Answers to Queries.
Page 22
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any poin:s connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners; these we never supply. Our advertisement
columns are oPen to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of trade.
Preparing for 1913.
[2068] "DAIMLER ENQUIRER " writes.—" Kindly answer me through your paper the following questions: (1) Is 11 ft. 6 in. a long enough wheelbase for a char-h-bancs to hold 20 people? (2) What are the beet insurance companies for chars-h-bancs 1 (3) Would a patent sprag that would act automatically be of any value financially ? "
ANSWER.—(1) Yes ; (2) Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., 1, Queen Victoria Street, E.C., and Messrs. A. R. Pole and Co., 72, Gracechurch Street, E.C. ; (3) We cannot say, unless we see the design.
A Small Overload.
[2069] "SCOTTISH OWNERS" write Would you
kindly reply to the following We have two commercial motors here, one a 16 h.p. Albion and the other a 32 h.p. Halley wagon which carries 3 tons. Would it do the Halley any harm to load it with 3 tons 8 cwt., or would it be better to keep to 3 tons ? "
ANSWER.—Although it is a bad plan systematically to overload a lorry above its specified capacity, it would be stupid to say that a good vehicle such as the Halley cannot occasionally stand 8 cwt. above its designed load of 3 tons. On the other hand, on the principle of its being the last straw that broke the camel's back, you must pay heed to the question of the type of body that is already imposed upon the chassis. If this is a heavy box-van body, you may be already overloaded with 3 tons inside it. If, on the other hand, it is a platform lorry, you might manage the extra 8 cwt_ without trouble.
Another point to be regarded is the likely effect upon the tires. If they are not of sufficient section to present a margin for the proposed extra 8 cwt., you might have considerable trouble with them. We should certainly suggest that you do not put the extra 8 cwt. on unless your tires are 4 in. on the rim (singles at the front and twins at the back).
A further precaution, if you decide that you will put on this extra 8 cwt., is that you should ask the opinion of the makers about it, and should both volunteer to run a little more slowly than usual with the extra load, and actually do so.
Concerning the Metropolitan Steamers.
[2070] "CARTAGE CONTRACTOR writes :—" I don't know if I am breaking your correspondence rules in asking for a, written answer to the following questions, but if not I should greatly esteem the favour of any information you can give me.
"The Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Co., Ltd., is advertising a number of Serpollet steam chassis which have been used on their London bus service. I have inspected one chassis. The price is satisfactory, but, here is where I'm stuck. The fuel, of course, is petroleum fed under pump pressure to the burners. There is no boiler in the ordinary sense of the word, simply coils of steam tubing heated by the pressure-fed burners. The same pump (by side of driver's seat) feeds both fuel to burners and water to the steam raiser (I can't call it a boiler). "Can you inform me why these chassis have been prohibited from running in London? Is the chassis entirely suitable for conversion to a three-ton lorry ? These chassis seem to have had very little wear ; in fact, most of them have been running less than 12 months.
"In case I purchase one or more chassis, it is my
intention to use them for lorry work up to three tons —not for short journeys. Do you think I can get anything like reliable service from them ? The feed pump seems to me to be the part that might be very troublesome.
"Would I require a pradtical engineer to look after a vehicle of this pattern and keep her on the road?"
ANSWER.—We are quite familiar with the machines Lo which you refer, which are being offered for sale by the Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Co. We do not think you are correct in your surmise that the machines have been prohibited from running in London. It is possible that the question of weight may have something to do with it, if such prohibition has taken place. We do not think you are likely to get consistently-reliable service from them, unless you engage a man to drive and look after each machine who is thoroughly conversant with the special Serpollet system, and you will undoubtedly require a practical engineer to supervise a fleet of such machines.
An Unattended Horse Causes Damage.
[2071] "HAULAGE CONTRACTORS" write :—" We are forwarding herewith a letter, copy of which we intend to forward to J. Barker and Co., Ltd., who are making a claim against us for damage to one of their horses as the result of an accident in Cromwell Road, London, their man having left a horse and vehicle quite unattended at the side of the road. Our steam wagon, with a pantechnicon as trailer, was passing, and when the pantechnicon in passing was about level with the horse the horse dashed around, damaging a panel in the side of our van, and for which damage we hold them responsible.
"We should like your advice with regard to their claim. Do you consider that we are liable, and what steps would you advise us to take in the matter?"
I beg to acknowledgercrTeYpt of your letter of the 26th inst., re accident in Cromwell Road, London, S.W. Your man evidently gave you the wrong information concerning same, as your horse was left unattended, and when our pantechnicon was passing your horse the horse dashed around and damaged a panel in the side of our vehicle, for which we are obtaining an estimate for repairs, and shall forward same to you in due course.
We certainly do not admit any liabilityon our part, and we feel sure that when you know the true facts of the case you will be satisfied that the damage to our pantechnicon was caused entirely through neglect on the part of your man in leaving horse and vehicle unattended.
ANSWER.—It is illegal, under the Highways Act of 1835, for any person to leave a horse unattended. Furthermore, in these motor days, a horse which is unable to stand the passage of motor traffic of, an ordinary kind, such as a steam wagon, might certainly be held to be untrained, having regard to all circumstances. You are quite right in the attitude which you have adopted.
Of course, if you are insured, you should notify your insurance company of the accident forthwith. Messrs. Barker will probablz be insured, and your claim upon them will in that event be settled by their insurance company. If you are a member of the Commercial Motor Users Association, that body's legal committee would no doubt help you with advice should any difficulty arise later on.