Answers to, Queries.
Page 18
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Coal for Steam Wagons.
[2079] "CoNsmaxits " write :—" Can you let us have the names of a few good Welsh steam coals, so that we may have a choice at our disposal when making purchaSes of fuel for our steam wagons and tractors ? "
ANSWER.—The Welsh steam coals which are best known to us are Nixon's Navigation, Ferndale, Dowlais and Cwmarnan. We do not know the exact arrangements for supplies in all parts of the country, but we have no doubt that any coal merchant would obtain supplies on demand. The Dowlais coal works out a little cheaper than Nixon's: Navigation, but is a little more than Ferndale ; is. per ton either way will cover it, in the London district. We find that various owners speak well of their experiences with any and all of the above fuels, but there are naturally individual preferences.
Wants Detachable Non-skids for Use on Solid-tired Lorries.
[2080] "DUMFRIES" writes :—" Will you kindly let me know what type of detachable non-skids are now proving of use for lorries with solid-rubber tires ? "
ANSWER.—We understand that satisfaction is being given to many owners of rubber-tired vehicles by the de Fornier attachment— J. de Former, 100, Shaftesbury Avenue, W.C. This consists of a. chrome-leather cover attached to wrought-iron segments, in six parts, inside and outside, which are bolted together. On the crown of the cover a second piece of chrome leather is riveted, and on top of them, to form the tread, a third piece of about half the width of the second one. Four rows of studs are riveted through the top and second layers of leather, and, when worn, it is an easy matter to remove these two top layers, .and either to restud or retread them. Experience and use have chiefly been obtained in fire-brigade work.
Making One Motorcab Pay in the Country.
[2081] " Bums" writes :—" I should be much obliged if you could suggest a correct scale for allowing depreciation rates, interest on first outlay, insurance, and any other standing costs of a. new taxicab which cost £370. Also, as I have only one cab, being used in a country district, what do you consider I must take per mile to make the cab pay? My average running is 125 miles per week, including return journeys at half-fares, viz., 5d. per mile."
ANswER.—If you are able to earn 10d, per mile when " fare " is in the cab, and to obtain half-fares for the return journeys, the cab ought to pay you. You would, however, make more sure of the cab paying if you increased the charges to is. and 6d. respectively.
In some country districts it is the practice to (Marge, half-rates for all empty running, i.e., to charge for the distance which is travelled to pick up the passengers, as well as for the return empty. In the absence of competition, that might be possible for you to do. Even though you drive the cab yourself, there will be nothing much in it for you unless you can see an average earning for every mile run (empty and with passenger added together) of 7d.
If you are likely to sell the cab at an early date, you will undoubtedly have to depreciate it by something like half its first cost. If, on the other hand, you will be keeping the cab for a number of years, depreciation at the rate of 250 per annum, for five years, and thereafter at. the rate of £20 per annum, should meet, the case, provided the cab is at all times carefully driven and well maintained. Interest on outlay depends on the rate of interest which you have to pay for any money that you may have borrowed to buy the cab, if there has been any borrowing. Other
wise, if your own money is invested in the cab, you ought to charge that interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum.
Haulage Contractors' Rates.
[2082] " SAWYER " writes :—" We should be glad if you would let us know the usual charges made by provincial motor-lorry owners for carrying building materials in two or three-ton loads, and also for carrying 11-ft. furniture box vans for removal contractors in the North of England. We want mileage and day rates. We have a three-ton — lorry, and have done some carrying of outside goods with it. We think of extending this business in our diatriet, and we want to be on the right lines for charges."
ANSWER.—Contractors for the class of work which you mention usually base their rates per ton or p'er trip upon a revenue per mile run (reckoning both light and loaded miles together) of not less than is. and frequently of is. 3d., with a minimum daily earning of £3. It seldom pays to do contracting work at lower rates, because provision has to be made for claims for damage to the goods or furniture, and other difficulties which do not arise when owners a,re carrying their own materials. You should also read the article on page 381.
Interested in Electrical Vehicles.
[2083] " SCOTSMAN " writes :—" We are interested in the employment of electrically-propelled commercial vehicles, and we should be obliged if you could indicate to us what progress that branch of the industry has made to date. Perhaps you could give-us an idea of a few manufacturers to whom we might make application in this matter."
ANSWER—There is a strange lack of business interest in this country in electrically-driven vehicles. Greenwood and Batley, Ltd., of Leeds, at one time made very considerable parts of the under-carriages for such vehicles, and probably do so still. H. Sirnonis and Co., of Pretoria Avenue, Walthamstow, handle various types, principally as agents, and the same may be said of the Cedes Electric Traction Co. Ltd., of 112, Gt. Portland Street, W. For light van or ambulance work, probably the vehicles of the type used by the City of London Corporation and the Port of London Authority might interest you : they are supplied by the Electromobile Co., of 7, Hertford Street, Mayfair, W.
If the foregoing information is insufficient for your purpose, we would suggest that you might address the editor of the "Electrician," Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, EC,