WHEELS OF INDUSTRY. . " The wheel o f w ealth will be
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slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising , as a carriage by • the roughness of the roads over which it runs. "—John Beattie, eros*r.
Coal-gas Interest
.The letter below will be read with interest, showing as it does the rapid pr.:ogress -and development of the moven.eut in favour of coal-gas as a means of pro
Robin Hood Motor Gas Holders, Ltd.
• 10, Pilcher Gate, Nottingham. • 19th September, .1917. The Advt. Manager, " Motor " and COMMERCIAL Moron, London.
Dear Sir,—Allow me to congratulate you on the pulling power of your adver. Using pages. ' Last week we inserted half-page advt. in 'The Motor" und a full page in IRE ComMERCIAL MOTOR. Since Wednesday morning in last week our letter box has been packed two or the times each day with orders and inquiries. At the time of writing we had received 1372 replies, and they are still coming in.—Yours faithfully,
Roux. KIRK, Managing Director.
Tractor Farming in Excelsis.
The accompanying illustration serves to bring home the heroic efforts which our Ally across the Atlantic is exerting to contribute towards the adequate feeding of the forces of Liberty. It also conveys some idea of the degree to which resort hasto be made to machinery. These pictures were taken in the vicinity of the City of acrairiento. Three years ago theparticular stretch of flat country upon which the harvesters are shown at work was virtually a slough floodocl for five months of the year, the home of wild-fowl to which during the season the sportsmen of the adjacent Californian city, repaired for sport with the gun and spearing fiSh.
By erecting huge levees at a cost of .600000 it was found possible to reclaim 50,000 acres Of excellent sod which was 'put dewn to wheat this year. The whole of this crop, estimated as adequate to. feed 400...000 soldiers for a year and Set down as being worth nearly R800,000, was garnered in one day.
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• Seven combined harvesters, drawn by large powerful. traction engines, accompanied by a fleet of auxiliaries in the form of power-driven oil and water supply wagons, were set to work. Each harvester cut a swathe 35 ft. in width, and as the cornfield was attacked en echelon each passage across the tract -by the seven machines cut a pathway of a total width of 245 ft. A fleet of 50 tank wagons waited on the harvesters, drawing the grain from the huge bins carried on each machine. The tank wagons discharged their loads into barges upon the adjacent Sacramento River to be floated down to the city flour mills. Work was commenced at ;lawn, and, before sunset the whole area of waving grain had been gathered in and shipped lo the mills.
Steam Omnibuses.
Attention is being paid in certain parts of Surrey to the possibility of utilizing stearn wagons as motor omnibuses to overcome the difficulty of operating the present services due to the restricted supply of petrol. These remarks apply, in particular, to a service of buses running between Kingston and Esher, which a resident of Oxshott proposes to replace by the use of Foden
steamers fitted with the ordinary type of bus body. The matter is under consideration at the present time by the :General Purposes Committee of the . Thames Ditton D.C. It is very unlikely that the scheme will find much support.
Premises Vacant.
We know of central premises right in the heart .of the city of Manchester, and adjacent to one of the best known motor dealers in the district, which are open for occupation. The premises are ideally suitable for tyre or 'accessory manufacturer's depot and are ready for immediate 'tenancy. Any manufacturer interested -will receive further Par. ticulara by addressing an enquiry to " Manchester Premises," care of the Kditor, DIE COMMERCIAL MOTOE,
Tyre Tests.
A number of tests were recently carried out in California to determine the' amount -of thruSt sustaiped : by an ordinary rubber tyre when a. motor vehicle rounds a. corner. It was found that a car weighing 2500 lb. taking a curve of 50 ft. radius at 4 m.p.h. nnposed practically no additional strain upon the tyres. In taking the same CoillSes at 20 m.p.h., it was found that not only was the dead weight of the vehicle, ic., 2500 lb., thrown upon the outer wheels, but Opt. there 45, as a centrifugal load or side thrust equal to 'a force of about 665 lb. per tyre, applied in such a manner as to tend to strip the tyre off the rim. Practical tests of this nature are enlightening and should serve to remind the average driver that driv,, ing at moderate speeds in taking corners tends to add materially to the life of the tyres as well as to the machine.
