WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of Me roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier,
The French Subvention Trials.
The military trials of lorries and tractors organized by the French Ministry of War commenced on Saturday last, and will conclude on December 17th. The list of the vehicles taking part in the trials includes 10 makes, representing some 20 vehicles. Amongst those participating we find the names of Peugebt,. Renault, Berliet, Latil, etc., who have succeeded, in spite of very short notice, in preparing their lorries and tractors for this proof of endurance.
The following is a detailed list of the entrants : Category L—Lorries, 71tons Renault, two; Berliet, two; Dewald, two.
Category 2.-2-Tractors of from 15-20 tons Renault, two; Blum-Latil, two.
Category 3.—(a) Heavy agricultural tractors : Raven i (four-wheeled), two; Renault (chain tracks), two; Latil (wheeled), two; Peugeot (chain tracks), two. (13) Light agricultural tractors : Ara (chain tracks), two.
The trials are taking place over 6.ix routes chosen in the region of Versailles. The first run (Route A) takes place on November 30th; the second run, on the rams route, will occur on December 7th. All the vehicles will folImk the same course :- Route A.—Satory, Versailles, La Croix de-Berny, Juvisy-sur,Orge, Croixde-13erny, Courcouronnes, Longjumeau, La Croix-de-Berny, Versailles, Satory (81 kilom
Route B (on December 5th and 12th). Satery, Versailles, Jouy-en Josas, Longjumeau, flondouffe, Arpajon, Montlhery, jouy-en-Josas, Versailles, Satory (74 kilom.).
Route .0 (on Deceinber 2nd, 0th and 14th). —Satory, Versailles, Longjumeau, La Grande-Folie, Boo, Versailles, Satory (79. kilom.).
Route D (on December 3rd, 10th and 150).—Satory, Dampierre, Ram bouillet, Montfort-l'Amaury, Neauphlele-Chateau, Saint-Cyr,,yersailles, Satory (77 kilom.).
Route E (on December 1st and 8th). --Satory, Versailles, La Queue-les
Yvelines, Gambais, Bourdorme, Le Perray, Trapper, Versailles, Satory (81 kilom.).
Route F (on December 6th to 13th).Satory, Versailles, Croix-Noailles, La Maladrerie, Piths, Mareihs/-MauIdre, Noisy-le-Roi, Rocquencourt, Versailles, Satory (76 kilom.).
in addition to the runs there -will be part,icular tests which will be held din
lug the intervals. The first, which will be held on November 30th, will consist of the towing of one lorry by the other from Juvisy-sur-Orge to La Croix-deTierny On Route F, between the sixth and twelfth stops, there will be a trial of road wheel brakes, for which purpose the vehicles will be tested on the hill of Cmur-Volant (Port-Marly), where the brakes will be tested with the vehicles travelling forward. At Rocquencourt, the brakes will be tested with the vehicles running baCkwards.
On Route D, tests will bp made,of the tractor windlesses on the hill of Neau phle-le-Chatetru. • Finally, there will be a test of spuds on the hill of Saiot-Remy-Tes-C.hevrense.
Sales Campaign in Rural Districts. .
A motor lorry campaign among farmers in the West Midlands is being under-. taken by Clement-Talbot, Ltd., North Kensington, London. Many farmers and fruit growers in the district have considered the adoption of mechanical transport for handling ,their produce, and there are many lorries already in use. The lorries that are being demonstrated are reconditioned and not new. They are offered at attractive prices for cash or deferred payments, and include the following makes :—Karrier, Dennis, A.E.C., Austin.
The places visited by the demonstration vehicles on market days la,st week included Worcester, Ledbury, lIereford, Bromyard, Leominster, Gloucester.
Moving Signs for. Motor Vans •
In our issue for November 15th we illustrated the A.E.C. single-deck bus which rendered such excellent. service to Temple Press Ltd_ during the period of the Commercial Vehicle and Touring Car Shows.
. Those who saw this illustration will remember that the vehicle was fitted with a novel, oscillating sign fixed to the
roof of the vehicle. Weshould have pointed out that this sign is the invention of Pearson and Marsden, Ltd., 1/6a, Islington, Liverpo51. This company have had considerable experience in -the manufacture of changing signs for motor vans, and it may be remembered that we described some little while ago their "
Adverb o " revolving sign which is capable of being driven in several ways.
