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Maintenance Becoming a "White-collar Job"

3rd October 1952, Page 59
3rd October 1952
Page 59
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Page 59, 3rd October 1952 — Maintenance Becoming a "White-collar Job"
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Keywords : Hoist, Tools, Gas Compressor

By Alan Smith MANUFACTURERS and factors exhibiting in the transport service equipment section of the Commercial Motor Show are progressing towards the ideal of making the job of the motor mechanic a " white-collar " occupation. Over 30, items of new equipment are displayed which have in common higher efficiency through the adoption of new ideas in design and construction. Vehicle operators inspecting the latest products will find many appliances to improve the economy of their maintenance shops.

Underfloor-engine vehicle designs have created a demand for four-post hoists, a new example of which is shown by Joseph Bradbury and Sons, Ltd., Braintree, on Stand 151 ST. A hydro-electric unit of 5-ton rating, the hoist is made in two types—one for short-wheelbase and another for longwheelbase vehicles.

Accessibility to the chassis is well afforded by narrow adjustable tracks. Full elevation can be attained in 75 seconds, and in the event of a power cut, lowering can be effected by gravity. Automatic chocks collapse when the hoist is at ground level but come into operation as soon as it rises. All working gear is enclosed so that the equipment can be installed out of doors. Power connection can be made to D.C. ' or single-phase A.C. supply and hightorque or reversible motors are not required.

3-Ton Hoist

Another new four-post hoist, of 3-ton capacity, is shown by Skyhi, Ltd., Worton Road, Isleworth, Middx, on Stand 161 R. The lifting ram is mounted horizontally underneath one of the trackways and is therefore fully protected, and the pump and 21 h.p. electric motor move up and down with the superstructure. Full elevation of 4 ft. 8 ins. may be attained in 30 seconds and the speed of descent can be regulated by means of a gravity screw valve.

The hoist is fitted with a safety pawl and cannot descend until the mechanical lock on the platform is released by hand. The length of the flat portion of the tracks is 14 ft. 6 ins., the width between the tracks 2 ft. 11 ins., and the overall width of the tracks 5 ft. 11 ins. A novel type of hoist which raises a vehicle on four radial beams, the ends of which are placed under the chassis members, is bein_g demonstrated on Stand 153 T by the Weaver Manufacturing and Engineering Co., Ltd., Magna Works, Bedford. It is known as the Weaver-ATI. single-post hoist and it is claimed that the absence of rails and platforms affords a degree of accessibility that is better than that given by normal types of hoist, and that more efficient lubrication can be effected as the unsprung parts of the vehicle arc rel4xed.

The ram rests on a tattress of oil and danger of sudden descent is obviated because the oil can return to the cylinder only after passing through a number of calibrated orifices. Should a pipe burst, the ram cannot descend faster than the speed at which it rises. Further safety is provided by a lockingvalve mechanism.

The company also introduces the Autoclean vehicle-washing gantry. It is suspended from rails and the arch incorporates 30 jets to provide an even spread of detergent solution or water. The machine operates on a low water pressure and with two men employed, a small vehicle can be washed in about 10 minutes.

The Foamrinsa vehicle-washing unit for dispensing a detergent foam is introduced by the Laycock Engineering Co., Ltd., Victoria Works, Millhouses, Sheffield, 8, on Stand 165 QR. The device takes the form of a pressure chamber connected to the pipeline from the washing plant. A minute jet of detergent is introduced into the water stream, with which it mixes, and the solution is delivered through the gun in the normal manner.

The company also shows a water-line coupling of new design. ihe socket is screwed into the line and the main sealing washer at the plug end prevents the flow of water. The plug, connected to the hose, js then pushed into the socket and the sealing washer remains seated until the plug is turned home. This prevents the premature flow of water until the coupling nut is securely held by the threads. The coupling is also suitable for air lines.

Corolume low-voltage lighting equipment -for installation in Layeock Coronation hoists is also featured. A set of 10 lamps fed at 24 volts from a transformer is connected to the hoist's electricity supply.

Tyre Spreader Tyresoles, Ltd., Palace of Engineering, Wembley, Middx, shows a new giant-tyre spreader on Stand 171 R. The machine is applicable to a wide range of tyre sizes varying from 1 ft. to 2 ft. 6 ins, bead diameter and it affords a spread of 2 It. 3 ins. The rotating head and the power-operated sizing gear are special features. The normal operating pressure is 175 lb. per sq. in., but the spreader can safely work at 300 lb. per sq. in. if necessary.

