AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

MAKING WORK EASIER

29th June 1926, Page 27
29th June 1926
Page 27
Page 27, 29th June 1926 — MAKING WORK EASIER
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?

Ideas which Some of Our Driver and Mechanic -Readers Have Found Useful in Their Daily Tasks.

AUSEFUL idea for minimizing accidents when headlights are switched off to avoid dazzle is put forward by of Walton-on-Thames. When two vehicles travelling in opposite directions both "black out" at the same time the drivers' eyes cannot accustom themselves to the sudden change of light and accidents are particularly likely to occur until the normal power of vision returns. The idea of " W.M." is, when the headlights are put out, to switch on at the same time a small fight which will throw its beam towards the near side of the road, thus picking out unlighted objects which may be ahead or showing the course-of the road.

The equipment for obtaining this end consists of a side lamp, as used on the front wings of Ford vehicles and a single-pole double-throw switch. The lamp is fixed under the right-hand wing valance, and is inclined so as to throw its light over to the left some distance ahead.

The positive lead from the main plug is taken to the switch ; from thence two wires run, one to the headlamps which are coupled up in a series, the other to the special side lamp previously mentioned. Thua, either the headlamps or the small light is in operation, but they do not light together. Each lamp arrangement is separately earthed.

DESPITE the increasing popularity of electric lighting Bets on commercial vehicles, acetylene is still used to

a large extent. " W.E.C.," of Andover, describes a fitting which he uses for removing water from the gas before it passes to the lamp burners_ Presuming the generator be fitted to the floorboard of the cab, a 1-lb. carbide tin is clipped to the step bracket by two water-hose dim This tin has the lid soldered in position, also a drain tap at the bottom for removing the trapped water. Passing through the lid are two pieces of pipe, soldered in place, one of which is connected to the generator and the other to the lamps. The carbide tin, being below the level of both generator and lights, collects the water, which can be drained off from time to time. The tin also serves the purpose of a gas reservoir and steadies the pressure, preventing' flickering to a largo extent.

COMPRESSING valve springs is not an easy matter in the absence of special tools, and " G.A.L." of Washington, suggests two useful types of home-made tool for facilitating the job. When it is desired to keep the spring compressed, a holder may be used consisting of two pieces of sheet iron, four nuts and a threaded rod. The strips are slotted to fit round the 'valve stem and the spacing of the two strips is ad justed by means of the nuts. The holder is slipped over the ends of the valve spring when the valve is in the raised, position, and the engine is then turned over until the tappet drops; the spring is now held in a compressed condition and the valve can be moved so that the retaining cotter can be pulled out.

If it be desired entirely to remove the spring, then an open-ended spanner, with the aid of a special wire hook, will help in doing the job. Simply drill a small hole through the shank of the spanner close to the jaw and pass through it the hooked end of a piece of stout wire, the other end of which is formed as an eye to pass over any protruding bolt or stud ; the valve is held down on its seat in the meantime.

OWNERS of steam wagons with the water-tube type of boiler are apt to neglect them, owing to their high efficiency. The proper course is to take them out for a thorough cleaning of the firebox about every 10,000 miles.

Taking the Sentinel as an example, " G-.H.C.," of Nottingham, describes a method of removing the firebox for inspection. The first requirement is a pit 3 ft. 6 ins, deep and wide enough to house the firebox. Clean out the grate and empty the boiler, leaving the plugs out. Next remove the exhaust nozzle, uncouple the pipe leading from the safety valve through the cab top and take off the nuts around the chimney base. Take off the chimney and steam jet,. likewise the seven nuts which hold down the cover door, and the boiler studs will then be exposed. Take out the stoking chute and the super-heater coil, taking care at the same time to soften the copper washers.

Mark one of the long studs of the firebox, also the corresponding hole, and do likewise at the bottom, as it is essential to put the box back in the same position on account of getting at the fusible plug. Take off all except the seven nuts on the long studs.

Turning to the work underneath the box,' remove the drain pipe under the Water heater, the ash-pan and bars, and remove all the bottom nuts, taking off those that hold the fire-door trunnion in thefirst place. The seven remaining nuts on the top may be slackened back about half an inch. The joint may be broken by using 1-in. wedges. When the superheater has been taken away, wedges may be driven round the flange at the top.

Now comes the lowering of the firebox, which should never be done by means of the tubes' but by fixing the sling to a piece of hard wood, 6 ins. by 3 ins., placed across the bottom of the firebox, just to fit between the studs.

An eye-bolt, in. thick, is passed through the centre and two wedges nailed on to the top of the board it each end prevent it moving out of centre. Of course, if a crane be at hand the jab is a quick one, but, if not, a piece of hard wood, 6 ins. by 3 ins., should be laid across the cab and lashed to both stanchions to act as a bearer for the pulley blocks.

The box is lowered by means of blocks, and the wagon is moved back, the next step being to get the box out of the pit by the crane or by fixing the pulleys to beams raised on four oil barrels, two on each side of the pit.

Tags

Locations: Washington, Nottingham

comments powered by Disqus