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SOME HELPFUL IDEAS.

30th March 1926, Page 33
30th March 1926
Page 33
Page 33, 30th March 1926 — SOME HELPFUL IDEAS.
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Experiences of Some of Our Driver and Mechanic Readers which may Prove Useful to Others.

rilHOSE who are employed in heavy haulage work sometimes have to handle boilers, and these cumbersome objects, although they may respond to sheer brute force, need intelligent handling for safe and efficient transport. " G.P.H.," of DeptfOrd, describes a method of loading a Lancashire-type boiler or large cylindrical tank.

As a rule the outfit for such loads consists of a traction engine hauling a trailer. The engine is manceuvred so as to be at right angles to the trailer and a little distance from it. The• boiler is parallel to the trailer, lying on the ground, and -sloping skids are used, these being as long as possible, to give a gentle angle. The lower ends of the skids should be bevelled to offer no projections at the ends where the boiler strikes them, and the upper ends should be cot away on the undersides so as to fit snugly down on to the tops of the trailer wheels, telling care, of course, to see that the upper ends of the skids are not higher or lower than the platform of the trailer on which tho boiler is to be carried.

Having fixed the skids and got the boiler into the right position against them, the traction engine is rnanceuvred so that its towing coupling is in line with the centre of the boiler. The winding rope is payed out, carried over the boiler at the top, and the ring or shackle at the end, atter passing under the boiler, is secured to the coupling of the tractor.

The engine is started up and the cable wound in, rolling the boiler in the loop. Care bassto be taken that the last few feet of cable come in slowly, otherwise there will be a tendency for the boiler to be pulled on to the trailer and off it again towards the engine. An important point, states " G.P.11," is to calculate the length of the skids and the starting position of the boiler so that it will roll into position on the trailer with its fine tubes at the bottom, thus keeping the weight down, otherwrse there might be a tendency to topple over, due to a high centre of gravity.

IN many cases the ordinary towrope is

difficult to use, and there is an element of danger in such eases as the-vehicle in tow having bad brakes or a broken cardau shaft when the service brake is on the transmission. " A.D.," of Lon

donderry, suggests the use of a towing bar, which can be made out of scrap metal, the parts being made of suitable size according to the average class of work for which it will be used.

First, as regards the end fitted to the towing car. A two-piece clip is made to fit round the rear axle, the halves being held together by means of bolts and nuts. Drilled tl:Nugh one of the halves is a hole to take a bolt which is bent over at its threaded end to form a loop. Through this loop fits another one which has a round shank fitting tightly inside a length of gas pipe forming the actual towing bar. The loop end is fixed into the pipe by means of rivets; a similar eye, fixed in a like manner, is fitted to the end which is coupled to the towed vehicle.

A suitable clamp is made to go round the beam of the front axle of the disabled car and proper cormection is made between it and the eye on the cad of the towing bar.

A SPARE two-gallon can of petrol slung carelessly into the back of a lorry will soon lose all its contents as it gets crushed and broken by vibration and the load. A far better method of carrying reserve fuel is to make a proper holder for the can, and " G.A.L.," of* Washington, suggests a simple design. It consists of three parts, one is a simple U-bolt threaded at both ends and fixed through the running board. This serves as a hinge for an "L "-shaped metal strap which is drilled at its free end to accommodate the upper end of a long bolt, also passing through the running beard and surmounted by a wing nut. To fit the tin into position the long bolt is pushed down slightly and the can slipped into position, the metal strap passing under the handle. The bolt is then pushed up again through the strap and the nut tightened down.

Another useful tip given by " G.A.L." consists of fitting several screwed hooks under the rear of the body on which nonskid chains may be carried. This position is handy and unobtrusive.

There is-little risk of loss, as it is a: remote possibility that the chain could jump off all the hooks at one time, espe-, dally if they were all turned to different angles. Muddy chains carried in this position soon clear themselves of dirt by• means of vibration.

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Locations: Washington

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