A new type of tyre-reconditioning mould is shown by Union Tyre Supplies (Great Britain), Ltd., 9, Grape Street, London, W.C.2, on Stand 139 U. It incorporates the exclusive feature of the company's product, in that it is adaptable for recapping, retreading and remoulding A floating rim fitted as an integral part of the mould obviates the use of conventional curing rims and permits automatic adjustment to accommodate variations in tyre dimensions. . The Hydraspeed tyre remover made by E. P. Barrus, Ltd., Brunel Road, London, W.3, and shown on Stand 150 ST, by G. T. Riches and Co., Ltd., 19-21, Store Street, London, W.C.I, has three special features—it is portable, can be dismantled for transport, and may be operated by one man. Two models are offered, the 930 for tyres up to 7 ft. 9 ins, in diameter, and the 480 for tyres up to 4 ft. in diameter.

The equipment is supported by three posts, fitted with castor wheels at the ends of arms radiating from the centre. A series of claws, of which there are six on the 480 and eight on the 930, is disposed around a central vertical pillar connected to a Black Hawk Portapower S.71 hydraulic unit In use, the wheel is placed on a sand and as this operation does not require the wheel to be lifted completely clear of the ground it can be done by one man. With the wheel supported in a vertical plane, the remover is moved over it and the bottom of the central pillar connected to the stan.d. The claws are appropriately adjusted and the hydraulic unit manually operated. This raises the tyre against the claws.

After a sufficient number of strokes has been made, the claws may be moved inwards to bear against the bead of the tyre between it and the wheel flange. A pressure in excess of 20 tons may be exerted.

A hydraulic tyre remover is also displayed on Stand 137 U by llarvey Frost and Co., Ltd., Bishop's Stortford, Herts. The power unit is capable of exerting a force of 20 tons upon the self-aligning framework.

A self-loading towing cradle is also exhibited by the concern. The gear incorporates a winch which enables a vehicle to be drawn on to the cradle up a pair of ramps. It is suitable for vehicles with independent front suspension as well as rigid-axle types. Made in dipacities of 30 cwt and 50 cwt., the cradle is fitted with a rotating turntable.

Fleet operators who have not installed vulcanizers will be interested in tyre valves shown on Stand 143 T by Automotive Parts and Accessories, Bowes House, Battle Road, Hailsham, Sussex. These may be attached to tubes by the Bowes Seal-Fast cold chemical process. The bases are of rubber and the stems of metal.

Compressors of the sliding-vane type are displayed by Buck and Hickman, Ltd., Whitechapel Road, London, E.1, on Stand 163 R. These are Hydrovane units made by Alfred Bullows and Sons, Ltd., Long Street, Walsall, Staffs. Stated to represent a marked advance, these compressors can work at high pressures, as a method of flood lubrication has been evolved which provides a fluid seal for the internal clearances.

Contamination of the air by the lubricating oil is obviated by a simple labyrinth and • a filter which traps oil fog. Oil separated by this -filter is returned Jo the sump.

Bullows makes a compressor suitable for various workshop purposes and a portable type ideal for spraying. This can deliver 3.25 cubic ft. of air per minute at 35 lb. per sq. in. It works oil a D.C. or single-phase A.C. supply and is silent and vibrationless in operation.

Portable Compressor

Romac Industries, Ltd., The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W.9, exhibits a number of -new products on Stand 179 PQ. One is the model D.T.6 portable compressor which has an output of 9 cubic ft. per minute and is designed for large-scale spray-painting applications. In addition, the company introduces the model D.4.X compressor for rapid tyre inflation. This unit has a capacity of 5 cubic ft. per minute and a working pressure of 150 lb. per .sq. in., and is fitted with an automatic unloader.

An output booster, made in two sizes —5 cubic ft. per minute and 9 cubic ft. per minute—is also shown for the first time. It can be coupled to any compressor. Romac has produced a new vulcanizer for tyre and tube repairs which eliminates the need for fuses. It Is called the Tyremaster.

