LOOSE LEAVES
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CHAWING recently with Major H. G. Gilchrist, the managing director of Halley Motors, Ltd., he mentioned with regret the passing of the trans mission brake. He considers that a really powerful parking brake of this type is excellent for emergency purposes. In his own words: "It is liked in the North, but the demand from the South is forcing the mounting of all brakes on the axles."
THE service department of the Albion works is treated as entirely separate. It has its own machine tools and makes all the spares for noncurrent models, although a proportion of the main production goes through to it for present models. The method avoids stopping progress in production Mr the purpose of producing old-pattern parts.
THOSE who have had no experience of handling modern commercial vehicles, and remember goods chassis of, say, four years ago, would be literally amazed to drive one of the latest machines, because c10 the physical effort now required is so small ; In many cases the pedal pressures, for example, are less than those required en private motorcars.
When at the Thornycroft works recently, we handled a very heavy multi-wheeler and found that both clutch and brakes could be operated effectively by a pressure little greater than that upon the
accelerator pedal. This is an exceedingly good point, as modern, high-speed, long-distance road transport often involves many hours at the wheel. Whilst the driver's lot may not always be a happy one, it is certainly far easier than it used to be.
SOME of our modern passenger vehicles show a surprising turn of speed, and coach owners often attach considerable importance to this, because this trait usually means that rapid acceleration is possible, even if the highest speed be not always required. In connection with this we might mention that during our recent test of the Dennis 32-seater EV-model bus 52 m.p.h, was reached. AS an example of obstruction which can be caused ' by one horse, we may mention an incident which occurred a few days ago at the junction of Kingsway and Holborn.
The animal, which was drawing a four-wheeled van, fell beside a hoarding (erected, we believe, in connection with the 'deepening of the tramway tunnel) thus completely blocking traffic in all directions. The line of vehicles in Holborn stretched almost as far as Gamages, and was still stationary when we left.
IT is not often that we write on the matter of wireless reception, as sets on coaches have not gained quite the popularity which was at one time prophesied for them. There are many instances, however, in which portable sets are carried, and in this connection our own experiences may prove interesting.
We have found it extremely difficult to arrest microphonic howl due to vibration affecting the valves, despite these being carried in anti-vibratory holders—the detector valve is particularly suscep tible, but some time ago we effected a partial cure by utilizing a valve of C,ossor make. We have now tried out the new type Cossor valve both in this and other positions on a five-valve set and find it excellent in every respect, especially as regards stability and increased volume.
IT is very often said that the best work of any particular kind is produced by a company or person engaged in the production of only one line.. On the other hand, there is very much to be said for a concern producing several lines, the raw materials for which resemble each other. For example, we were recently invited to go around the works of Ransotnes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., at Ipswich, by Mr. Newman, the sales manager. It was pointed out that there was no tendency to use small pieces of ash in odd corners of Ransome bodies, just to use up the bits. All the surplus lengths of ash are used to form handles for lawn mowers or for other parts in different products of the concern. Incidentally, one of the stacks of timber in the many yards in the factory premises contains butts 37 ft. long.