Winter Treads Wanted for Steam Wagons.
Page 19
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The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,444] Sir,—The inability of our manufacturers to provide for steam wagons a winter wheel which will comply with legal requirements, and enable users to keep their machines running—with sonic degree of regularity—in all kinds of weather, is a matter for comment and regret, and is somewhat surprisin* in view of the large number of steel-tired machines on the road. Rubber tires will naturally obviate the difficulty, but it is hardly a practical proposition to equip all wagons with two complete sets of wheels. To carriers, who have several steel-tired machines, it would necessitate a large capital outlay, and a very probable strain on their resources.
I do not pretend to any faculty for invention, but, to my mind, a composite band, of a lasting nature, which could be carried on a wagon, and easily and securely affixed to the wheels whenever wintry conditions were encountered, would meet requirements, but any tendency to creep would neces sarily have to be overcome. You, Sir, are well aware of the difficulties with this type of machine during frost and snow, and it would appear that manufacturers are somewhat lacking in policy m not experimenting further in this direction. There can be no doubt that if a suitable invention were marketed, after thorough and satisfactory tests, it would meet with a very ready demand on a sufficient scale to repay the time, labour and capital expended. It, may be that this factor may hasten the supercession of the steamer by the petrol machine— but that will not be yet ; meanwhile, supporters of the steel-tired steamer are placed at a considerable disadvantage during the winter months.
In fairness to their customers, I think that manufacturers ought to give this question more attention than is at present apparent.—Yours faithfully,
NON-SRID."