The Lancashire and Yorkshire Shows.
Page 14
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Having regard to our recent very full report of the Newcastle show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, to which we devoted more than 12 pages in the issue of this journal for the 2nd ultimo, there is no occasion for us to enter into details of the mechanical construction of the lorries or vans at the Manchester or the Halifax show. The former closed on Monday night last, and the latter, which opened yesterday (Wednesday), will close to-morrow (Friday) night. At the time of going to press, we cannot give a full list of exhibitors at Halifax, but many of those represented at the Lancashire display will be found in Yorkshire; the Leyland and Tasker exhibits are amongst those which will not be seen in the second instance.
A feature of the motor section at Platt Fields, Manchester, was provided in the comparatively large proportion of steam wagons that had been sold to new customers. Hitherto, at most exhibitions of the kind, makers have given a preference to the " repeat order " testimony, but, although lists of old customers were prominent, the vehicles themselves had more generally been sold in fresh directions, a fact which is in keeping with the progress that the industry is making : manufacturers have no longer to look for new trade in old circles.
One of its well-reputed motor mowers was shown by Thomas Green and Sons, Limited, of Smithfield Ironworks, Leeds, this being of the company's single-cylinder type, with 3oinch cutters.
The Barford and Perkins estate roller, No. " 1)3," priced at j..;300, having its main roller 4 feet 6 inches wide by 3 feet in diameter, and with an approximate full weight of 4:i tons, was an object of interest to many of the visitors. This handy make of roller, which is now constructed in nine models, ranging from a to 8 tons empty, is becoming increasingly ix)pular for use on raceoourses, in public and private parks, and for road-making.
A total of to wagons was shown by the Eoden (two), Leyland (three), Mann (one), Walker (two), and Yorkshire (two) companies : four of these, two each by Leyland Motors, Limited, and Walker Brothers, Limited, were of the internal-combustion type. We observed that one of the Foden wagons— that sold to the Crystal Ice Company, of Manchester—had Dook-Hercules tires, which had been supplied by the Dook-Swain Tyre and Rubber Company, of Pollard Street, Anceats, Manchester, and we learnt, in conversation with Mr. William Eoden, how confident his company is that rubber tires will yield satisfactory results on the lighter types of steam wagons. The Foam exhibit at Halifax is a standard five-ton wagon, sold to John J. Hunt, Limited, brewers, of York ; its special body is fitted with stanchions and chains.
The novelty of the Leyland stand was provided in its five-ton petrol wagon.• This vehicle, as regards its -engine. and general design, is on the Tines of the
company's well-known omnibus chassis, • with 35-4oh.p: engine, but the pressed-steel frame has been considerably deepened, and a greater reduction effected in the gearing, part of this being accomplished by an increase of the size of the bevel wheel within the double-reduction-gear casing on the back axle. This five-ton petrol wagon is fitted with Shrewsbury and Challiner tires, of ii inches in width on the rim. The other petrol lorry, for loads of from 30 cwt. to two tons, has an 18h.p., twocylinder engine. The Leyland steam wagon had been sold to John Edwards, Limited, of Droylsden, Manchester, for brick cartage, and the internal rmeisurements of its Lipping body are no less than ro feet 8 inches long, by 5 feet 6 inches broad, by 4 feet deep. The Mann " five-tanner " is destined, at least during part of its work, for use in the distribution of _ice, the inside measurements of its body being 14 feet by 7 feet hr 2.1. feet. Access to the transmission and differential gear, for examination of lubricators, etc., is ingeniously provided by the cutting away of a corner of the water tank on the near side, although the volume of water carried has been made good in the length of the tank; further, boards in the floor of the platform can be lifted out so as to allow good light to reach the parts under inspection. Another feature of the Mann wagon is the powerful band brakes, which _enclose a drum on each side of the driving wheels. At the TIalifniK show, this company will be represented by its tractor, which has been repaired since it sustained an accident at Aberdeen through the runningaway of some railway wagons in the goods yard, by one of the company's two-ton wagons, by Earl Fitzwilliam's five-ton tipping wagon, and by a five-ton cart which has been sold to Messrs. Normanton and Sons, quarry owners, of Greetland.
Mr. A. J. Drake was in charge of the stand of Walker Brothers, Limited, and we were glad to learn that be has at. readydisposed of a number of his twoton lorries, and that they are rendering a good account of themselves in service.
The Yorkshire stand attracted much notice, largely by reason of the prominent use of transfers of the Royal Automobile Club's gold-medal award, specimens of which were to be found upon the coal bunkers, the engine casing, and the front of the boiler. It was not uncemmon to hear a spectator remark : " See, they have got the highest honours." The smaller Yorkshire model also drew favourable comments.
A total of five tractors was shown, one each by Burrell (small compound model), Clayton and Shuttieworth, Fowler (two-cylinder compound model), Ruston-Proetor, and Tasker. Several
were somewhat dwarfed by their proximity to large traction engines and rollers, but we learnt, more particularly from Mr. Snowdin, of Tasker's, that
the prospects of a wider use of tractors in Lancashire and Yorkshire are by no means discouraging. Aveling and Porter did not show a tractor.
Amongst the other exhibitors, we were interested to note the good display of the British Petroleum Company, Limited, the records obtained by whose " Shell " spirit were notified to advantage. The most striking tire exhibit was unquestionably that of the Shrewsbury and Challiner Tire Company, Limited, of Kay Street, Ardwick Green, Manchester, whose " Giant " and " World " tires continue to earn high encoiniums from purchasers, and _a minor exhibit of this kind was that of the Dock-Swain Tyre. and Rubber Company, Limited, to which passing reference has already been made. Joseph Owen and Sons, Limited, of Stanley Road, Liverpool, in its display of woods for van builders, a varied assortment of planks, bends and other supplies, excelled its very fine show at Newcastle, partly owing to the fact that more space, was at its disposal, whilst an exhibit on the same lines was staged by R.emer and Company, Limited, of Bootle. Last, hut not least, as is its wont at agricultural shows, W. H. Willcox and Company, Limited, of Southwark Street, London, S.F., had a full range of engineers' stores, tools, wire-bound hose, packing-s, jacks, lubricants, etc., on view : this stand was at all times a scene of activity.