OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
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The Editor invites correspondence on all 514 bj eds connected with the use ofcommercial motors. Letters should be on one. side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
Petrol v. Electric. The Aberdeen Lorries.
The Editor, TEE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1686] Sir,—The Leyland Motors, Ltd., claim in a recent advertisement that -an order has been placed with them for petrol lorries to carry out haulage, for which the whole of the electric vehicle manufacturers have refused to cater. This clearly shows that the latter well appreciate the limitations of the electric vehicle and are not prepared to advise prospective clients to install electric where other vehicles can be operated to greater advantage.
The task in question is-unique and must not be confused with ordinary household refuse collections. The material having been collected by horse vans is taken to a covered depot resembling a railway siding, where stand several farge boxes or spare bodies. The van approach is at a higher level. The van loads are conveniently tipped into these receptacles, which are then lifted by overhead travelling cranes on to whatever lorries are available. These proceed to and fro the whole day to a quarry approximately 3 miles distant. I cannot accurately state the gradual rise, but it is sufficient to warrant Mr. Findlay, Cleansing Superintendent (past president of the Cleansing Superintendents Institute), in employing 8-ton petrol lorries carrying loads averaging 4 tons (vide official log sheets). They were in use but a few months before being commandeered for war purposes, during which they did excellently.
It must not he thought that the electric would fail to do thiS work, but it could not improve upon the figures already produced, consequently there would be no advantage in making a larger capital outlay.
Since the gauntlet has been thrown, I accept the challenge, and now offer to supply Edison accumula B52
tor standard 2-ton chassis fitted with electricallytipped bodies to thee Aberdeen City Council, and guarantee to do the complete work of collecting from the houses and removal to quarry at a less price than the present. method, in 'addition to eliminating the heavy cost of depot, labour, machinery, etc., which is 'specially responsible for the handling of the material.
In justice to Mr. Findlay, I wish to point out that at the time he invented his present method modern electric vehicles were unknown. I feel sure that, had he to provide now, he would ponder awhile before adopting his present system,—Yours faithfully,
EDISON ACCUMULATORS, LTD., (W. H. L. WisTeoN,
General Sales Manager.)
The New L.G.O.C. Omnibus Chassis.
The Editor, TINE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1687j Sir,—One point of particular interest in the new L.G.O.C. omnibus will be the arrangement of the, worm below the wheel in the final drive. In the past, if my memory serves, me, this was an excellent position from the standpoint of lubrication, but owing to the angle at which the eardan shaft descended from the gearbox the universal joints did not fare very well. One wonders how this has been overcome in this new passenger chassis.—Yours faithfully:" ARTHUR MATLORD TURNER.