Answers to Queries.
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped and addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query an answer may be Published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks.
Motor Contracting in London.
L1,581:1, " EAST LONDON " write :—" Can you inform Os who we can lure motor lorries of E' Three tons„ yearly contract," ANSWER.—We recommend you to apply to Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd. of Cambridge Circus, WI'., or the B.u.n.T. Co., Lid., of 36, Causton Street, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W.
Horse or Motor?
[1,585] "SroKE NEWINUTON" writes;—' Referring again to your report of the published results of the A.ssoeiated Omnibus Co.'s working for the past 12 mouths, I should esteem it a favour if you would give me your opinion as to whether you consider they (a) Revert to motors ; (b) Amalgamate with the L.G.O.C.; or (c) Go on as at present until finance breaks down t;
" I wonder why they view their apparently-poor results with such complacency, especially as their working arrangements with the L.G.O.C. will soon begin to ' hold up motorization of existing routes ? "
AN;waa.—We are not in a position to tell you whether the Associated Omnibus Co., Ltd., will revert to motors: the directors may not be able to arrange the extra financial support. They lost a great deal of money in the early days of motor-bus operation, and we should say it is extremely improbable that they will recover from that loss.
A Taxicab Query.
[1,586] " SMALL OWNER. writes.—" I purchased a — taxicab, with 10-12 h.p. engine, about 2:15 years ago. It has been a lot of trouble to me. Mv present trouble is with the back axle, and I should be glad of your advice. The bevels get loose on the squares of the half axles, and give the cardan shaft a lot of backlash. At moderate speeds, the cab is driven along in jerks like a kangaroo. It has been taken down seven or eight times. the bevels heated and shrunk in water, which has made them a -Oglit fit, but it only lasts about a fortnight. " I have been advised against having new shafts and bevels, as the — method of fitting them on to squares has proved unsatisfactory. It has now been suggested to me that I should have them welded on, as being the cheapest and most satisfactory way. Otherwise, the alternative of having new shafts with the bevels fitted on hexagons. It is (in the question of having them welded on that I should like you to advise me. The chassis, springs and universal joints have all proved too weak for cab work, whilst the plate clutch has almost made me a blackguard! ."
ANSWER.—The cause of the trouble with the back axle of your taxicab is, in all probability, due to the fact that the dimensions of the square ends of the shafts, upon which the bevels are mounted, are too small. The system is quite a common one, and, if properly carried out, gives no trouble. There can be no objection to your having the bevels welded to the shafts, provided that this be done by competent people. Great care would have to he taken with the lining-up. You must also be assured that you would still be able to assemble and to dissemble the whole axle satisfactorily, when the shafts had been joined to the bevel wheels in this way. If, however, you decide to have new shafts, they should be of slightly-larger diameter where the wheels are to be fitted, and we should advise the employment of a eastellated end, in preference to the hexagon which you suggest. Keys milled on the solid shaft, if property fitted and of correct dimensions. will never give you any trouble.
"Auto-Carriers" for Canada.
1.1,587] " NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR " writes:—" Having noticed in your journal a cut of an auto-carrier used by The Morning Post ' of London, I am taking advantage of your offer to furnish information regarding the same. If you consider this type as the best suited for our purpose, will you kindly enclose catalogue of the Goodehild Co. along with information. I presume there LS no agent in
this country The duty is 25 per cent, at the least.
" Our present cost for delivering papers to agents and stations is *IS a week (six days) for four carts, horses and drivers ; owing to trains leaving different stations at the same time, we would require three carriers, The earth v.-ork about I hour earls, and cover circuits of about four miles each. There are other expenses amounting to $200 a year, which could be saved if running expensesincluding repairs—with carriers are low enough.
Our reasons for considering a change are: our present delivery is not as efficient as we would like, and we have been considering the question of buying our own carts: more for the advertising value than the reductions of expense. It might be advisable to secure one at first."
ANSWER. AlltO•Carlier " is giving good results in London, but it is advisable not to carry more than 400 lb. of net weight, in addition to the driver, on had roads, although the makers find it will stand up to 650 lb. as a rule. It is a cheap machine, and you ought to be able to work it, inclusive of depreciation, maintenance and wages, at anything between six and eight cents. a mile run. We are requesting the Goodchild Co. to write to you frilly. 'We should advise you to purchase one only for a start, and to give it extra hard work for six months.
About Motor Fire-Engines.
[1,588] " LOCAL " write:—" We beg to tender you our most sincere thanks for your confidential letter of the
6th February re most-successful motor for lire Brigade. We have practically decided to push only one make of ear, and trust to its meeting with the approval of the Corporation, and our choice, guided to a great extent by your recommendation, has fallen on the ---. Do not you consider it better to pursue this policy, than to submit two or three makes and to push no line in particular? We think that the — should prove quite suitable.
" We have had an interview with the superintendent of the brigade, and we gathered from his remarks that they may possibly think of getting a first-aid electric liretender, and perhaps also an ambulance wagon of the same description. What is your opinion concerning the efficiency of this class of vehicle ? They do not seem to be very generally adopted, but, if any way reliable, it may be worth our while to recommend them. We appreciate the fact that your long experience qualifies you to give sound advice on matters of this nature, and any suggestions which you may consider helpful to us, in our endeavour to secure this order, will be much valued."
ANSWER.—We do not think you have any occasion to depart from the — manufacture, and you have references to several towns. We do not believe in electrically-driven equipment; it is pra,ctieally only a second or so quicker in its response to a call. lint that is of little avail. The petrol engine can be started so rapidly, that any improvement on the celerity with which one can leave a station would simply mean that the engine would have to wait for its crew. As it is, often enough, at a motor turnout. the firemen barely have time to get aboard, and it is no 11SP to turn out an engine if the men are not with it. Further, questions of proper management, and the deterioration of the plates in the cells, may prove a serious one, if accumulators are used.