The Drivers' Column.
Page 15
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T. M. (Edinburgh) writes :—" I have been a driver of steam wagons for some considerable time, and greatly interested in them. I think it is a great pity that spring washers are not more universally used in both steam and petrol industrial vehicles. At one time I was driving a lorry in a rough and hilly district, which used to shake every bolt loose after running a comparatively few miles. I bought some spring washers, and put one under practically every nut on the machine, the result being a big saving in time and worry. A ' dab ' from a centre punch, where thread of bolt leaves nut will prevent trouble."
G.W. (Sunderland) writes ;—" I think the following incident will prove interesting as showing how a difficulty was overcome by the roadside without proper tools or materials. Some time ago I was driving a steam tractor, with a single cylinder, and drawing a trailer wagon. When about 12 miles from home the bottom or reversing eccentric seized on the sheave without the slightest warning, and broke the eccentric rod into two pieces before I could stop the engine. I did not at first know what to do, but, after thinking out the matter, I disconnected the broken rod and hunted round for a long bolt. This I placed in the bottom hole of the slot link, and lashed its ends firmly to the drag Links. I was now without a reverse, and so could not move backwards should occasion arise. I had a difficulty in starting up the engine, as the gear had to be put in the neutral position and the fly-wheel turned round until the crank was on the centre, after which the gear was put in and steam turned on. My greatest difficulty was that, when I had to stop for any traffic, I had to go through the process of turning the fly-wheel round again. However, I managed to get home without further mishap."
II.W. (Brentford) writes :—" A short time ago I was driving a steam lorry down Egham Hill with the steam shut off. When nearly at the bottom I was aware of a ' knocking ' in some part of the engine, which sounded rather serious, so I got down and tried to find out the cause. I was not long in doing so, for when I took the cover of the h.p. cylinder off I found that the piston ring was broken into two or three pieces, one of which had become jammed in the steam port and knocked the piston about a good deal. This happened some 12 miles from home, and it was also too late in the day to send for a fitter to help me, so I had to turn to and do the best possible under the circumstances. First of all I removed the cover of the engine head, and, after disconnecting the piston rod, drove both it and the piston to the hack end of the cylinder. After this the cover was replaced, first screwing up the piston rod gland to prevent steam leakage. Steam was then turned on gently. The greatest difficulty was found in the fact that, only baying one crank in use, the engine had to he kept going to prevent it stopping on a dead centre. But I found that, with care, I could run the 12 miles home, which I did without further trouble."