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Opinions from Others.

30th November 1911
Page 16
Page 16, 30th November 1911 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Mixed Treads for Vehicle Wheels.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,457] Sir,—In reply to " RE." in your issue of the 16th inst., as an inventor of a resilient wheel, I tried various materials for the treads. Of all the substances tried, vulcanized fibre gave the best result. It has the following advantages: mile for mile it is cheaper than rubber—about 30 per cent. ; it will not cut or chip like rubber ; it gives a good grip on the various road surfaces; it is the best non-skid that I have used ; it is comparatively quiet, and wears about equal to the iron. To my mind, it is an ideal tread in connection with a resilient wheel, where economy, freedom from tire troubles, and safety are the great desiderata.

Wheels and tires are the weak spots in motor transport, and, while every motor user admits that something more 4 wanted, you rarely meet one willing to give a trial to anything off the beaten track. I am keenly interested in this question, and would willingly co-operate with anyone disposed to go further in this matter. At present. I am not sure whether I am lacking in business ability or whether it is the motoring public who are too slow in grasping a simple fact.— Yours faithfully, ALL-ROUND."

Relative Tire Wear on Steam and Petrol Buses. The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

We have rereired the following letter in response to a query raised by vs with Mr. Clifford.—ED.] [1,458] Sir,—In answer to your letter, I have to inform you that it is a fact that the mileage obtained from tires on our steam omnibuses appears to be very much larger than the mileage obtained from tires on petrol buses. From time to time I have seen advertisements giving selected mileages of tires running on the wheels of petrol chassis, and in nearly every case it appears, from comparison with our own records, that we obtain better results. When it is borne in mind that our old-type buses are practically the heaviest in London, and that a pair of 120 mm. section back-wheel tires have run a mileage of 40,508, which figures we do not consider to be extraordinarily high in comparison with other mileages recorded by our vehicles, I think you will agree that there is a gdod deal of substance in the claim that has been made to the effect that steam buses are easier on tires than petrol-driven vehicles with ordinary forms of change-speed gearboxes.

Apart from the actual records of mileages run, it must be borne in mind that the tires on the back wheels are doing two kinds of work : firstly, porterage, and, secondly, driving stresses. The porterage is common to both petrol and steam vehicles, and the driving stress is common to both so long as the machines are running under the same conditions at constant speed, but during the periods of acceleration, in the case of petrol-driven omnibuses, with three or four-speed gearboxes, a great deal of internal friction is set up in the tire at the point of contact with the road, due to the abnormal shearing stresses which are set up every time that the driver changes speed and engages the clutch. In the case of a steam bus, the acceleration from standing is perfectly gradual, and not by a series of steps.—Yours faithfully,

THE METROPOLITAN STEAM OMNIBUS TD., A. C. CLIFFORD, Co.,iilanager. 111, Lot's Road, Chelsea.

23rd November, 1911.

A Plea for the Driver's Comfort.

The Editor, TEE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,459] Sir,—The advent of bitterly-cold winter winds has accentuated a need which was voiced in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR during the summer months, but at that time the suggestion could easily be ignored by everyone without any particular inconvenience being suffered. 1 now wish to reiterate that need, and to plead for, and strongly emphasize, the desirability of immediate attention being given to the protection of drivers of commercial vehicles. These men are only human, and, although it has often been said that "one can get used to anything," it does not always follow that he can do so. Too frequently buyers of commercial vehicles " spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar." If they would only spend another &:5 or 210 note on the finish of the machine, they might provide their drivers with such protection as is given by a good windscreen, an extended canopy and side doors. Their fitting would not detract from the efficiency of the lorry, and it would ultimately pay the owner, for it is a proved fact that any consideration shown by an employer is invariably rewarded by the greater efficiency of the employee.

Drivers hesitate to complain to masters or to put forward proposals which mean the expenditure of money. So, as a driver, I think you would be doing good service to many of my comrades if you voiced this need for proper protection. I wish to take this opportunity of asking drivers and owners to say what style of windscreen they have found most efficient on commercial vehicles.—Ymirs faithfully, "FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT."

We heartily concur in many of the views expressed, and we have advocated the protection of the driver at all times.—Enj.

Tags

People: Clifford
Locations: London

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