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Opinions from Others.

6th July 1916, Page 17
6th July 1916
Page 17
Page 17, 6th July 1916 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one siae of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be 'withheld.

Agricultural Tractor Design.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1366] Sir,—With reference to your reply to correspondent No. 2975, may we point out that, whilst the difficulty of slip and loss or draw-bar pull on soft ground has always to be reckoned with in the ease of wheeled tractors, which, moreover, are dependent upon the deadweight on the driving wheels to get efficient traction at all, this drawback is largely nullified by the use of the " caterpillar" principle, and is entirely nullified in the application of that principle in the Bates Steel Mule, in which machine increased tractive effect is obtained in direct proportion to the increase of the load, without any increase in the deadweight of the tractor.—Yours faithfully, THE POWER FARM SUPPLY CO. Priory Lawn Chambers, Coventry.

Imitations of Rinks Fuel.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1267] Sir,—Owing to the great success of rinks fuel, I regret to find that there are being offered to the motoring public imitations of the same which are practically useless in. motor engines unless mixed with at least 75 per cent. of petrol, or unless a vaporizer is used.

I strongly advise all purchasers who have fuels offered to them, to insist on being supplied with fuel with a specific gravity which should be in the neighbourhood of .775 with a flash point of about 77 degrees Fahrenheit. I have had several letters this week from owners who have purchased these fuels which they are advised can be mixed with a small proportion of petrol. They have found them utterly useless, and in one case the fuel used caused considerable damage

to the engine.—Yours faithfully, C. Bruzs, LTD., CHAS. BINES, Managing Director. Eccles, Lancs.

Returned Disabled Soldiers to Civil Employment.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[13687 Sir,—The question of the employment of disabled sailors and soldiers, discharged from the Sex

vices, is receiving the consideration of all thinking people. As showing how physical infirmity does not necessarily mean unemployment, we enclose a photograph [Reproduced herewith.—En.] showing what the Salford Corporation, Electricity Department, Manchester, are doing to assist their returned employees.

Although the driver shown in the photograph has lost a limb and never previously driven a. motor vehicle, he is now usefully employed in his present capacity. It was, of course, necessary to effect a slight re-arrangement in the design of the clutch and brake pedals in the four-ton Albion vehicle which the man is now driving. This • alteration practically amounted to the coupling up together of these two pedals, so that when the clutch pedal is depressed the free clutch is obtained with about 2 ins. of travel on the clutch pedal. A further depression of this lever brings the foot brake into action, and this arrangement is working quite satisfactorily.

So far as we are aware, this is the first instance known by which a ma-n with one leg is able satisfactorily to drive a heavy commercial-motor vehicle, although there have been not a few instances where light motorcars are beinedriven by ex-soldiers who have suffered from a similar misfortune.—Yours faith fully, ALBION MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

SCOUlt01.131

We congratulate the Albion Co. on the modification for the purpose in view. This subject of adapted control to suit disabled men was brought forward carefully and at length in our issue of the January last—E..]

Condensation of Paraffin in Engines Using that Fuel.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

(13601 Sir,—Regarding the points requiring attention with a petrol engine running on paraffin, when working with paraffin an engine requires more attention to its lubrication system than when working with petrol, and it is important to obtain an oil which is suitable for the cylinder, and which will stand the higher temperature of the cylinder and piston. Most of the makers of cylinder-lubricating oils have experimented with various engines, and are in. a position to recommend the oil most suitable for that particular engine. They have found that engines of the same type by different manufacturers seem to require slight variations-of the quality and nature of the cylinder lubricating oil. Usually it is found that a compound oil gives better results than a. pure mineral oil, and it is necessary to have an oil that keeps its viscosity fairly uniform with the increasing temperatures ; the usual flash point is about 400 deg. F. (open test), The evidence of unsuitable lubricating oil is the formation of excessive carbon deposit on the piston head and cylinder, and the first indication of this is generally a reduction in the power of the engine. The piston rings may become firmly stuck in their grooves if an unsuitable oil is used ; this allows leakage past the piston, which leads to deterioration of the lubricating oil in the crankcase, whilst 'bearing troubles may arise really through the oil being unsuit able for the cylinder. With new engines, there is not much risk of im

pairing the quality of the lubricating oil by the condensation of paraffin, but this may occur with an engine that has been. in service a long time, and the only satisfactory remedy is to replace the whole of the lubricating oil after so many miles run, the period depending upon the system of lubrication.

A proportion of 1 in 10 of paraffin in the lubricating oil is not likely to prove detrimental, and in our opinion a proportion of I in S is not dangerous. Trusting the above will be of service.—Yours faith E. W. PET'TER.

fu yllye,ovil.

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Locations: Manchester, Coventry

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