Coal-carrying by Karrier Tippers.
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IN many trades motor vehicles are proving of distinct advantage in all branches, from those concerned with the handling of the raw materials to those relating to manufacturing processes and distributive and sales arrangements. In others it is sometimes found convenient or necessary to rely, in part, upon other transport media, but, in almost every instance, the modern commercial motor
vehicle has a part to play and, by virtue of its reliability, speed and load-carrying capacity, it is proving indispensable.
The coal trade owes much of the improvement which has been effected in its distributive organization to the motor vehicle, and not only do merchants now undertake most of the delivery work by its aid, but big Colliery companies ate finding it efficient and economical to transport supplies from the pithead by such machines.
For developing "land sales" in particular, the vehicle which is divided into compartments is proving extremely beneficial. Heavier loads can be transported over longer distances in much less time than it previously took horsed vehicles to deal with similar tonnages, and this saving of time, apart from any
other factor, is enabling sales areas to be extended to districts which, with less modern transport methods, it would have been impossible to reach.
Reviewing the position of a wellknown Midland colliery concern—the Hamstead Colliery Co., Ltd., of Great Barr, Birmingham, which dates back to 1875—it is interesting to note that, whereas in 1915 the company's road
borne transport of coal was 33,700 tons—delivered chiefly by cart—last year's "land sale" amounted to 47,500 tons and we are informed, on good authority, that the increase has been brought about by the gradual replacement of horse-drawn wagons by commercial vehicles. The company runs a fleet of eight Karrier vehicles with capacities of 30 cwt., 2 tons and 5 tons, the vehicles having tipping bodies.
In most cases the vehicles are fitted with bodies of the at ee 1-lined compartment type, and in one of the accompanying picture s, which is of a 2-tonner, the type of body used is clearly shown. The hinged division in the centre can, of course, be released at will by means of a lever on the near side of the body. From reports received through the Midland depot at Handsworth, Birmingham, of Karrier Motors, Ltd., we gather that the vehicles employed by the Harostead Colliery Co. are giving entire satisfaction and are assisting in the promotion of general efficiency.