COAL-GAS PROGRESS.
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A Novel Conversion.
We think that we are justified in saying that the majority of commercialvehicle users who have embraced the uaa of coal-gas for motive purposes have not displayed, toi the extent that we should have anticipated, much individual thought or ingenuity in the conversion Of their vehicles to the new class of fuel. As a whole, these users who have been more active • and progressive than their competitors have been content to accept the _first Means to hand in order to enable them to " carry on" during the period of restricted use of petrol and other fuels.
This is an unfortunate state, inasmuch as it has partially 'militated against a lengthening list of coal-gas users and has been responsible to an extent for a temporary • slump iii the movement. We should rather have thought that inventors. and users alike Would have experimeated to a greater extent than they have, in Order to secure added efficiency of the flexible container, at the same time eradicating those few inherent defects Which are known to exist. It is generally agreed that the present period of shortage and scarcity of raw material does not permit ofunlimited experimentaland research work but we do strongly hold the opinion that lethargic influences have been rife in quarters where active movmuent might certainly have been expected.
A novel conversion to a heavy Dennis kirry by a Bolton user, to Wit, Mr. ThemaS Peat,of Hope Foundry., Farnworth, near Bolto»,. has been successfully ' carriedout. This user, who was responsible for the complete conversion, is to be strongly commended. on the design and novelty of his installation, which unquestionably exhibits ingenious construeties. It will be seen from the illustrations, which we reproduce herewith, that the vehicle in question is equipped, with two trays and, gas-bags, the dimensions of the front container beilig 8 ft. by 6 ft. by 44 it., whilst the rear "kag is of 11. ft.
by 6 ft. by 4 ft. The front container, it will be seen, is carried over the cab and bonnet and is fixed, but the rear one, which is. situated over the lorry platform, is fixed on carriers with hinged joints which. enable it to tilt on either side, thus leaving the lorry body clear for loading by crane from either side as may be required. The capacity of both eontaiaers is 525 cubic ft. [tie interesting to note that the:engine draws from both containers at the same time, .onki it is stated by the user that the gas from each container is completely exhausted. We pre same that in this manner complete symmetry of the two bags, that is to say, one with another, would be preserved. We understand that the vehicle has been in regular use, as converted, for several months past transporting 3-ton loads. Over this period the machine has keen Buccesdully and efficiently operated.