Expert Condemns Lorry Test by Examiners
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AMAINTENANCE foreman at British Road Services' Days Road depot, Bristol, challenged the evidence given by police and Ministry of Transport examiners in a case at Keynsharn last week. B.R.S. were accused of using a lorry with inefficient steering and their driver was summoned for driving the vehicle. Both pleaded "not guilty."
Mr. G. H. Fussell, a Ministry vehicle examiner, claimed that the steering arm was not secure when he examined the vehicle and there was excess wear on stub axle pins and bushes. Although the general condition of the vehicle was satisfactory apart from this, it was in a dirty condition and in his opinion had been neglected.
Mr. B. Williams, Ministry senior examiner, said he was present when the examination was made and he also thought there was considerable wear in the king pins and bushes. This view was supported in evidence by a police
constable. _
New Engine Fitted
The B.R.S. maintenance foreman,
Nigel Grimston, said the vehicle had had 18 checks last year and seven up to the time of the examination. As late as June 26 a new engine had been fitted and the lorry had been thoroughly examined. B.R.S. vehicles had a maintenance check every three or four weeks and this vehicle had been properly maintained along those lines.
Mr. Herbert Thonger, consultant engineer, condemned the method of putting strain on a steering wheel which was used by the police and Ministry examiners. He pointed out that with a 13-ton loaded vehicle, you were bound to get movement in the steering when it was stationary and the examiners should have known better. He had made a careful examination and believed the vehicle had been properly maintained. The steering gear was in good and efficient working order.
Asked by the chairman why he had not driven the vehicle, Mr. Fussell said there was some question of insurance which prevented this.
The chairman: "I am not criticizing you, but from a common-sense point of view it does seem to me that you could have carried out a better check this way."
The case was dismissed.
EDINBURGH TO BUY 50 TIGER CUBS
CIFTY Leyland Tiger Cubs with Pneumo-Cyclic four-speed gearbox-es and centrifugal clutches have been ordered by Edinburgh Transport Department. Leyland 0.375 6.17-litre engines, which develop 110 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m., will be fitted, and air-operated automatic chassis lubricators will be featured.
Another Leyland order has come from Bombay. Ashok Leyland, Ltd., are to supply the Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking with 50 doubledeckers equipped with Pneumo-Cyclic gearboxes.