On Stand 166 Q, Bristol Pneumatic Tools, Ltd., of Causeway Works, Fishponds, Bristol, displays its model 30705 compressor, produced to supersede an older type. It has a 5-cubic-ft. displacement and is fitted with an air suction cleaner, an intercooler and a fan-type flywheel grooved for a V-belt. The unit is driven by a 1 h.p. electric motor and is available in two forms, one for static installations and the other mounted on wheels for portability.

An addition to the range of William Turner (Kismet), Ltd., Eyre Works, Sheffield, 1, is exhibited on Stand 178 PQ. It is the B.B. Mark 3 air control with a large Perspex dial and interior lighting and is made in wall and pedestal models, the latter type embodying rotary movement of the gauge to face the operative during use. The company has also produced its Autocoil air and water tower in a new form with a retractable water hose.

On Stand 162 RS, C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., 46 Grosvenor Street, London, W.1, introduces automatic oildispensing reels embodying a locking device, which may be fixed to the floor, wall or ceiling of a service bay and have the meter attached to the nozzle. The operative can, therefore, check the rate at which oil is being dispensed without looking away from what he is doing at a remotely mounted gauge.

A new 6-in, bench grinder is exhibited by Black and Decker, Ltd., Harmondsworth. 'Middx. on Stand 168 R. This machine, which can be supplied with either a single-phase or a three-phase motor, has a carefully balanced rotor and spindle mounted on large ball bearings and special protective sleeves for keeping out dirt. Tool rests are adjustable to compensate for wheel wear. The wheel guards, whilst adequate for protective purposes, are wide enough to permit the use of wire brushes.

The Spot-Gun hand-welding tool, a new product of Triangle Products, Ltd., Blake Street, Hu!me, Manchester, 15, can be seen on Stand 131 U. Weighing only 26 lb., it can be plugged into any power point and has been designed specially for the repair of body sheetmetal work.

The arms have a reach of 1 ft. 2 ins. and the tool is capable of welding two pieces of 14-gauge steel. Handiness, simplicity and low cost mark the SpotGun, which is said to produce 500 spotwelds for about Id. The price is £45 or £50 with various extras.

Another new portable hand welder is shown by Kerry's (Great Britain); Ltd., Warton Road, London, E.15, on Stand 147 T. The tool is made by Ring Motors, Ltd., Shipley, Yorks., and is known as the Leopard. It works on any voltage between 380 and 480 and its current consumption is about 1 unit per hour. Two pieces of metal up to 16-gauge thickness can be welded with tong fittings. Complete with tongs, one pair of standard tips and 20 ft. of cable, the Leopard costs £45. Various types of tong and electrode tips are available.

Cuthbert Machine Tools, Ltd., Mill

mead Works, High Street, Guildford, Surrey, shows the production model of its Wide-Range line borer on Stand 176 QR. This machine was shown earlier in prototype form but has since undergone design modifications. The drive head is now mounted on a more substantial pillar and bridge piece, and all the steadies are clamped by levers.

The Prince crankshaft grinding machine, made by Prince (Kingston) Engineers, Ltd., Park Road, Kingstonon-Thames, is displayed by Kerry's (Great Britain), Ltd. It is claimed to be the smallest and cheapest machine of its type on the market, and is capable of grinding multiple-throw crankshafts up to 24 ins, half-stroke and 3 ft. 9 ins. long.

Straightening Chassis

Kerry's also shows the Staffa 1-1ydroram; manufactured by Commercial Structures, Ltd., Staffa Road, London, E.I0, a hydraulic-ram unit that has many applications, from straightening bent chassis members to removing locked wheels. It can exert a steady pressure of 5 tons.

A number of new products of B. 0. Morris, Ltd., Morrisflex Works, Briton Road, Coventry, is seen on Stand 184 P. They comprise a high-speed bench backstand for such operations as deflashing and polishing, two petrol-engined flexible-shaft machines and a third flexible-shaft unit especially designed for toolrooms, fettling and pattern shops.

A newly developed socket set for unified hexagon bolts and nuts which conform to the new British Standard is displayed by Abingdon King Dick, Ltd., Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, 11, on Stand 180 PQ. The set covers the whole range of sizes listed in the standard, and smaller sets are available, together with a range of single and double open-ended spanners, for the same use.

(To be concluded) D3


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