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Tyres Keep Pace
THE commercial vehicle is a remarkable piece of I mechanism and whether it be in the cheaper ranges or amongst the most expensive, the operator can normally expect from it a life, in terms of mileage, vastly greater than that of the average private car.
To achieve this every part is, to the greatest extent economically possible, designed with this extensive life in view. The vehicle manufacturer, however, always has to depend to some extent, and in many cases this is fairly large, upon outside suppliers of certain units, parts and equipment. Consequently, one of the most interesting features of the production side of the industry is the manner in which these suppliers have responded to the demands made upon them.
Ranking high amongst them are the tyre makers. Their products, the quality of which, incidentally, depends not only upon design and materials, but largely on the skill of the individual workers who " build " the tyres, have advanced step by step with the vehicles. Thus, despite the enormous stresses imposed by heavy loading, powerful braking and, sometimes, the rough surfaces on which they run, they afford a reliability and wearing, life which are amazing.
Progress with tyres is also continuous and huge tyres which, a few years ago, would have been cone30 • sidered as impossible to make satisfactorily, are now in regular production, whilst there is a constant search for even better materials and methods of manufacture.
Economy in operation has also been greatly enhanced by the ability of some tyre carcasses to accept retreading several times without undue risk of failure and with their original good characteristics completely retained.
Flexible-tank Possibilities
THE possibility of conveying by sea large quantities of fuel in flexible containers towed by ships, opens quite a field of thought as to other ways in which such receptacles could be employed. It might, for example, be feasible to replace the normal sheetmetal tanks of vehicles by, say, impregnated-nylon bags. These would obviate corrosion and thus help to maintain the purity of the fuel.
If their reliability could be assured and the authorities concerned convinced of their safety, larger tanks of flexible Construction might be employed underground for filling stations and even for conveying fuel by road.
The question of possible wear, caused by the motion of a vehicle, both in respect of ordinary fuel tanks on vehicles and those for bulk delivery, would, no doubt, have to receive consideration.
Growth of the A.A.
A N increase of lm. in seven years to a total membership of 2m., is announced by the Automobile Association. It was in 1905 that the Association was formed with a membership of fewer than 100, and it reached only 10,000 after four years. Recently, however, the increase has been at the rate of considerably more than 1,000 a day.
Despite the fact that the service given to members costs over £12,000 daily and that the benefits are constantly being increased, the annual subscription has remained unchanged at 2 gns., which, in these days of almost general increases, is a remarkable accomplishment.
Leyland's Star Turn
A UDIENCES who see the new Columbia film "The Long Haul," now being shown in London and elsewhere, cannot fail to be impressed by the performance of the Leyland Octopus oil-engined eight-wheeler which " stars " in the picture with Diana Dors and Victor Mature.
The story of the film and of the hazards encountered in its production, has already been told in The Commercial Motor of March 8, and April 19. It may be added, however, that it is not until the climax—a dramatic getaway bid—that the Octopus is really put through its paces.
The ensuing cross-country trek across some of the wildest and most deserted parts of the Scottish Highlands is certainly most impressive. Had the vehicle in question been a Tank, its success might have been taken for granted, but considering that it is a normal model, off the assembly line, it constitutes excellent proof of clever design and robust construction.
100 Papers for Discussion
THERE is little doubt that the conference on lubrication and wear, referred to in The Commercial Motor dated August 23, will attract great interest. There have been remarkable advances in lubrication since a similar conference held 20 years ago, and the extent to which the combined subjects will be treated is shown by the fact that some 100 papers will be presented fctr discussion, in which foreign visitors may join.
Greater loads, higher temperatures and speeds, and different materials all present new problems, and even the effects of nuclear radiation on certain lubricants will be studied, as will various additives.