• Ford Introduces a Commercial Tractor
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A COMMERCIAL version of the Fordson Major agricultural tractor will be shown at the Smithfield Show at Earls Court from December 8-12. The
choice of either an oil engine or petrol unit is given, with respective power outputs of 40:5 b.h.p. and 39.5 b.h.p. at 1,600 r.p.m.
The pedal-operated brakes have 14-in. by 24-in. drums attached directly to the rear wheels, whilst the multi-plate hand brake takes effect on the transmission. Heavy-duty 9.00 by 36-in. six-ply tyres are fitted on the rear wheels, with 6.00 by 19-in. tyres at the front.
Designed for easy coupling and uncoupling, the drawbar is spring-loaded to ensure a smooth take-up of the load. A mirror and speedometer form essential equipment.
The specification includes a gearbox providing six forward speeds and two reverse ratios and a recirculatory ball type steering gearbox. The vaporizing oil engine, not being legal for operation on the highway, cannot be offered in the commercial tractor. •
The Forilson Major tractor is now available as a tractive unit for use an the highway. In its commercial form ii differs little externally from the agricultural type, but has brakes acting directly on the rear wheels and 9.00 by 36-in, six-ply
tyres at the rear.
SWISS ARMY ACCEPTS MORRIS-COMMERCIAL THE Morris-Commercial 1i-ton four1 wheel-drive all-purpose lorry has passed the Swiss Army's operational vehicle test, and is claimed to be the first British commercial model to do so. As a result, Swiss civilian buyers become entitled to a 66i-per-cent. rebate on the import duty, subject to the signing of a formal agreement,
The Swiss scheme has been designed to assist both the Army and civilian contractors. The military authorities put the vehicle through a searching test, involving all kinds of hazard and hard driving, which is witnessed by a military and civil commission. In return for the rebate, the -owner gives the Army the right to control the vehicle in question for five years and undertakes to keep it in good condition.
In the case of the MorrisCommercial, the import duty is £450, of which £300 will now be refunded to buyers who sign up their vehicle with the Army.
SOUTHEND TO ABANDON TROLLEYBUSES
TROLLEYBUSES are to be abut'. doned in Southend, the town council decided at a recent meeting. The transport committee had reported that one system of transport would permit more complete integration of services, with a probable reduction in the total number of vehicles required. It was stated that a substantial sum might he realized through the sale of the copper wire.
CONTRACT TAKEN FROM R.H.E.
HAVING been asked by the Government to reduce administration costs, said Mr. John Eadie, Angus education director, the council accepted a tender from Mr. W. F. Brown, Muirdrum, near Arbroath, the lowest
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received, for the carriage of school meals. Mr. Brown applied to the Scottish Licensing Authority last week for a B licence so that he could continue his contract.
Objections were lodged by the Railway and Road Haulage Executives. Mr. Eadie said that the R.H.E., which had formerly held the contract, had sometimes sent unsuitable vehicles to the depot. Some of the lorries arrived straight from other work and were unclean.
The licence was granted to cover only the carriage of school meals.
NO FARES RISE IN HALIFAX
NO variation in fares will be necessary for Halifax Transport Department during the current year. The last increase was in August, 1951. The financial position of the undertaking was recently reviewed and account was taken of the Budget rise in the taxation of fuel and of national wages awards.
Workmen's return fares, on the basis of l times the single fare. are still available up to 8 a.m. The department made a net profit of £4,144 in the year ended March 31.
STAFF INCREASE QUESTION
'WHEN the Minister of Transport was VII asked by Co!. Gornme-Duncan last week why the staff of the Transport Tribunal had risen form 10 in 1951-52 to 15 in 1952-53, he said that this was because of the transfer to it of the functions of the Appeal Tribunal. The increase; however, was more than offset by the saving of the staff of the Appeal Tribunal.
EDINBURGH DECISION STANDS
THE decision to abolish the city's trams is to be adhered to by Edinburgh Town Council. Motorbuses will replace them over a period of some three years. The council discussed the question again recently after protests had been made against its original resolution.
Winter Liaison Plan to Continue
THE liaison machinery set up last winter by the British Transport Commission, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries, the National Farmers' Union and the . National Union of Manufacturers to keep traffic moving under adverse conditions is to he preserved this winter and brought into action if necessary.
A meeting among these bodies took place recently and it was recognized that the railways and the Road Haulage Executive could handle greater tonnages. Existing facilities could meet all requirements this winter unless the conditions were abnormally severe.
Users are being asked to continue and intensify co-operation with the B.T.C. in all measures which will assist in making the best use of transport. These include careful regulation in the forwarding of goods, loading vehicles to capacity, ordering no more vehicles than the precise number needed, and dealing with them promptly.
MINISTER'S PROMISE ON ROADS
SPEAKING at the anniversary IonAeon of the Institute of Transport, last week, Mr. A. T. Lennox-Boyd, Minister of Transport, promised that• when economic conditions improved, he would at once stake a claim for better roads. He deplored the fact that economic circumstances had caused the highways to deteriorate, but he had to support the Chancellor of the Exchequer's plans to facilitate the country's recovery.
He described the railway proposals contained in the Transport Bill as revolutionary and asked members of the Institute to approach them in the light of modern conditions.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John C. Slessor, Chief of the Air Staff. said that a niore efficient transport system would aid home food production.