Opinions from Others.
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The Editor invites correspondenr-e on all sublects connected with the use of conimer.-ial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only, and type-written bypreference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be withheld.
The Value of " C.M." Publicity.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1223] Sir,—It may interest you to know that as a result of an advertisement in your paper this company has been formed. I first noticed the word " Liga " in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, and, being responsible under a contract for the running of a large fleet on the mileage basis, I made inquiries and found that the Liga works were well established and strongly financed. I sent them an order for a dozen sets. After these tires had been running a considerable time I made an inspection, accompanied by two independent tire experts, and the report was so encouraging that I went over to Frankfurt and returned with a contract giving Liga Tyres, Ltd., the sole and exclusive right of sale in England, India, and the Colonies, of what I believe to be a tire of the first rank. We sell the tires right out or run vans on the mileage basis.—Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of LIGA TYRES LTD., S. PATERSON. Atlas Resilient Wheels.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1224] Sir,---In your issue of the 5th June, there is a letter from one of your correspondents as to the fitting of solid tires on light vehicles. They have evidently overlooked the fact that there is now on the market a resilient wheel giving the advantages of the pneumatic tire—at the cost per mile of solids— with all the a.dvantages of the former without their drawbacks. As evidence of the reliability and value of our patent wheel, repeat orders have recently been placed with us from Messrs. Selfridge and Messrs. J. Lyons and Co., and others. We have also been favoured with a contract for an extended period to fit wheels to a fleet of 25 cwt. cars, after a successful six months preliminary trial. They are also in regular service on a car weighing bi tons loaded. This is proof that there is ample strength in the oonstruction of our wheel for general use.—Yours faithfully,
For AIRLESS RESILIENT WHEEL'S, LTD.,
J. A. CONNOLLY, Managing Director. Bulstrode Mews,
Marylebone Lane, W.
The Need for Perfect Lubrication.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1225] Sir,—We have lately had a curious case of carbon deposit brought to our notice. The deposit, which was very extensive, was confined to the inside of the top of the four pistons. There was no appreciable deposit on the tops of the pistons or valves.
We had the deposit specially examined by oil experts, who reported that the oil was of very low flash point, and of an easily carbonizing character. This would tend to give considerable trouble in the engine by the carbon's dropping off and getting into the oil, where it would probably block the strainer and act as a mild abrasive, causing rapid wear of bearings. Although it amounts to a truism nowadays to say that satisfaction can only be obtained from the use of motor vehicles by attention to important things such as the quality of lubricating oil used, we think it is in the interests of both users and manufacturers that we should take this opportunity of again laying stress on this most important matter.
A cheap oil will inevitably turn out the most expensive in the end.—Yours faithfully, For COMMERCIAL CARS, LTD., E. L. COXIIEAD, Works Manager. A Plea for the American Truck : a. Satisfied "La France" User.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1226] Sir,—Permit us to take exception to a. correspondent's recent sweeping condemnation of the American commercial vehicle. Whilst his commentary is no doubt correct as a general thing, in view of the large number of firms over there who are rushing into the commercial business with converted pleasure-car chassis and all sorts of other contraptions, it is unfair to tar the entire industry with the same brush.
We venture to assert that the leading makes of American truck—as it is termed there—are equal in point of reliability and practicality to anything produced on this side ; but the price is substantially higher, just as is the case in the pleasure car side of the industry. Commercial vehicles of the conventional type, like the "Packard" for instance, are equal to anything produced anywhere, whilst as to the reliability and practicality and efficiency of the La France Hydraulic wagons, whose interests we represent, we cannot do better than quote a letter written by the owner of the first of these wagons supplied to the general public, to a third party, which discloses a record of performance unequalled and, we believe, unsurpassed by any other vehicle in the world. Mr. H. Gridley, the mine superintendent of the Santa Fe Gold and Copper Mining Co. of San • Pedro, New Mexico, wrote on 8th January last as follows :— " I am in receipt of your favour of 4th January in regard to the service we are receiving from our La France truck. In this connection I would state that we have our truck at work between our smelter and our coal mine, a distance of approximately 16 miles. We make the round trip, going to the coal mine empty and returning with six tons, we negotiate one grade over 8 per cent. which is fully three-quarters of a mile long. The truck takes this grade very easily without steaming the water in the radiator. For the last five miles before we reach the smelter plant we have a continuous up grade, and in two or three places the grade is over 20 per cent. for short pulls of possibly 50 feet. We have hauled as much as seven tons up this grade, and have never yet been stuck.
"Our gasolene consumption varies between 12 and 13 gallons (U.S. gallons of 128 ozs.) for a round trip. Our tires have stood up extremely well, and we have not yet replaced the original set. We shall probably still get a couple of months' service from them.
"As an instance of the immense pulling power of the La France truck, I would state that our Rumley Oil Pull tractor, which weighs between 13 and 14 tons, met with an accident some eight miles below our plant, and had to be pulled up for repairs. We hooked on to the tractor with our truck, the truck being loaded with about three tons, and pulled the tractor up within a mile of the plant on a continual grade, and in at least three places the truck pulled the tractor over a grade of more than 6 per cent. "The simplicity of operation of the La France truck is one of its strongest features, and the fact that it can be stopped and started on the heaviest sort of grades with absolutely no difficulty is another feature which we greatly appreciate.
"Should there be any specific information which you desire in regard to the truck, I will be very glad to send you same." Trusting that in justice to the highest class of American machines you will insert this letter. Yours faithfully, BRAMCO LTD. n11