Q operate two eight-wheeled tiPpersa 1951 Leyland Octopus and a 1954 Albion. What will be their plated gross weights?
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Could I raise the braking power of these vehicles if I fitted brake drums to the second steering axle which would result in the foot brake operating on all eight wheels and could this be supplemented by the handbrake?
AAccording to the Ministry of Transport Standard Lists, both the 1951 Leyland Octopus and the 1954 Albion will be plated for 22 tons gross.
Fitting brakes to the second steering axles will certainly improve the braking performance. But if you were thinking of applying both the foot and handbrake to reach the minimum standard then this is not acceptable as the regulations say "by one means of application".
CM'S recent article describing the pro cedure for goods vehicle plating and testing stated that operators must apply to the Goods Vehicle Centre at Swansea for the necessary forms and test date_ I have seen the same advice given elsewhere but our local Ministry of Transport examiner has told us that in the first instance we do not have to apply but that the Ministry will call in our vehicles when they are ready for us. Is this true?
A The information from the Ministry of ^ Transport is quite definite about the point which you raise. Application forms for the Test (forms VTG1 and VTG2) can be obtained from any Ministry of Transport Traffic Area Office, from any testing station that is open, or from the goods vehicle centre at Swansea by post. But the operator of the vehicles must take the initiative in sending the application forms to Swansea. Part 2 of the form may be sent at any time in advance of the test date required, but should be at least one month in advance; part 1 of the form, accompanied by the proper test fee, should be sent not later than one month in advance of the test date.
The misunderstanding may have arisen because, as is now common with the car testing scheme, the Ministry "calls forward" the relevant vehicles by means of national Press and television publicity, warning owners that vehicles of such and such a type or age must be tested before such and such a date. You may have noticed that in the past week the first of these Ministry advertisements has been appearing in the daily Press, referring to the first category of goods vehicles eligible for tests.
QWhat will be the plated g.v.w. for the following six-wheeled bulk tippers: 1961 Albion Reiver Re27, 1962/3 Albion Reiver RE29T and 1963 Dodge D308 with York trailing axle?
ASo far as we are aware the three models you mention should not require modification—and certainly none of an extensive nature to pass the test for plating at the braking standards that will have to be complied with (the "interim" ones which require 40 per cent service brake efficiency and 15 per cent secondary brake (hand-brake) for multi-axle vehicles).
According to the Standard Lists published by HMSO for the Ministry of Transport the 1961 Re27 will be plated for 18 tons with 7 tons for each of the rear axles and 5 tons for the. front or 5.25 tons if it has 16-leaf by 3in. thick front springs. The 1962/63 Albion Reiver RE29T will be plated for 18 tons or 20 tons if it has a 10-stud front axle and in both cases the axles will be plated for 5,25 tons front and 8 tons rear.
However, Standard Lists for your thirdaxle conversion have not yet been published and we suggest you write to Dodge Bros, co Rootes Motors Ltd., Dunstable. Beds., if it was a factory-listed conversion, or to York Trailer Co. Ltd., Corby, Northants.
Q/ have applied to vary my licence by adding a platform lorry but have since found that a tipping lorry would suit my purpose better. Must I re-apply and have the application re-published.
A Objectors to your application may have ^ based their objection on the type of vehicle proposed to be used and if so the LA will almost certainly direct you to re-apply.
To illustrate the point, a recent application by William Joy Ltd. of Charlton, London, for an additional articulated vehicle to be added to its A licence took some unusual turns over the question of the type of the trailer when the case was argued before Mr. D. I. R. Muir, the Metropolitan Licensing Authority. The application form had described the vehicle sought to be authorized as a low-loader. When the vehicle was described in court and a photograph produced, counsel for the objectors, Pickfords Ltd., declared that it was a semi-low-loader and in consequence the hearing ought not to proceed as the application would need to be re-published. The LA agreed that this was so.
After a short consultation with counsel the applicants asked that the hearing should proceed on the basis of the application as published, namely for a low-loader to be acquired. The LA agreed to proceed, the case was then fought out and the application granted.
U/ am at present using a Ford "Truck/
Van Performance Calculator" to obtain road speed and gradient ability but as it has no cursor accurate reading is difficult. Is there a proprietary calculator on the market which is easier to read and more precise in use?
AWe know of no proprietary calculator of this type. It is usual for these instruments to be designed for specific makes of vehicle and for them to be supplied by the manufacturers. This makes for simplicity because a limited range of axle ratios and tyre sizes can be accommodated.
However, we consider that an approximate reading is all that is required in these circumstances as the figures obtained on such a calculator are based on theoretical values and many factors can affect the actual performance of a vehicle.
QAs retailers offering a delivery service we operate three vans—an Austin J2, first registered on February 1 1966, another Austin J2 (May I 1967) and a Bedford 8cwt van (March 19 1968). All three vehicles do not exceed 30cwt unladen.
What are our obligations for having these vehicles tested and fitted with seat belts?
AAll three vehicles come under the testing scheme which is applicable to cars and is carried out at appointed garages. This currently includes three-year-old cars and commercial vehicles not exceeding 30cwt unladen.
None of your vans has therefore to be put through a test yet but the oldest of the Austins will be due for one on February 1, 1969.
Regarding seat belts, 1967 and 1968 vans should have them fitted for the driver and front seat passenger if a front seat passenger seat is fitted. But the legislation which calls for the fitting of belts in 1965 and 1966 cars does not apply to commercial vehicles. Therefore your 1966 Austin does not need them.