the road well—are they moderate on tyre wear, petrol, etc.?
Running steadily (I am conmetent to do own repairs and maintenance) with a decent amount of work to do, what should be the net profit at the end of the month? This is an all-important point to me.
Have you any advice to give as to notifying firms, etc., of my service, other than advertising in the bigger local papers? Could I obtain some work from other hauliers on a commission basis?
B30 On such a route as the foregoing should there be work in plenty or would another route or even local business be equally good —Yours faithfully,
Wallasey. WI, K JONES.
[There is nothing to prevent your establishing a regular service between Liverpool and London via Coventry or Birmingham, or both, if you desire, and if you can find work to be done along those routes.
An ordinary lorry with high sides detachable and hinged is the best type for general haulage, but we think you should consider whether a five-tonner would not do better for your purpose than a three-tonner. The bigger the load the more profitable the journey, other things being equal. The new six-wheeler attachments for Ford lorries are, generally speaking, quite satisfactory. It is impossible to answer your question as to the net profit you would make each month. This depends on circumstances, but mainly upon yourself. There is a living in this class of work, and that is the most we can say. The best thing you can do is to get into touch with possible customers by personally canvassing for work. You should easily be able to obtain work from other haulage contractors, but as a rule this is not on a commission basis, but as a sub-contractor. Get in touch with Marston's Road Services, Ltd., Old Castle Buildings, Preesons Row, Liverpool ; Miller and Co., 27, Water Street, Liverpool; Warnool Transport Co., 204, Breck Road, Liverpool.
. You should make your own inquiries in Liverpool, Birmingham and Warrington, preferably with your lorry, so that potential customers can see what sort of vehicle you are offering.--S.T.R.]
Using a Lorry for Passengers.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2896] Sir,—I have been a reader of your paper for the past six months and have found it a very useful and valuable one.
Now I am turning to you for a little information. I am operating a 30-cwt. motor lorry and I pay a tax of £25 per annum; I use it for haulage purposes, and 1 now intend using it as a hackney-carriage vehicle, say, for the conveyance of footballers, etc. How much more tax must I pay per annum? Furthermore, kindly forward me your Tables of Operating Costs, etc.—Yours faithfully, H. ROBERTS. Holywell.
[The amount which you will have to pay depends entirely upon the seating capacity. Presuming that the vehicle is running on pneumatics, you could carry up to 14 persons without any increase of tax, or up to 29 by paying a total of £36 per annum.—En.]