A Lesson for the Fleet Operator
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WHILST it would not be economical or even the largest operator to maintain extensive machine shops that would probably never be fully engaged, there is much that both large and small operators can learn from those undertakings which have made it their business to specialize in problems of service and maintenance.
One such organization is Manton Motors, Ltd., with headquarters at 23, Shirley Road, Croydon, a commercial-vehicle repair section in Teevan. Road, Croydon, and machine shops in the same area. During a visit which I recently paid to this concern I was particularly impressed by the facilities provided for the mechanical handling of heavy cornponents The provision of such equipment means not only less physical effort on the part of the operatives, but saving in man-hours.
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Overhead runways arc taken to all parts of the works where the lifting of heavy components may be called for, so that instead of, say, half a dozen men being called away from their jobs to "give a hand," the manipulation of even the heaviest component can be managed by two men with speed and safety. I noticed that the unloading of a complete vehicle frame was performed by one man by the aid of block-and-tackle gear, an operation that would take at least four men without such aid, and be awkward at that.
A particularly active side of the undertaking is that connected with engine rebuilding, as at the present time there is a steady flow of 16 units passing through each week on what is known as an overhaul production basis: This batch of engines is composed of five Leyland PD1 oilers for a big operator in London, four Perkins oil engines, and seven petrol units. In addition, over 200 miscellaneous engines are rebuilt each year on a more flexible output basis than is possible with the contract scheme. Although no operator is likely to have to deal with such an output, a well-planned system is essential to the maintenance of a smooth flow of work, even when dealing with a few units per week.
In the case of Manton Motors, Ltd.. engines coming under the firstmentioned scheme, and which are of identical type, are batched. Their components overhauled under a subassembly system, the control cards for the unit assemblies -give an
tccurate record of time spent on the vork and of the material used.
The final assembly of each engine, mder its original master card, pro;resses with the automatic grouping if the overhauled components with heir respective control cards.. In this vay a comprehensive record relating
o each engine that passes through is .vailable for reference.
A simple scheme hat could be adopted
n any maintenance Ind service depot is t progress board, as ised by Manton vlotors, Ltd. The :omponent is identiled in the left-hand :olumn and the other :olumns bear such leadings as "not tripped," "stripped," 'spares ordered," await spares," and
o on.
As work on a unit ■ roceeds, a disc is noved to the approiriate column on. the ioard,. so that at a lance it is. possible to ellthe stage reached n the rebuilding of a articular. engine'. Theame idea could be pplieAl to other corn oonents, .including lectrical gear. Every hop has its notice ioard, so that the iperatives c a n b e .ept posted with any tern which the
nanagernent coniders should be .vailable to them.
Machining and iart-assembly work, s distinct from cornilete rebuilds, is arried out for the rade and large operaors. To deal with his work and give irompt service, a ully equipped nachine shop is equired. In this espect, I cannot emember having gen better facilities .vailable in any but the largest stablishments.
In addition to a wide range Of athes, drilling machines, crankshaft Tinders, in-line borers and connectas-rod borers, there are two engine est houses, in one of which there re two test beds. At the time of ny visit a Leyland PD1 and a 'erkins engine were installed. Some idea of output may be gauged from the facts that 15,00G crankshafts are reground each year, and that one operative alone accounts for 80 cylinder bores a day, the equivalent of 10 Ford V8 blocks. In the matter of crankshaft grinding, the work varies from, say, an Austin Seven shaft to that in a Caterpillar D8, one of which was being mounted in its crankcase at the time of my visit.
A useful side to the business is concerned with the reclamation of worn parts by the metal-spraying process. To illustrate the variety of work handled in this department, the operative may turn from a batch of stub-axle pins to the rectification of a worn turbine shaft—a highly
skilled job. Among the parts I saw being reclaimed were crankshafts, king-pins, universal joints, .turbine shafts, and pump spindles and shafts.
Users of Perkins-engined vehicles will be particularly interested in the fact that M..anton Motors, Ltd., is a
service •agent for this make of unit and can give prompt and specialized service with road vehicle, marine and other engines.
This concern operates some interesting outfits which enable it to carry out repair work either on the operator's premises or, in emer gencies, at a n y distance from base. The first of these machines is a mobile electric-welding plant, mounted on .a Karrier Bantam chassis, in which a Perkins engine is used to drive the generator. A second outfit, in which an oil engine again supplies the power, comprises an a.c. generator and a large capacity compressor.
The third of the mobile repair and maintenance units is in the form of a workshop, so that there are few facilities which Manton Motors, Ltd., cannot offer its customers wherever they , may be situated. In addition to the vehicles mentioned, there are four Commer vans, one of which is equipped for field repair work and incorporates injectortesting equipment, a Perkins eng ined Commer for collection and delivery, heavy and medium breakdown vehicles, and a Commer chassis carrying a 5-ton crane.
Operators of Commer and Karrier vehicles, in particular, will find the new stores department of great service, as the company, a main agent for these vehicles, carries one of the most comprehensive range of spares in the country The stores premises have been only recently acquired for the purpose of centralizing one of the busiest departments.