Coal-gas for Municipalities.
The Works and Highways Committee of Lewisham B.C. report that the Road Board have written intimating that it may be necessary in the near future to reduce the quantitier of petrol
licensed for commercial and public utility vehicles, and they draw attention to the experiments which have been made for the utilization of coal-gas for the provision of motive power. Lyon, Ltd., with -whom the borough surveyor has been in consultation on the matter, will " supply and fit a gas, bag of 275 cubic ft. capacity to the Council's car, together with the necessary fittings, at a cost of 29 .13s. 6d.,. and a tray, at a cost of about ,B16 10s. The Committee have accepted this tender.
Tractor Drivers.
• The Food Production Department has made arrangemerdS for the immediate training of a .number of men as tractor drivers in connection with the food programme for 1918.
Alcohol as Fuel.
The Advisory Council of Science and Industry of Australia, with whom the Alcohol Motor Fuel Committee; of Pall Mall, London, S.W., is co-operating, is desirous of obtaining an efficient engine to-run on alcohol, to exhibit at work at agriciiltural shows and other exhibitions in Australia, with a view to stimulating public' interest in the use of alcohol as a fuel. It is recognized, naturally; that such engines may not be readily obtainable at the present time, but any available information as regards cost of alcohol engines and the probable date of delivery will be received by the Committee for transmission " down under." A small stationary engine of 5 to 10 lt.p. would be preferred for demonstration purposes. The secretary will forward further information upon application.
An Inspection Lamp.
In an ordinary garage the uses of a portable hand-lamp are many. Its chief usefulness lies perhaps in its handiness for inspection purposes. Such a lamp, which has been designed specially• for this latter purpose, has recently been introduced by S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., 179-185, Great Portland Street, W. 1. It will be seen from our illustration that this new lamp is solidly made with a view to its withstanding hard and rough usage. It is 'constructed throughout of ebonite, and a guard, which is neatly secured in position in slots in a thread at the top of the hanclpiece, is fitted round the lamp itself. This guard is provided with a hinged door which can readily be sealed if thought necessary. The top 'of the holder is provided with -a special grip which securely anchors the cab tyre sheathing. of the flex without pinching the conductors together. Screws
or wing nuts are not employed at all in the construction of the tamp—a noteworthy point. We have examined one of these inspection lamps and can certainly
testify to its utility for the purpose for which it was designed. The price is 9s. 6d. each lamp.
Tractor Transference.
The Four-Wheel Tractor Co. has been reorganized as the Topp-Stewart Tractor Co. and the capital increased to 500000 dollars.
Scrap Rubber Prices.
The solid rubber band tyre 'manufacturers, who are members of the British Rubber Tyre Manufacturers Association, announce that the allowance made upon the return to their works of old steel bands with rubber attached has beeu reduced, as from 1st 'September, 1917, to 3s. 9d. per tyre for all sizes of sections up to and including. 100 mm. wide and 5s. per tyre for all saes of sectionklarger • than 100 mm. wide.. These alloWances are offered in respect of undamaged steel . bands and old tyres in condition as removed from the wheel. ,
Siam's Electrics.
The Siam Electricity Co. of Bangkok, Siam, maintains a fleet of five electric vehicles, two of which have been in use since 1904. These:. thirteen-year-old veterans are used for lamp delivery, white the larger trucks are used by wiremen, and for various other uses of the company. These electrics are successfully operated by unskilled natives.
This Siamese electricity supply company is especially interesting. Rice husks are used in place of coal at the generating station, and tbs unusual fuel is obtainable in almost unlimited quanth titles at a low cost. To guard against s shortage of rice husks, the company keeps an oil tank in reserve for fuel, but it is rarely needed.
