The Hurtu Light Delivery Van.
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We are Favourably Impressed by the Design and Finish of this Machine,
Last week we took a demonstration run on a Hurtu light delivery van, which machine is being handled in this country by Mr. Stuart A. Curzon, 98-100, Victoria i Street, London, S.W. The vehicle s of French design, manufactured by the Hurtu Co., at Rueil, near Paris. The general good finish of the machine, the smooth running of the engine, and the whole of the transmission gear were, we found, all that could be desired for this class of vehicle.
A four-cylinder vertical engine is fitted, cast CV, bloc. Our illustrations show this unit to be of very clean design. The cylinder bore is 75 min., the stroke 120 mm., and the rating 14 b.h.p. The valves are interchangeable, and the springs are wholly enclosed by a dust-proof cover plate, which is easily detachable to allow the tappets to be adjusted when found necessary. The engine is mounted on the main frame by means of four stout arms cast integral with the crank chamber. We noticed that the crankshaft is provided with three bearings, a provision that all engines of this rating do not possess, much to the encouragement of whip.
Lubrication to the main bearings is by means of a pump, the big ends being fed by splash. A suitable oil filter is fitted. The crankcase filler is provided with a useful form of oil depth gauge. Camshaft and Bosch magneto are driven by Coventry silent chain. The cooling system is thermo-syphon, a Renault type of radiator being mounted immediately in front of the Daimler farm of dash.
Solex carburetter is fitted, and a hand-controlled throttle, together with a foot accelerator is provided, a quadrant and finger lever for the former being mounted on the steering wheel. The ignition is fixed. The clutch is of the usual coned leather-to-metal type, the female member being of aluminium. Small plate springs are fitted underneath the clutch leather the drive take-up was shown to be very smooth. A double universal joint is fitted between the clutch and gearbox. The latter component is mounted by means of four arms, an two transverse members placed amidships in the main frame. Three forward speeds and a reverse are provided for, the respective ratios being : —1st speed 14.1, 2nd speed 7.1, and 3rd 4.1, the latter being direct drive ; a gate type of change speed is fitted. The live axle also conforms to the general good finish of the chassis. The driving shafts are of the floating type, and are enclosed by good stout castings, which are bolted to the main bevel case. DAVI'. ball bearings are fitted to the differential, the driving road wheels being mounted on compound bearings of the same make. Both hand and foot operated brakes are, of course, provided, the former taking effect on the rear road wheels by means of pressed steel drums bolted thereto.
A noticeable feature, conducive to comfortable driving, at any rate in congested traffic where many of these little vans will operate, is that the foot brake and clutch are inter-connected ; upon declutching, the foot brake comes into effect, and the change
speed lever may be left in gear during this operation. A heel rest is provided which does much to avoid fatigue on the part of the driver. The foot-brake is readily adjustable from the seat.
The main suspension is particularly good, threequarter elliptical springs being mounted at the rear of the frame, which is of pressed steel. Articles of delicate fabric may be transported with the utmost confidence, as being free from damaging vibration due to road shock. All shackle pins are provided with good large greasers.
The weight of the machine ready for the road is [9 cwt. A roomy box-van body can be mounted, as shown in the illustration. The vehicle is sold under the Hurtu guarantee of reliability, and each machine, we are informed, passes a thorough test under full working load at all ranges of speed from 4 to 45 miles per hour.
Prices of the machine are as follow :— Chassis, with 760 mm. by 90 mm. pneumatic tires, £245.
Chassis, with 760 mm. by 100 mm. tires, £250. Complete with body, and C.A.V. dynamo set, L315.
The unit is well adapted for express light delivery. We were, altogether, favourably impressed with the behaviour of the machine throughout the run, and there should be a considerable amount of business done with this class of vehicle. There is evidence of attention to detail in all stampings and brackets throughout the machine, and the impression left upon us is that this little Hurtu is a handy and well-built 1913 model that will undoubtedly make a strong appeal to those who want something really de,signed to carry less than one ton, but not a pareekar.
THE L. AND N.W.R. ACT, 1909.
We referred to clause 16 of ne above Act, in our issue of the 20th March. We now, by request, give the text :— " (1) The Company may for the conveyance of passengers and their luggage to or from any of the railways owned leased or worked by them provide own work and use road vehicles to be drawn or moved by animal, electrical or other mechanical power.
" (2) Any electrical power used shall be entirely contained in and carried along with such road vehicles in such a manner that no magnetic or other influence is created which is likely to affect telegraphic communication by means of any telegraphs of the Postmaster General or telephonic communication by means of the apparatus of the National lelephone Co., Ltd., or Government observatories or laboratories.
"(3) In the exercise of the power of this section in any city or borough or other urban district the following provisions shall apply and have effect (that is to say): (a) the definition of the term omnibus' in the Town Police Clauses Act, 1889, shall be deemed to include a road vehicle and the provisions of that Act shall apply there" --cordingly ; (b) the local authority may from time ,t,u time prescribe the route within their city borough or iii4%n cliqrict as the case may be to be taken by any road vehicle2,Atween the points of arrival and departure of such road vehicle; (c) if the company consider themselves aggrieved by any decision or iefusal of consent of the local authority in reference to any road vehicle the company may apply to the Board of Trade and on any such application the Board of Trade may reverse or vary the decision of the local authority or may make such other orders touching the matter in dispute between the company and the local authority as to the Board of Trade shall seem just. The powers of the Board of Trade under this subsection may if the Board of Trade in any case so determine be exercised by an arbitrator to be appointed by the Board of Trade.
"(4) In this section the expression 'local authprity' shall mean in the case of a city or borough the corporation of that city or borough and in the CAM of any other urban district the Council of the urban district, and the expression 'road vehicles ' shall mean any omnibus coach ear or other road vehicles used under the powers of this section for the conveyance of passengers and their luggage."