AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Answers to Queries.

29th January 1914
Page 34
Page 34, 29th January 1914 — Answers to Queries.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any poirtts connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed ; if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners ; these we never supply. Our advertisement columns are open to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of trade.

Does a Steamer Legally Need a Second Man?

[2298] (Stockport).—It is not compulsory to have a second man with a steamer, unless a trailer is used, and then only in certain circumstances. It is, however, usually expedient to have a second man when a trailer is taken, from the point of view of efficient working.

A Trial Purchase for 10-cwt. Load.

[2299] (Sheffield).—The cast of converting a secondhand vehicle depends upon its condition. You will know how much you wish to spend on the body, but you should normally have no trouble in putting a good second-hand chassis into running condition as regards mechanical overhaul and pneumatic tires for a maximum sum of £30, if you give the job to reasonable people. We recommend you to communicate with reputable makers of 10-cwt. vans, with a request for the offer and photograph of any second-hand 10-cwt. vehicle that may be available.

Horse Dray or Motor Lorry?

[2300] (Comparisons).—We have, as requested, posted a copy of our costs sheet. Working costs for horses and drays vary immensely, but it may be taken that, in a normal town, 12s. per day is the working cost, inclusive of man, maintenance, and all other charges, for a one-horse dray, and 16s. 6d. the oast for a two-horse dray. The loads carried and the distances must vary according to gradients, but the cost very seldom indeed falls below i0d. per mile travelled for such a one-horse dray, and Is. id. per mile travelled for such a two-horse dray.

Front Lifeguards for Motorbuses.

[2301] (Repulsed).—The rewand held out to any inventor of a suitable front lifeguard is the considerable business that the patentee or proprietor should be able to do with the large omnibus companies.

• The proper course to follow is to write, when you are ready, to Mr. W. J. Men, chief engineer to the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., 9, Grosvenor Road, S.W. We do not think that the companies have any intention to laugh at those who have suggestions ; on the contrary, the L.G.O.C. is always ready to consider suggestions in a fair spirit.

One Link Difference Between His Side-chains.

[2302] (Twenty-nine-seater).--It is probable that the old 74-link chain has stretched, and its present length may be nearly that of the new 75-link one. In addition to this, it is possible that the two radius rods are not adjusted equally, so that you may have a greater distance between the chain-wheel centres on one side than on the other. You can easily test this. You must not imagine that the difference in the number of the links makes the slightest alteration in the gearing of the back wheels. Only a change in the number of teeth on either sprocket or chain wheel will effect this. You are not likely to run any risk of damaging the chain drive, although, if the .radiusrad lengths are not equal on both sides, it is obvious that the chain wheels on the hack road wheels will be running slightly out of line with the sprockets. This, of course, will result in increased wear on both chain and wheel-tooth. You can obtain special halflinks, if the addition of a full standard link be too ranch.

G14

Experience with Paraffin Engines.

[2303] (North Wales).—The Dennis motorbus to which you refer is undoubtedly a good type. If you have a special predilection in the direction of paraffin, John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Caxton House, Westminster, S.W., has had much experience.

A 25-cwt. Lorry for Godalming.

[2304] (Crodaiming) —You can probably not do better, having regard to the location of your business, than to apply to the undernoted makers :— Dennis Bros. (1913), Ltd., On,slow Works, Guildford.

John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Basingstoke.

Depreciation: Cigarette Smoking.

[2305] (Southsea).---You will be well on the safe side, subject to normal use, if you allow id. per mile run, with a minimum of 12s. per week. It is because of the small mileage that the necessary depreciation is higher than is shown Oil our costs sheet

for a 10-cwt. van, it is not positively dangerous, although inexpedient, for a man to smoke cigarettes when cleaning the engine. The necessary safeguard is to push the vehicle out of the shed, and to be careful that there is no petrol lying on the ground or about the exterior of the crankcase. The real risk is when the man who is smoking knocks his glowing ash into a pool of petrol, or smokes in the shed.

A Lorry for Local Authority.

[2306] (Kent).—Our sheet of working costs (posted direct) may help you to form some opinion as to running charges, and also as to total charges. You will observe that the incidence of certain of the items is dependent upon average mileage. We cannot very well advise you as to the type of lorry in the absence of information as to the load that is suggested for the vehicle itself, and the weight of the fire-engine which it is proposed to pull. Of course, when towing another vehicle, it is necessary to maintain the weight on the driving axle of the motor lorry, in order to obtain the necessary adhesion. We think you cannot in any event do better than write to representative makers who advertise standard three-ton lorries. We note that the lorry will be used to cart materials, but that your Council desires to have it available to tow the steam fire-engine.

Bought Secondhand by a Carrier.

[2307] (Redditch).—If you register your machine as a hackney carriage, you will not require to secure an ordinary ear licence. You can then pick up your passengers en route, as if you were an ordinarV vehicle plying for hire. You must assure yourself that it is not necessary to secure a local licence to ply for hire in the big towns to which you run. That you can ascertain from the local licensing authorities. No such permit is neoess.ary in many country districts. Working in this way as a, carrier's wagon you will have a right to a rebate of 11d. a gallon on the petrol which you consume. If you carried goods only and never carried passengers, you would not need to take out any licences—not even a hackney-carriage one. Under any circumstances, of course, you must secure a county registration, which conveys to you the identification numbers, by way of transfer of the existing registration, and pay 5s. to the clerk of the authority which issued that registration.

Tags

Organisations: Local Authority
People: W. J. Men
Locations: Sheffield, Stockport

comments powered by Disqus