Double-decker Washed in 2 Min.
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'THE latest types of Midland " Red " I doubleand single-deck bus were used last week for a demonstration of the Essex washer with roof-cleaning attachment at the Worcester depot of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd. The roof washer is manufactured by Stratstone, Ltd., 40 Berkeley Street, London, W.1, and may be fitted to any of the existing machines produced by the company, or may be supplied as an integral part of new equipment.
• The frame carrying the roof-washer is attached to the rear trunk of the machine. The five brush section's have universal joints to enable them to accommodate widely differing roof contours, and are driven independently of the side brushes by an electric motor.
An automatic switch, actuated by a feeler when it contacts the leading edge of the roof, stops the machine at the correct height when it is being lowered into the operating position. The vehicle is then driven forward until the brushes have travelled the full length of the roof, revolving at about 450 r.p.m. in multiple jets of water, supplied at a pressure of 30-40 p.s.i.
When the bus has travelled its full length, which is indicated by a lightray-operated warning lamp, the machine is lowered over the bus in the normal way, and the attachment cleans the rear of the vehicle while the main brushes wash the sides. When nearing the floor a cable-and-pulley device automatically causes the attachment to move outwards on swinging arms to enable the washer to reach the lowest level of its normal travel. When it is raised to the roof after use, the washer is automatically stopped.
During the demonstration, a Midland " Red" D.7 double-deck bus was washed with water and an S.14 singledecker with detergent by one operative, who manually cleaned the wheels and so on. A double-decker can normally be washed with water in 34 min., or in 2 min, if two men are employed. Cleaning with detergent occupied little more than 6 min.
According to a representative of Stratstone, Ltd., the brushes, including those used for side washing, will, under average conditions, complete 40,000 operations before renewal of the fibres is necessary. The cost of renewal is £36.
Some 300 Essex washers have been supplied to operators in this country. Between 600 and 700 Midland " Red " buses are cleaned with them daily.