Correspondence.
Page 26
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Another Chelmsford Van to Carry " Sunlight " Soap.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—We purchased our Chelmsford motor delivery wagon, of which, we understand, Messrs. Clarkson have already sent you a photograph, with the intention of testing for ourselves whether or not mechanical traction was likely to afford any saving in the delivery of goods to our customers in the immediate neighbourhood of our works here. The work had not previously been entirely done by horse traction, and, therefore, we had no figures for comparison. We have found, where we were able to make comparisons, that in some cases—especially those in which full, or almost full, wagon-loads were dealt with-a distinct saving was effected, whilst in others the cost was higher than previously. The figures, however, we would not care to publish. The principal factor in the costs is that of repairs. We have not had much trouble with the engine part of the mechanism, but heavy expenses have been incurred in connection with the boiler, which is one of the original type. Tyres have also had to be renewed, and this also has run up the repairs bill.
We may add that we have just placed an order with Messrs. Clarkson for an additional wagon, to be used at one of our foreign works, for the class of work upon which we have found the motor wagon to be most suitable, and economical, at Port Sunlight.—Yours faithfully, For Lever Brothers, Limited,
Port Sunlight, Cheshire, JNO. GRAY,
February 8th, lock. General Works Manager.
The Advantage of Broad Tyres and Large Diameters. The Editor," THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir was greatly interested in your very gcod builders' and contractors' issue, which shows that the steam tractor is a most useful motor for those trades, enabling wagon or timber carriage to be hauled as required. But, why is time wasted in finding out what has already been found out by road locomotive makers, viz., the necessity for broad driving wheels of very large diameter, and ash pan and tender high U p to clear soft land, where the drivers are sunk below the ground level ? These, in conjunction with a compound double-crank engine, securing a quiet exhaust and regular turning movement, help to avoid much slipping, and enable much better time to be made with loads. Springs and winding drum are, of course, necessary. It seems to me that a good driving wheel for tractors would be, say, six feet diameter by sixteen inches wide, the eight-inch width nearest the axle bearings to be, say, four inches larger diameter than the outside eight inches, thus travelling on the larger diameter on the hard road, and getting sixteen inches bearing on soft ground. As a chain-driven tractor is very much quieter than a gear-driven one, could not a good tractor be made by reverting to the old design of traction engine, having crank shaft and change-speed gear immediately behind the funnel, and driving differential on back axle by chain. In early engines, chains gave much trouble, which should be non-existent now. This design is much easier to spring than a geared engine. A milling friend has had much wider wheels than usual fitted to his tractor, resulting in much saving of time on the road.—Vours faithfully,
Romsey, FRED PAGE. February loth, 1906.
" 'Acre " Industrial Vehicles.
The Editor," 'Inc COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :•—We note with pleasure the paragraph relating to our company in the current issue of your journal, but wish to point out that it is incorrect to say that we hold the sole agency for Albion commercial motors. These cars are known in England and Wales as Lacre industrial vehicles; there are several points in which they differ from those marketed by the Albion Company. Hoping in future yoo ‘yill note this rather important item.— We remain, yours faithfully, THE LACRE MOTOR CAR COMPANV, LIMITED. I, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Poland Street, W.
The Hastings Motorbuses.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I see, in your edition for February ist, that " AntiTram and Pro-Bus " writes concerning the Hastings motor omnibus services. I can fully endorse his statements, and am myself in the dark to know why they were sold, and I cannot understand the statement, in one of your previous numbers, that they were sold on account of tramway competition, as the trams did not touch their routes. Is it not possible that Hastings will be one of the first towns to be served by the company which I understand the Motorbus Trust is forming to run in provincial towns and cities ?— Yours truly, ARTHUR GOWING. Belper, Purley, Surrey. [Our two previous announcements were quite correct (a) that the electric tramcars provided a considerable factor in the proposed sale to a London promoter; and (b) that the revival of the Hastings motor-omnibus services with up-todate vehicles might be anticipated.—En.]
The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected .with the use of commercial 'motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and 110 responsibility for the views expressed is accepted.