NEW ALUMINIUM-BASE BEARING METAL.
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DESIG N ATE 1) RRAC9, an aluminium-base alloy is now produced for bearings by Wellworthy Piston Rings, Ltd., Lymington, Hants. That it possesses properties rendering it superior, in certain respects, to whitemetal or lead-bronze appears to be evidenced by a test to which a specinn-n was: recently subjected.
According to the Wellworthy cornj•any's report, an engine was run, at the works of a prominent commercialvehicle maker, with RRAC9 bearings fitted, intentionally, with insufficient clearance. The immediate consequence was a pronounced loss in power. Instead of the engine being shut down, however. it was run continuously at full load for 20 hours, by which time the output was normal.
Subsequent examination revealed that the effect of the high temperature, caused by the initial tightness of the bearing, had not been disintegration of the metal or damage to the cranksha ft. Signs of partial seizure were aliparent, hut measurement stunted that the alloy had spread by an amount sufficient to afford desirable clearance an(l was functioning efficiently.
It would seem logical to anticipate, therefore, that a bearing correctly fitted and run under fair conditions would. have exceptional qualities of durability.
SPECIAL LORRY FOR POLE ERECTING.
THE extension of electricity supplies in New South Wales, Australia, has resulted in the Government's Public Works Department placing an order with Leyland Motors, Ltd., for a sixwheeled lorry with special equipment for the erection of poles. The machine will be equipped with three poles, one telescopic, which can be quickly erected, by means of a winch, to form a tripod with a pulley at the apex.
When detachable jacks are placed at the rear of the vehicle to give stability, a winch will then be able to hoist poles of 45 ft. to 65 ft, length and hold them in a vertical position while they are embedded in the ground.