Servicing a Popular Make in London
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Dennis Specialist's Replacement Schemes Expedite Service Operations. Spares Instantly Available
THE importance of careful and regular maintenance of commercial vehicles cannot be overstressed, and there is a wide demand to-day for rapid and efficient service, so that a vehicle miry be out of commission for the shortest possible period, when 'maintenance operations or repairs are re
quired. • To give speedy -service it is essential that a complete stock of spares be instantly available. Many vehicle owners have frequently been disappointed at the delay occasioned in obtaining spares for urgent jobs.
Hauliers operating Dennis vehicles in the London area are, therefore, fortunate in being able to call upon the services of Smiths Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., York Road, London, N.7, which is not only the distributor for London for this popular make, but is engaged solely on Dennis sales and service.
Realizing the need for close attention to the servicing requirements of users, this concern has studied carefully the question of spares, and holds a large stock of genuine Dennis parts. It has also devised schemes whereby replaceinent of major units may be effected in the minimum time and at reasonable expense.
For example, instead of undertaking major overhauls, the concern has a scheme for replacing engines with reconditioned units. Such work can be carried out in 12 hours, provided prior notice is given, and the cost of -replacement is small, The cost of reconditioning the old engine varies, of course, with its condition, but the operator is given maximum and minimum figures for the work, no that he knows in advance what he is likely to be called upon to pay within reasonably close limits.
The charge for changing the engine also varies according to the type. For example, £4 is the quoted price for replacing the engine of the 30-cwt, normalcontrol model, and the work is carried out in 12.hours, as previously stated.
Similarly, other units may be re. placed in the same way, and in the case of a damaged radiator, for instance, a new unit in supplied, the cost being only for the repair or replacement of the damaged section, plus the labour involved in changing the complete unit. Should only one section of
the radiator be damaged, the time saved is considerable, and by adopting this method the vehicle is enabled to resume operation with the minimum of delay.
Re-facing of brakes is also expedited by the provision of new or re-conditioned shoes, which are supplied complete with the facings, an allowance being made for the old shoes, Where replacement units are not re quired, the concern is well equipped to carry out repair and. maintenance work, but, wherever possible, replacement units are used.
The fitting of cylinder liners and valve inserts is another important branch of the concern's activities, and here again, to save delay, a small stock of cylinder blocks is held ready lined, and with or without valve inserts.
The staff has been trained • at the Dennis works, so that each member is an expert on these vehicles ; in addition, many specialized Dennis production tools are maintained in the interests of efficiency. A valuable feature is that the service described is available both day and night, and, by arrangement, it is possible for many jobs to be completed outside the normal working hours of the vehicle, thus entirely avoiding keeping it off the road.