Time-table Working Speeds-up Deliveries
Page 45
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How the Business of Messrs. Oldroyd's Road Services Has Been Built-up by Giving Reliable and Efficient Service
F"goods vehicles to have replaced trams is an unusual state of affairs. hut that is what has happened at Batley. for Messrs. Oldroyd's Road Services, prominent local hauliers, found a need for additional garage accommodation in 1936 and took over what: formerly had been the local tram depot, this having been vacated when buses were put into operation three years previously. Furthermore, it has proved easily adaptable to the new conditions.
Mr. George Oldroyd, Junr„ entered the transport business in January, 1932, at the age of '21. He had been apprenticed to the motor trade, but there did not appear to be prospects of sufficient development to justify his continuing on the repair side, But the nerd for improved transport in the district was apparent. Carpet yarn was being sent from the neighbourhood to the carpet mills at Kidderminster and some local manufacturers were troubled by the fact that rail transit sometimes occupied as much as four days. Clearly, road haulage could offer something better, and the outcome of discussions on the matter was that Mr. Oldroyd, Senr., gave his son a Leyland Cub as a coming-of-age present. Soon, local business houses were getting following-day delivery over long distances.
Driving this first vehicle himself, Mr. George Oldroyd quickly built up a profitable business, working mainly on runs to Kidderminster and Liverpool. To meet the need for further tonnage, a Leyland Bull was obtained in the following July, soon to be followed by two trailers. Then in 1933,
Bed ford-Scammell and a BedfordCarrimore articulated outfit were purchased. Now the fleet consists of five Leylands (a Bull, a Hippo, a Badger and two Beavers), two Thornycrofts (a Trusty and a Sturdy), a Commer 1.,NS, an E.R.F. with six-cylindered Gardner engine, and three trailers.
" My father came into the business in 1933, after being associated with the cotton trade for 41 years," Mr. Oldroyd told The Commerciai Motor. As a result of his long experience of costing, Mr. Oldroyd, Senr., was able to keep a close check on the profitable operation of the fleet. Hauliers, he contends, have a definite service to sell and they ought to work strictly to economic: rates for their own good and for the good of the industry. He is a great admirer of S.T.R., The Commercial 1.10r costs expert.
Loads of Government Blankets.
Dativ trips are made to Kidderminster and Birmingham, whilst regular services cover Liverpool and Hull; in addition there is a considerable amount of traffic carried on Scottish journeys.. With headquarters in the largest blanket-manufacturing area in the world, the fleet carries great quantities of Government blankets for delivery to military and naval depots right from Stirling down to Dover.
Mr. Oldroyd, Junr., has had wide driving experience on the various routes and the working of the fleet is planned so that drivers should be able to adhere to a definite time-table, the objective lasing to have the vehicle at the mill, say, five minutes before the
time advised for picking up. Maintenance of such strict schedules, however, has become increasingly difficult in view of the present. licensing restric tions,. As it is frequently necessary
for loads to be on the road, or parked in the open, at night, drivers have to use great care in sheeting-up properly, and heavy sheets are employed, being doubled if necessary. On returning from his journey each man enters in the report book any attention that is required by his vehicle.
A maintenance engineer and assistant are employed and all the usual garage equipment is available. Washing and greasing take place during the night, at weekly intervals, the fleet being consistently maintained in a smart condition. Lubricating oil is changed on the first day of each month, Price's C being used on petrol vehicles, and Germ and Castrol oils for the oil engines.
Normally, decarbonizing is done at 60,000 miles and, if possible, the machine is run up to 100,000 miles. then being sent to the manufacturer for overhaul or the fitting of a service engine. The handling of this work by the manufacturers has proved to be by far the most expeditious method. Brakes are tested by a Fero& brake. testing meter at six-monthly intervals and for replacement purposes Ferodo facing is universally used. Dominion products form the chief tyre stock.
A recent development is the use of Luber-finer oil cleaner which has been fitted to the Thornycroft Sturdy. Since it has been in operation, 2,000 miles have been covered, but the oil is stated to be quite clear and the engine in excellent condition. Following the satisfactory result of this trial other vehicles may be similarly equipped.