Neutral Notes.
Page 18
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British users, at the present tune, when they are being, offered American chassis of all kinds in such numbers, will do well to keep themselves informed of actual commercial-vehicle activities in the United States, as well as in other neutral countries.
German Ball Bearings.
The Norma ball bearings, until recently made at Cannstatt, Germany, are now to be manufactured in America.
Swiss Subsidy Models.
The Swiss Government have now decided to adopt two types of subsidy lorries only—a two-ton lorry for service in the mountainous districts and a five-ton lorry for ordinary roads—war conditions have been carefully watched.
Ingenious Headlight Test.
The American police are using what is called a, " shadow box" to test the power of automobile headlights. This is, in reality, a. darkened area-way, 75 ft. long and wide enough for a car to drive in. After satisfactorily passing the tests, of which we gave particulars in our issue of 14th October, last, the police stamp the headlight, and this mark exempts the owner from any further trouble.
More About the Ford Tractor.
The Ford tractor, so Mr. Henry Ford states, is to be made by an independent firm, the style of which is Henry Ford and Son, Dearborn, Michigan. There are to be no stockholders, and a large percentage of profits is to be distributed amongst the workmen and amongst the purchasers of the machines, as it is proposed to sell these under a profit-sharing system.
The new building to be constructed is a four-storey one with a ground space of 160 ft. by 800 rt. It is to be the biggest and bestequipped tractor plant in the world and Mr. Ford is stated to be going to invest 2200.000 in it. Ford Parts for 5d.
Spare parts for Fords are now being sold in Philadelphia on the equivalent of a British 60. stall— what is called a 10-cent store. A special counter of one of these places is being devoted exclusively to the sale of Ford spares.
Magneto Makers' Litigation.
It is interesting, as showing the value of going to law about minor
a-tented features, to hear that the plitulorf and Bosch companies have now amicably terminated suits which have lasted two years because both companies some time ago discontinued to use the alleged infringing instructions.
The Knox Tractor on Test.
In the course of recent tests made by the municipality of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Knox tractor was very successful in demonstrating the value of a tractor for municipal purposes. The City Fathers had the impression that such a machine would fail on the hills and with the objectof satisfying themselves as to the efficiency of this type of machine for their work, held a test on an incline 7000 ft. long with an average gradient of 1 in 16 and a maximum of 1 in 12. A peculiar condition of the test was that no weight should be placed on the rear axle of the tractor ; the Knox, however, pulling six trailers carrying in all 19, tons [171 English tons.—Er.], proved itself to be entirely suited for the work in hand. Not only did the machine take the load up the hill but proved itself capable of holding it on the steepest portion of the gradient by means of its very effective brakes.
A description of this tractor was given on page 542 last August.
Motorized Mails.
The use of motors for the carriage of mails by the American G.P.O. is rapidly increasing. Quite recently both Chicago and St. Louis have completely motorized their • services. Philadelphia and Detroit are following suit and hope to be in the happy position of dispensing with horses entirely shortly.
12 in. Band Tires.
The Firestone Co. are now manufacturing B in., 10 in. and 12 in. solid band tires. These are to take the place of twins of 4 ins., 5 ins.
and 6 ins. respectively. Narrow grooves are cut in the tread so as to guard against skidding, and it is claimed that owing to the increase of rubber in the complete tire greater resiliency results.
Heavy Taxation.
Considerable perturbation exists in the minds of heavy-vehicle users in Boston owing to the amazing suggestions now being put forward for a scheme of taxation on motor trucks. It is proposed to tax every motor vehicle equipped in whole or in part with solid rubber tires to the extent of 15 pence for each 100 lb. of weight of the vehicle and its normal load, with 25 pence additional for each horse-power developed by the engine at its full capacity. Working on these lines a five-ton (10,000 lb.) commercial vehicle weighing probably 8000 lb. unloaded, with a 40 h.p. engine would have to pay in round figures 215. In addition to this there is also a personal property tax which would average 210 more. The total levy, therefore, amounts to 225, as compared with the present tax on such a truck which is only £3 10s. ía tab.