Answers to Queries.
Page 18
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Speeds with Trailers.
PON] (Removers).—No stamped envelope was covered with your favour of the 7th inst. The speed of 5 m.p.h. is the legal speed,, but many owners take the risk of exceeding it, and apparently do so with impunity. Higher speed may be sanctioned under new legislation or ord.er.
Assembling a New Chassis from Parts.in Head.
[4097] (Garage).—Your position and intentions clearly contravene the Order, and you should apply for a permit to proceed, pointing out that the parts are in your possession, addressing your inquiry to the Director-General of Mechanical Transport, Contracts Department, Grand Hotel, Northumberland Avenue, W.C.
His Fourth Speed Won't Stay In.
[4098] (Lancs.).—The fourth speed of your lorry idieles out, we should say, because the locking gear on your selecting rod is out of order. Since you tell us that you have recently put in a new spring, we must conclude that the spring is not of the right strength, or that the notch on the rod is worn, or that the plunger is again sticking. We advise you to make a further examination of that portion of the gearbox.
He has Invented a Rotary Valve.
[4099] (31.T., A.S.C.).—Concerning the sketch of proposed valve forrn petrol engines, there is nothing new about this. It has been tried on several different makes of machines, notably the Darracce A member of our staff designed and made such a valve and gear 12 or 13 years ago. The difficulties attendant on its use are trouble due to overheating, leakage, and faulty lubrication. It is possible that by persistent effort these troubles may be overcome, but we think we have said sufficient to assure you that there is nothing novel about the idea.
Front an Old Subscriber who has been "Reminded."
[4100] (Cheshire).—The postcard reminder, which is issued by the business department and not by the editorial department, is found to be necessary by us, as a reminder, in a good many cases, even to old subscribers. We certainly accept your posteript in the spirit in which it is no doubt written. The fact remains that, owing to the Editor's having been associated with heavy motor transport for upwards of 20 years, the initiation of very much of that which has been done to improve the legislative position, or to protect users against legislative interference, has either been done—wholly or in part—on his initiative or with his very close co-operation.
Changed Destinations of M.T., A.S.C. Unit.
[4101] (Letters).—You may receive back from Bombay in due course the registered letters to which you refer, unless the boats carrying them have been torpedoed, or alternatively they may be re-directed through the military post office to the unit's new address. It is an unfortunate circumstance that the originally-intended, destination of a company is. frequently varied, due to the exigencies of the military situation. Thereis no doubt that you will do well to follow the exact address which is communicated from time to time, no matter how often it changes. If you do not hear anything satisfactory, either from the G.P.O. in the shape of the return of the letters, or from the Balkans to the effect that the letters are delivered, by, say, the middle of January, perhaps you will write again to the Editor. We can assure you that the delay over the mails for units in the Balkans is sometimes very considerable.
c56 Hiring Rates for a Ford Van.
[4102] (New Owner).—We advise you to obtain the 8d. per mile run as a minimum for the use of the Ford, and if there is any exceptional waiting, or if the hire is by time, to obtain at least 5s. an hour. A Ford van does not stand up, commercially, on average roads, without undue wear' to a greater total imposed load, including body, than 10 cwt.
Gloves for the M.T. Men.
[4103] (Employer).—The glove with the woollen wrist portion, of which many thousands of pairs have been bought, • is known as the " Phcenix Tan," and is lined. The other satisfactory type of glove is of horse-hide. The gloves are purchased in about equal quantities from A. W. Gamage, Ltd., of Holborn Circus, E.G., and A. H. Selwyn, -Ltd., of 8, Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, E.G.
Reading Up Magneto Adjustment.
[4104] (Substitution).—There is much useful information in the "Motor Manual," published by Temple Press Ltd., price is. 6d., postage 3d. You might also get a book, written by Mr. G. W. Watson, entitled "The' Commercial Motor Drivers Handbook," which is published by the Commercial Motor Users Association, of €t3, Pall Mall, S.W., price is. 3d. post free.
Lists of Makers.
[4105] (Supplies).—The last time that we published a list approaching the character which you mention was when we published our Overseas Annual at the beginning of 1914: We are sorry that no copy is available. A list which will probably help you considerably has been published by the B. F. Goodrich Co., Ltd., 117-123, Golden Lane, E.G. You might care to apply to that company for a copy. The list is in book form.
On Converting a Touring Car to Commercial Use.
[4106] (Gas Works).—The description which you give of the car is, unfortunately, rather vague, but, judging by the h.p., the description of the engine and the unladen weight, we should say that it was not likely • to be a, suitable machine for conversion, and that, in any case, the maximum load which you couldicarry, including driver, would be 6 cwt. You ought to be able to make the conversion, if on inexpensive lines, for a "ten-pound note," in the event of your deciding to proceed with it.
"A Chassis to Carry One Ton. . . . Give Me the Cost of Running Same with Two Tons on the Outward Journey."
(4107] (Woollens and Waste).—It is impossible to ' give name and addresses of people who can give you prompt delivery. Practically no maker can deliver a British-niade chassis at the moment. You ask in the early part of your letter for a chassis to carry a one-ton load, and lower down for the cost when it is carrying a two-ton load. If you wish to carry a twoton net load, you must specify this. If you submit your requirements wrongly to any chassis maker, or on trying to buy a second-hand vehicle, you will only have yourself to blame if you find repairs prohibitive, and suffer the consequences of breakdowns. A 'vehicle for a two-ton net load should average about nine miles to the gallon of petrol. You might not succeed in getting any petrol from the Petrol Control Committee, and we estimate that they would not allow more than 40 gallons per month in any event. Any type of final drive should be satisfactory for your purposes. We doubt if you will succeed in finding a good secondhand machine available at less than about 2300' to