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Opinions from Others.

28th December 1911
Page 18
Page 18, 28th December 1911 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Driver's Protection from Weather.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

L1, 16n ow is the winter of our discontent, and the designers a.nd manuiacturers of commerciailuutur vehicles should give their attention to the comtort of the driver. Nearly all the commercial-motor vehtel...-s I have seen oo the road, with the exception of the light covered vans 'ammo., on pneumatic tires, are ()/ the open type as regards The protection of the driver. Your correspondent " From the Driver's Seat," on the 30th November, gave expression to many good points on this score.

The objection to boxing-in the driver has always been his inability to hear overtaking or approaching vehicles, but I think it would be easy to design sume such arrangement as is used on tramcars. Here, of course, the driver is standing on a platform, but the arrangement consists of two canvas roller blinds, one unrolung downwards from the roller carried between the root staitchions and the other unrolling from the skirting on the footboa.rd. These two blinds form a complete shelter, yet they allow a clear view for the driver, one blind overlapping the other and so forming an excellent shelter from driving snow or rain.

Side doors will also have to be fitted to the commercial-motor vehicle for winter use ; in fact, the speed and type of work call for more cover for the driver—not. necessarily of the enclosed brougham type. but sufficient to keep him dry and comfortable tor a long journey in stormy weather.---Yours faithfully, Birmingham. T. C. AVELINO.

Four Years a Lotis.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,468] Sir,—It is not an uncommon thing nowadays for manufacturers of commercial vehicles to receive testimonials as to the merits of their productions from purchasers of new cars, but we think it is almost unique for testimonials to be received from purchasers of second-hand ears, with whom the firm have had no previous dealings. Therefore, a letter we recently received from Mr. T. C. Young, of the Neath Aerated Water Works, Neath, S. Wales, is particularly interesting, more especially as it relates to one of the very first dozen Lotis cars turned out. The letter we refer to runs as follows : " A few weeks ago, I purchased from Mr. Ellis Evans, Llanelly, his Lotis delivery van. had it taken down and thoroughly overhauled, and a light lorry body fitted—total weight ready for the road 1 ton 1 cwt. 1 qr. The amount of pull there is in the

engine is astounding. I have been along with the driver, who, by the way, is one of my carmen, whom I am teaching to drive, and who now handles the vehicle well. Yesterday, I went along with him to Glyn-Neath. 12 miles, and the way the vehicle took its load (total with driver, lad and myself 22 cwt.) was astonishing. Top gear there and back ; in fact, I have not as yet tried a hill which she will not do on top gear."

Later, Mr. Young sent us a photograph of the car in its altered form, a copy of which we have pleasure in enclosing, and he says: "The load, as shown in the photograph, is over a ton, and she is just about to start for Glyn-Neath. Mr. Evans told the writer it had done 20,000 miles with him. Since it has been in my hands, it has up to the moment a non-stop record, and is yet in the hands of a novice."

We may add that this car was purchased by Mr. Evans at the Heavy Vehicle Show at Olympia nearly four years ago, and that it has been in constant use, since then over the exceedingly rough and hilly country roads round Llanelly.—Yours faithfully,

Coventry. STURMEY MOTORS, LTD.

Liverpool Turning Round.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

1,4691 Sir, One's mind instantly reverts, on reading the paragraph about " Liverpool's Second Bite," to the imposing demonstration that took place over a decade ago, starting from a low-lying rendezvous near the landing. stage at Liverpool, and proceeding through various Lancashire and other towns. One recalls that "demonstration " on contemplating: the present position of haulage in that city, and the glorious prospects for the heavy motor. One says " heavy " motor advisedly, for Liverpool gradients put the city in a class far different from London, Birmingham, or Manchester. It is more like, say, hilly Halifax. All roads from the docks into the city, and to towns inland, are naturally uphill. I: was this fact that caused some trouble at the famous demonstration. A 10 11.p. motor then could exert 10 h.p. Not one jot or tittle more. The horse, of course, can on a stiff road for a brief snace haul with 10, 12, or even 15 or 16 times its nominal power.

One used not comment on the enormous strides made in mechanical matters in a decade.

Let us to concrete facts.

"Give a man rope enough, and he will hang himself," is a saying that is proving true in regard to the carters of Liverpool. They are apparently grasping greedily, not giving their employers full measure for the Wages paid, " faking " overtime, not caring for their horses as they ought; and all this time employers are realizing faster and faster that motor haulage prevents "leakage of time." The pace and capacity of a motor can be known to a nicety and the driver can have a time-table to work to.

Driving machinery in motor wagons has improved so vastly that such steep thoroughfares as William Brown Street, London Road, and Prescot Street, in Liverpool, can be and are overcome. Traffic is being carried long distances from the docks, to places in the centre of Lancashire, and also to Bury. Rochdale, and Baeup, all in a hilly country.

Only during the past week it was announced that one Liverpool firm had just put on its seventh motorwagon for goods haulage, and that all appeared to be doing well. One of the vehicles was described as being "very swift " ; indeed, "a. runner or agent's pony was unable to keep up with it." The fact is, then, that the recent strike in Liverpool, and the way in which horse-drivers are doing their work, seems to be giving the commercial motor a great

lift in the city. If some of the horseless hauliers there would publish, in the ComatEriciAL MOTOR and the city papers, some data showing how humbug with men. as well as expense, has been lessened, it would be helpful.—Yours faithfully.

"A LANCASHIRE MAN."


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