Answers to Queries.
Page 26
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any poin.s cunnected 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 and answer may be published. Some replies, owing to pressure on our space, are held several weeks. Numerous requests reach us for lists of motorcab and commercial-vehicle owners, these we never supply. Our adverti:ement
columns are open to those who desire to make announcements to owners for the purposes of trade.
[2149] (Coventey).—We described and illustrated the Thornycroft 24-ton Colonial model in our issue of the 30th January, 1913, pp. 4b1-2.
[2150] (Lancashire).—The Carillion fire bell is of the type in which a leather thong is fastened to the clapper. It is very largely used by the London Brigade, but not exclusively._ You can buy them from Messrs. Simonis and Co., Victoria Avenue, Walthamstow, and from other fire-brigade material specialists.
Warning to Passengers as to Accident Liability on Mail Vehicles.
[2151] (South W.ales).—With reference to your inquiry as to whether you will be " free from any claims by passengers in ease of accident " providing that you fix a notice plate on your motor mail and passenger wagon, with the following words—" Passengers riding on this bus do so at their own risk," we consider that you would be free from such claims if you take this precaution, and if you additionally put the notice on the tickets and on all other notice bills concerning the service. It is possible that the local authorities may refuse you a licence if you take such action. It would he better business to take responsibility in the ordinary way and to insure against it.
Will an Old L.G.O.C. Chassis Suit for Ccal and Coke Delivery?
[2152] (Hampshire).—The machines about which you inquire might suityour purpose if one were properly selected. It is one of onr branches of work to examine and select vehicles for subscribers, and our fee for such work is two guineas. You would certainly get much experience, and be able to feel your way, by making a beginning in this manner. It would probably be advisable that you should offer to pay a little more than £25 for the chassis (say £35). in order to get one a little better than the average. You certainly could not begin haulage at a lower capital outlay than is indicated.
Points About a Foden on Order. Queries as to Trailer Loads.
[2153] (Bolton).—The Foden people should keep you right on any of the points concerning axle-weights and tire dimensions. It w ill rest with you so to load the wagon that the back-axle weight at no time exceeds the limit of eight tons.
With regard to the trailer, you should particularly see that an arrangement is fitted for the brakes to be applied from the motor wagon, as, failing this arrangement, you will require to have a man sitting on the trailer at all times when it is used.
You must at no time load the trailer so that the total weight on any axle exceeds four tons, and, if the unladen weight of the trailer exceeds one ton, you must naint on it, upon the right or off side, in letters and figures not less than 1 in. in height, its unladen weight, and the maximum weight that you expect to put on any axle—four tons is the limit for each axle.
The minimum width of tire allowed on a trailer is 3 in., but in order to carry four tons on any axle. you will require to fit tires of, say, 5i in. if the wheels are 3 ft. in diameter).
The Foden people themselves will assuredly give you all advice and assistanee in regard to any points about the working of their machines.
Opinion Upon a Chassis. We Advise against Pieasure-car Types.
12153] (Tadeaster).—This chassis is not designed for commercial purposes, but is a motorcar chassis. At the same time, if you were going to use it for quite small loads—say not more than 6 cwt. of packages— it might suit your purpose. On the other hand, pneumatic tires will be rather costly, compared with solids. We should say that you would do much better to buy a vehicle which is designed from the outset for commercial purposes for a 10 cwt. load. You might apply in regard to this to any of the makers whose announcements appear in this )ournal.
More Information Wanted Before Costs Can be Estimated.
[2155] (Walsall).—It is impossible for us to give you the information for which you ask unless you can furnish us with further particulars. These should inelude: (a) The load capacity of each van. (b) The estimated mileage each van will carry out daily and weekly. cc) The nature of the road surfaces and hills you will have to tackle.
(d) State' whether the machines are new or second-hand.
(e) State the type of body. If you will send these particulars, we will do our best to help you.
Wants the Names of Suitable Books to Help Him in His Business.
[2156j (Brighton).— We note you wish us to give you names of some suitable books which deal with such subjects as: the theory and practice with regard to the best design of engine, transmission, etc. ; and the theory and practice of gears and gear-cutting,. together with descriptions of case-hardening and tempering processes. You would do well to purchase the two volumes of A. Graham Clark's text book entitled
Motor Car Engineering," published by Constable and Co., Ltd. David Brown, Ltd., the well-known gear specialists of Huddersfield, issue several handy little manuals on gears and gear-cutting, and these are as good as anything of their kind. Any good engineering manual would give you the information you require with regard to ease-hardening and tempering.
Commercial Motors which are not Hackney Carriages. Statistics of Users.
[2157] (London).—The question which you put to us is a most-difficult one to answer, It is complicated further by the fact that many strictly commercial motors are not heavy motorcars, seeing that numbers of tradesmen's vans weigh less than two tons unladen. You will recall that the definition of a heavy motorcar, by the Order of 1904, reads : " A motorcar exceeding two tons in weight unladen."
Exclusive of motorbuses, motor chars-k-bancs, motoreabs and other hackney carriages, but including all tradesmen's vans, no matter of what unladen weight, both petrol and steam, we should put the fieures for which you ask, in round numbers, after allowing for lapsed licences, at the following:—
England and Wales ... ... 1-1.000 Scotian d A considerable proportion of the output of many makers is now exported.