Dunlop Staff Patriotism.
We are informed that over "50 per cent, of the Dunlop Rubber Co. 's staff in Dublin has joined" the forces. A recent published casualty list contains the name of Lieut. R. V. Drought, an old employee, whose name figures amongst the posthumous recipients of the Military Cross.
There has always been a tendermy on the part of commercial-vehick drivers, and in particular the driver of the lighter class of machine, to cram the -utmost amount of goods on the van in his charge. This undesirable feature is without doubt accentuated at the present time through generally-known reasons. To those who have been observant. this featrire is strikingly noticeable in the case of the Ford van.
There We have a machine with a defi
, nite load-carrying capacity, which in nine cases out of ten is not infrequently called upon to carry anything between 5 and 10 cwt. in excess of its designed capacity. Although sheer force of circumstances may necessitate this elasticity, the results, as 'a rule, prove disastrous. The prevailing trouble with the Ford van when overloading is constantly carried out is shearing of the bolts holding the hub plates of the rear
wheel.
The method of attaching the plate to the wheel, as carried out by the maim
faCturers, is, under normal conditions, far from satisfactory, anti is certainly lacking in necessary strength to withstand additional strains and stresses arising . from overloading. Within a brief period the holes driven through the spokes to receive theoplate.studs become elliptical. The inevitable play which is set up is conducive to shearing action upon the bolts. ' To overcome thisdefect and prevent shearing strains upon the plate studs, the Sanfred Co., of Birraingham, has devised an improved method of attaching the plates to the Wheel. Instead of slipping the six studs throughthe wheel and plates and pulling them up with a wrench hammer in the.usual manner, the inner plate is provided with three small equi-distaatly:spaced collars, cast integrally therewith. These bosses, tapped to receive the .screw ends of the studs, are made to fit into corresponding holes drilled into the • driving plate secured permanently on the hub.
Midway between each of the foregoing studs is another bolt, which, passes in the reverse direction front the inner to the outer plate. In this Instance the hole through the spokes is filled with a hush or liner of special design to act as a distance piece. These bushes are first slipped into position, and driven home by a few taps of the hammer. The outer end of each liner comes flush with the miter surface of the second plate. All wear is taken up by the liner, which can be easily and inexpensively renewed when necessary. Attachment is a simple operation. By this method of fitting equitable bearing upon the three studs is assured.. Shearing cannot Occur at all.
Taylor Truck Deal.
It is announced by the American Press that the Taylor Motor Truck Co. has purchased all the assets, but none of the liabilities, of the H. ,G. Burford Co., of Freemont, Ohio, and expects to turn out 200 " Taylor " trucks per month.
Thornycroft Lorry Fleet.
We illustrate _below a portion of the fleet of Thornycroft lorries owned by Messrs. Nestle and Anglo-Swiss Con densed Milk Co. The directors a few months ago were so impressed with the good working of Thornycrofts that they advertised in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR for second-hand lorries of that make and with some difficulty gathered together a goodly fleet of them.
Automobile Cables.
A circular folder is to hand from Ward and Goldstone, of Salford, concerning their high and low-tension cables and flexibles for automobile use. It may not be generally known that this company has been engaged in the manufacture of cables and flexibles of all descriptions for a quarter of a century. They are busily engaged at the present time on important contracts for the British and Allied Governments, but we are given to understand that they are in a position to give attention to a limited number of private orders. Many earlighting and dynamo manufacturers make use of this company's cables.
Recent Registrations.
Ross Locknut Co., Ltd., with a capital of 215,000 in 21 shares, to take over from S. J. Ross and H. Schofield the benefit of certain inventions relating to locknuts.
