PR EVE&TIV AINTENANCE DELIVER HE MILK
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HOUSE-TO-HOUSE delivery is one of the most trying tasks to which any vehicle can be set. The vehicle is subject to repeated acceleration and deceleration, and the engine is idling for a large proportion of its time. In North American cities in particular, a van engaged on milk delivery may make more than 100 stops in traversing the length of an ordinary block.
The load is not light, for, in Canada, 30 cases of milk weigh over a ton, and an average vehicle carries 45-55 cases. in addition to eggs, cheese and butter. Another factor affecting vehicle life is the attitude of drivers, who are more concerned with salesmanship than with Mechanical matters.
Those are problems facing Mr. D. R. A. Drummond, fleet superintendent of Elmhurst Dairies, a Canadian concern running 49 delivery vans. The company believes that, to the average housewife. there is nothing cleaner than milk and that dairy products must, therefore, be presented to her in a spotlessly clean , vehicle. Accordingly, every van is washed and polished, inside and outside, each night.
In addition, it is maintained in a high state of mechanical efficiency to remove any possibility of failure in the regular delivery of milk. There is a staff of four full-time mechanics working a nine-hour shift on a 24-hour schedule. An inspector meets every driver as he checks in his vehicle. The driver is required to report any irregularity in the performance of his van.
As soon as the inspector finishes his report; it is turned over to the shop foreman, who makes a requisition for the necessary parts. A stock of reconditioned sub-assemblies is maintained at all times.
It is unusual to find a vehicle in the workshop during the day, except in the case of an accident, or when the regular two-yearly painting is carried out.
Insistence on scrupulous cleanliness is not confined to vehicles and driver-salesmen. Strict lutes are applied to the workshop staff. Every mechanic, before leaving, must sweep his portion of the garage, wipe his tools, put them in their proper places, and clean his work-bench.
• Everything in the garage has its assigned place, and must be kept there. The small-parts stock is neatly piled on shelves, and other components are hung on hooks provided for that purpose. This precaution greatly simplifies the work of taking a regular inventory of spare parts.
Simplicity is Keynote
Maintenance plans were devised to be as efficient, yet as simple, as possible, eliminating all unnecessary printed forms. Printed records are kept only when they are a direct help in the overall maintenance programme.
The polishing schedule is devised so that each vehicle is given a coat of polish at certain prescribed periods This continuous programme serves a profold purpose. It preserves the paintwork to such an extent that the company's regular annual repaint schedule has been extended to two years. Thus, idle time for vehicles has been reduced, and, at the same time, the appearance of the fleet is preserved in a high ,conditiot.
Every year the company purchases aver 150 lb. of polish, and an average of more than 3 lb. is used on each vehicle annually.
Every time a vehicle enters the garage for fuel or service, oil and water levels are checked. Tyres are examined for small cuts or flints, and the tiniest surface cut is repaired at once.
Once a week the batteries are tested, and topped up, if necessary. Once a month each engine block is washed and air cleaners are cleaned and checked. Twice a month each chassis is lubricated, and springs are examined and greased. Wheels are checked for loose nuts and to ensure that there is no leakage of grease.
The sliding door on each side of the cab is inspected and the slide track is lubricated for quiet, easy operation. This also prevents rust from forming as a result of the daily washing of the inside of the body. The transmission system and differential are checked for wear and proper lubrication.
Monthly Inspection
Once every rponth the preventive maintenance programme calls for examination of the starter, fart belt, distributor wiring and points, and lighting system. The cooling system is flushed out, all hose connections tightened and inspected, brakes are tested on the road, and new shoes fitted if necessary. The clutch pedal is adjusted.
Every'three months the carburetter is cleaned and fuel lines blown out, the engine manifolds inspected for leaks and blown gaskets, and the silencer and exhaust pipe examined for rusted joints or loose connections. Sparking plugs are cleaned and gaps adjusted, new gaskets are fitted, and engine compression checked.
All engines are completely rebuilt in the workshop. After overhaul they are given a running-in test, repainted, fitted with a hew plate to show the date of rebuilding, and then placed into stock. Engine rebuilding arrangements call for a maximum mileage of 95,000 before complete overhaul. This schedule is flexible, and overhauls can be done at an earlier date if found necessary. This mileage is particularly high for vehicles engaged on arduous duties, involving idling for 75 per cent, of the working time.
Mr. Drummond designed and built all van bodies in his own shops. Their design differs from the conventional, in that they are wider and allow the load ing of cases transversely, instead of lengthwise. Thoc advantagc of this method of loading is that the driver does not have to twist his body every time he moves a case. It also allows for a more evenly balanced load, making the vehicle easier to handle.
The vehicles do not carry spare tyres, because the company does not believe that it is good advertising for its products for a customer to see a driver changing a wheel while handling milk, butter and eggs. The directors are of the opinion that many customers may feel that the driver might not wash his bands again before handling their products.
All tyres are retreaded twice before being scrapped. The first occurs at 35,000 miles and the second at 70,000. Long experience has shown these to be the most economical points at which to retread.