A FINE EXAMPLE OF SERVICE
Page 48
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0NE of our drivers had the misfortune to be involved
in art accident when over 200 miles from home, and the radiator was damaged beyond repair. After several fruitless local inquiries, we telephoned to the manufacturer of the vehicle concerned in the hope of being able to procure a complete radiator.
Not only was our attempt successful, but within four hours we received a telegram informing us that the required radiator was on the way to the scene of the accident. It arrived next morning and. the driver fitted it himself Without difficulty. Thus, in little more than 24 hours, the vehicle was once more in service—a truly remarkable record in these difficult times.
I must add that the vehicle in question was a Morris
commercial Wm. B. WAKEFIELD
Helton -1c-Hole. (For W. Wakefield and Sons)
FITTING TOLERANCES FOR TIMKEN BEARINGS
WILL you please give your opinion on the following " problem? Is it correct for a Timken bearing (inncr track) to be free to move circumferentially on a vehicle's rear-axle tube? The case in question concerns several vehicles all fitted with Timken bearings that can be entered on the axle tubes and flicked along the full length of the tubes with the fingers. After 6,000 miles, 0.002 in. is shown between bearing and tube.
lam advised that this is in order, also that the bearings should mOve circumferentially. To my mind, this defeats the principle of the roller race by making it become partly a sleeve bearing and causing more friction.
If the wear be allowed to develop on the axle tube, I believe it will also affect the adjustment of the brakes. To my mind, this is wrong. I may, however, be mistaken, and I am always" willing to learn.
Portsmouth. S. A. BEABEY.
[[he instance of play between the bearing and axle journal is not isolated, because we met with several examples of this on mass-produced vehicles prior to the war. According to Newall standards of push fit, on a 3-4-in, journal, a tolerance of 0.0005 in is allowable. We gather from your letter that possibly the axle journal was on the lower limit of manufacture and that the bearing tack was on the top limit. This would give a tolerance of 0.001 in., which, of course, is sufficient to give a Newall ''.Z" sliding fit. We fully agree with you that no advantage is attained should the inner track turn; on the contrary, it may be detrimental to the axle tube. However, it is generally recognized that pre-war tolerances may not be so rigidly adhered to with the advent of so much unskilled labour and quite possibly, in some of the cases you have quoted, even the bottom limit on the axle journal may have been exceeded. .The maker of these bearings may have something to add to what we have said.—Eo.1
titzt
MODIFYING AN ILA.F. COACH FOR HIRE WORK
I HAVE an ex-R.A.F. Dodge craw coach and shall be pleased if you will help me to-Solite iVlittle "problem I want to put a small coach' on the foad for general hire work, and would like to-knOW if it 'Would be Possible, after modification, to use this Dodge for the Pur pose. The rear doors would ,be filled and a: sliding door made in the front near side; also new seatsietc.,
would be fitted. wondered if this kind of vehicle would then be passed fot 'hire Work. Irchester.
tit is difficult to advise you without a dimensioned sketch. because the possibility of converting the bodywork, assuming it to be in good condition, is chiefly a matter of dimensions. Facing-forward seats Must be spaced not lessi-than 2 ft. 2 ins, apart, with 16 ins length of seat for each_ passenger. Any centre gangway must be 12 ins. wide below and 14 ins. wide above a height of 2 ft. 6 ins. froin -the floor. The rear overhang mus': not be more than 50 per cent, of the wheelbase for a.two-axled vehicle. If more than 14 passengers be carried, then the headroom must not be less than 5 ft. 10 ins. If there be fewer than 14 seats, then the headroom. maybe SIt. 3 ins. In any case, aS.you propose fitting a front entrance, you will require an emergency exiz which could be added when you alter the back of the body. We would suggest that you purchase copies of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1936,. No: 185, Road Traffic and Vehicles, price 4d. net, and Statutory Rules and Orders, 1937, No. 229, price 8d. net:' These publications will . not, only, give you, further details, but also information concerning various items of the chassis.' They may be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, Adastral House, KingsWay, London, W.C.2, by enclosing 3d. extra for posta —Eo.)
USING A SHOOTING BRAKE FOR PRIVATE HIRE
WE have a problem which we have put before our " insurance brokers. and insurance company,-hut there appears to be some doubt as to the _correct interpretation of the point at issue. We would be grateful if you would let us have your ruling on 'the matter:
We have a shooting brake with a seating capaeity.:of 12. This is licensed as a private vehicle, but we wish to use for private hire from time to. time.
(1) In order, legally, to use the machine for private hire, do we need to notify any authority or obtain any other licence?
(2) With a private licence (£37 10s.. per annum), could we carry passengers up to a maximum of 12, or are we restricted to eight?
(3) Would an insurance, company insistupon the private hire being restricted to eight passengers, or could we, in fact, cover up to 12, stating on the proposal form that the machine was licensed as a private car, but that there would be occasional private hire up to a maximum
of 12 passengers? MOTORS Manchester
Elf you carry more than eight passengers or if your vehicle has more than eight seats, then before you may use it for private hire you must obtain a public service vehicle licence for it, and before you get that, you will have to obtain a certificate of fitness. In order, to obtain these licences, you should get into touch with. the local officials of the Ministry of Transport; who will give you precise advice as to what you must do in your district. The fore going, I think, replies to your questions (1) and (2), except that I might add that, once you have obtained this P.S.V. licence and the certificate of fitness, there As nothing to prevent you from using the vehicle for private hire, provided that you comply specifically with the definition of private hire as laid down by the Act. That is rather long to include in a note, but it may be summarized.! by stating that you are not allowed to carry passengers for separate fares. The vehicle must be hired as a whole. As regards insurance, there should be little difficulty. —S.T.R.)