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Passing Comments

2nd March 1951, Page 28
2nd March 1951
Page 28
Page 29
Page 28, 2nd March 1951 — Passing Comments
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Weight Limit ACCORDING to an M.o.T.Problems Now Facing 1--1 certifying officer, a big Bus Operators . . • technical problem facing bus operators to-day is the matter of the steadily increasing weight of new vehicles. Heavier engines and brake-operating equipment, stouter steering gears, and so on, are bringing axle weights very close to the -maximum loading allowed. As a result, such important developments as power operation fot the steering, and certain other refinements, may prove to be unacceptable unless weight can be saved elsewhere or the limits raised.

Abnormal Indivisible IF there be any glamour at

Glamour in Road all in road transport, surely Transport. . much of it is possessed by

carriers of abnormal indivisible loads. Whenever some unusually awkward object is taken through a town, it can be guaranteed that crowds of spectators will foregather to watch such a large outfit on its course, give voice knowledgeably about technical details of the operation in hand and become as excited as the rules of mass psychology will allow. For many people, we suspect, such an occasion is as good as a football match. Perhaps there are commercial possibilities. "Tickets at 3s. 6d. each to witness the transport of a 150-ton turbogenerator into Battersea Power Station. Proceeds to the Free Hauliers' Temperance Society." Seriously, however, when it is considered how much attention is paid by the public to such affairs, each A26

conducted by free enterprise affords an ideal opportunity to blow a discreet but effective blast upon the private-enterprise trumpet. We were pleased to find that one prominent operator had done so, by the emblazonment of appropriate slogans on his vehicles, when we watched the movement of a heavy load in London recently.

THE man who introduced to this country the repairing of tyres by vulcanization as a trade service, Mr. William Frost, died at Worthing on February 16 following a long period of illness. For many years he was connected with the well-known concern of Harvey Frost and Co., Ltd., and later became managing director of William Frost Products, Ltd., one of the specialities of which was devices for rapid vulcanizing, each patch being accompanied by its own heating agent. • He might well also be called the father of the garage-equipment industry in this country. Of a cheerful, friendly nature, he had many friends in the industry. He was one of the heaviest smokers we have met, and at one time was using 100 cigarettes a day. He told us years ago of his feeling of nausea when he awakened, following an operation under chloroform, to find cigarettes beside his bed, the surgeon ordering him to smoke half a dozen or so within the first 30 minutes. This was to avoid the shock to his heart of a sudden complete cessation from the effects of the "weeds."

The Industry Loses a Pioneer of Garage Equipment .

Technical Service of THOSE concerned with Interest to Bodya bodybuilding, including builders the suppliers of seats, uphol stery material, finishes and other requisites connected with this important section of the industry, will be interested in the technical information service of The Furniture Development Council, 11, Adelphi Terrace, Robert Street, London, W.C.2, which has recently published its first Technical Bulletin. The subscription for this, with binder, is 30s. for six issues, including postage. The subjects covered include: Materials, machining and processes, developments in radio-frequency heating, finishing, upholstery and applied science. Reference is also made to articles of special interest in the Trade Press, and space is devoted to useful questions and answers. The Council is fully representative. Coke Dust Which 'THE handling of certain

Makes Brakes Less I materials, such as coke,

Efficient which are often loaded from hoppers, may result in clouds of fine dust. One would not think that this would have any serious effect on vehicles, but at least in one instance a serious loss of braking efficiency was eventually traced to glazing of the facings caused by the presence of this fine substance. The fault was brought to the attention of the manufacturer of the friction material. In consequence, a special type of facing was developed, which would retain its efficiency indefinitely under such conditions, without any unusual attention in respect of cleaning or roughening. The incident indicates the useful co-operation which can be achieved between an operator and a sympathetic and appreciative manufacturer.


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