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Punched-card will record vehicle faults at test stations
Page 66
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ADEFECT' card itemized from 1 to 57, printed in a round-the-clock fashion, will be hung on each goods vehicle entering the test bay at a Ministry of Transport testing station, and each fault that an examiner finds will be recorded by punching out an oblong slot opposite the numbered defect. The Ministry considers this as foolproof a system as any, members of the Press were told when they attended a dummy run staged at the pilot MoT goods vehicle testing station at Hendon, London, this week.
The demonstration showed the system which will be used at the 68 testing stations when plating and testing start next year. For the dummy run a 1959 Albion four-wheeled platform vehicle was used, but the general procedure did not differ from that recorded in detail in COMMERCIAL MOTOR on April 14.
Also shown this week was a load simulator, which looks something like a mobile crane but has twin pads fitted to the end of the jib arm to transmit loads from 1 to 5 tons to the platform or floor of the vehicle—and so to the road wheels, so that an empty vehicle can be tested for brake efficiency calculated according to the load imposed.
This simulator is hydraulically operated by a priming handle, the loads being registered on a clock dial.
Mr. Stephen Swingler, Joint Parliamentary Secretary, outlined the procedure for testing at this week's demonstrations. Afterwards questions were answered—with the aid of five members of MoT staff. Typical points raised were: If a vehicle is loaded with sand, what percentage of overweight will the Ministry allow if it gets wet? It was explained that at first 10 per cent had been thought fair, but after research it was found that wet sand sheds water in transit and the only open load to hold water for any length of time was bricks, which absorbed about 4.75 per cent additional weight: therefore 5 per cent would be a more practical allowance.
Another question: What constitutes acceptable tyre wear? Answer: Visible tread over the width of a tyre would be sufficient to avoid a GV9. A C. and U. amendment is likely to clarify this.
It was asked who was responsible if a vehicle on its way back to its depot after imposition of an immediate GV9 (implying unroadworthiness) was involved in an accident. Answer: When he issues an immediate GV9 the examiner will decide whether the vehicle may or may not be driven back to its depot; if not, then it will have to be transported.
Also revealed this week: a pre-testing manual setting out the requirements will soon be published by MoT.