Cecil Motor Co., with a capital -of .2100 in 21 shares to be motorcar manufacturers. Registered office is at 69, Great
Queen Street, E.C. • British Automobile Equipment Co., with a capital of .2100,000 in 21 shares, to acquire certain patents and rights from Accuratact Magnetos, Ltd., and H. a Grant, and to acquire the business of aviation, motor and general engineers from F. Lamplough, carried on at Feltham, ,Middlesex, as Laraplough a,nd Co. Registered office, Finsbury Pavement House, E.C.
Three-wheeled Sweeper.
Following the difficulty of manufacture by the Lacre Motor Car Co. Ltd., of a motor sweeper ordered. by the Lambeth B.C., an alternative proposition suggested by the company Ins b.een.accepted by the Council. The original order was for a sweeper at 2655, whilst the machine which is now being purchased is a threewheeler at the price of 2375. It has a broom driven separately, which gives a sweeping width of 6 ft. 3 ins. The power unit developS 12 h.p., and the inclusive weight of the machine is stated to be 27 cwt. A 100-gallon tank and a spraying apparatus is also being fitted at the request of the Lambeth authorities.
For Greasy Roads.
The present is the time for the commercial-vehicle user to consider the fitting of any supplementary device intended to be of service under winter conditions. This remark applies in particular to non-skids and such-like devices. A number of accessories of this nature have been patented from time to time, but with few exceptions they have not advanced beyond this stage of protection. Of those marketed quite a high proportion have failed to withstand the hard and rough service of commercial-vehicle work. Several practical non-skids, however, are available, and appear to be finding mirth favour with users of the heavier class of machine. -Another device, which might well be added to this category, is the Brook non-skid and supplementary tread which • has recently been brought forward by Brown Bros., Ltd., the large accessory factors of Great Eastern Street, E.G. This new accessory is composed of a chain of Malleable iron shoes shaped to fit in the groove between twin tyres. The shoes are connected by steel links, pivoted in such a manner as to permit independent action of each shoe, and the whole when coupled up forms an endless chain round the tyre. As will be seen from our illustration, this presents an even tread to the road. As the non-skid is not secured to the wheel at any point, the tyre cannot be damaged, whilst this feature enables the chain to creep round the tyre and thus be self-cleaning. A commendable and salient feature of the Brook device is that each link is readily detachable and renewable. Both lateral and. ,straight skids are prevented by the aid of this fitting, which affords a grip on the road when a vehicle is starting on a slimy or greasy surface.
Fuel and Oil Economy.
Prices' Co., Ltd.,. Battersea, S.W., is publishing at periodic intervals helpful and informative pamphlets dealing with fuel and oil matters, a subject, naturally, in. which they are well versed:The latest leaflet deals with the much-de-; bated subject of consumption—mpg. as the subject is tersely headed—and its main abject is to assist the user, t15, illustratin, in very simple language points which have to be observed if fuel and oil wastage is to be prevented.. Much interesting matter, which is put together in a very readable fashion, is embodied in this leaflet, and to the driver who is dissatisfied with his m.p.g. it should be most useful in -enabling him to secure the desired end.
Waterproof Paint. . , . ,
With the advent of inclement -Weather conditions, usually associated with the English climate at this time-of the year, A behoves all users of commercial vehicles who have a Cape-cart or canvas canopy extension over the driver's cab on their vehicles to see that this covering is absolutely leakproof. The driver's lot on many vehicles is an unenviable one, and if a hooded covering is provided it is in the interests of the user to see that it affords protection against wintry weather conditions.
A sure remedy against the possibility of leakage is to apply a coating of Accordian flexible paint as made by S. E. Parkes and Co., Ltd., 46, Camberwell Green, S.E. This paint is equally remedial when applied on canvas, Pantastote, Pegamoid and other such materials. It can be used for waterproofing, renovating or Preserving,. and in all cases materially lengthens the life of the fabric treated. Considerable quantities .have been supplied by the manufacturers to various Government departments. It should be at considerable service to char-a-banes proprietors and the like.