The sign which was fitted to the A.E.C. vehicle was of the type which is made for fixing the full length of a vehicle, in which case the movement has to be oscillating (otherwise the reading would be upside dowv on one side), or to fit across the front of the cab, in • which case it revolves. The latter is the niece popular type.
Damaged Weighing Machines.
Further damage to weighing machines by motors is recorded by the Glasgow Corporation. The public weighing machine at Gallowgate has been broken by a steam wagon owned by Mr. Robert Robb, contractor, Soho Street, and the weighing machine at Bollokshaws Road has been broken by a steam Wagon belonging to Mr. Wm, MacMillan, contractor, 73, Smith Street. Both weighing machines were broken during the operathin of weighing.
A committee of the Corporation has lodged claims for damages, but will withhold proceedings until an action, now procteding, against Mr. Wm. Carmichael, for damaging a weighbridge, has been decided by the Court..
In our next issue we shall describe an entirely new six-wheeled motor vehicle of Belgian origin, and an important article in the ism° will deal with the steering and control of articulated sixwheeled vehicles.
Oran Agriculture.
According to a report issued by the Department of Overseas, .:radss on the general trade of Oran and district for the year 1920, a slight improvement in the imports of agricultural. ManhOnerv and implements was experienced in 192b over the imports of 1919, bothns regards goods from the United Kingdom and other sources. American manufacturers have made a bold bid for the market for agricultural machinery and implements, and appear to be making considerable headway. A big factor in this respect is the fact that the native now appear to be taking more interest in modern implements than hitherto, having up to the present contented themselves with the rudimentary implements to which they have been accustomed for past centuries.
German products have once again appeared on the local market. particularly ploughs.
Motor tractors and ploughs for agricultural purposes from France and the United States figure largely in the list of imports. Considerable numbers of motor lorries have also made their appearance in Oran, chiefly emanating from France, although many Fiat vehicles have found their way to the Colony from Italy.
New S.W. Lancs. Bus Services.
Another new motor omnibus service is contemplated in South-west Lancashire. For some time the Irlam Motor Garage Co. has been maintaining a service between Warrington and Patricroft, and now the Lancashire United Tramways Co. propose, in the near future, to extend their Worsley service to Peel Green, linking np.-to the termini of the Salford tramways and then proceeding alongLiverpool road through Irlam, Cadishead, Hollins Green, to Warrington. The company has taken the initial steps for the installation of the project by approaching the local council as to whether it will grant licences.
Belgian Agriculture.
The commercial secretary to H.M. Embassy in Brussels reports that the Societe de Mecanique et d'Industries Agricoles will hold their ninth exhibition of agricultural machinery in the hall at the Oinquantenaire, Brussels, from February 18th to 27th, 1922. Applications for space should be received by the 8ociet6 at 29, rue de Spa, Brussels, be
fore January 15th. In addition to agricultural machinery, the exhibition will comprise a number of articles for the agricultural and horticultural industries.
The exhibition is well worth the attention of British firms who desire to find a market for such goods in Belgium, hut American competition is keen, and it is therefore essential for any British. firm desirous of introducing their machinery into Belgium to keep a stock in the country from which immediate delivery, both of machines and spare parts, can be made.
AlgerianTransport.
Since the war, and more particularly during the years 1918 and 1919, there has been a. considerable development of road transport in Algeria, as a result of a, lack of rolling stock on the railways, of the increases in railway tariff, and of the irregularity of train services. The following tables show the number of lorries and buses registered for service in the various departments of Algeria at the end of the years 1918, 1919 and 1920:—
Several more or less regular lorry and bus services have been started in Algeria, but as a result of the economies crisis it has been found necessary to suspend many of them, and, consequently, r large number of vehicles are out of commission. As these services are continually being amended it would serve no purpose to mention them in detail, but reference must be made to the passenger services inaugurated by the Compaguie Generale Transatlantique during the winter of 1920-1921 between Algiers and Tunis, Algiers and Laghouat, and Algiers and Casablanca and Marrakech.
Smart Delivery Vans.
We illustrate on this page two in teresting motorvans which have recently been delivered. That on the left depicts a 25 cwt. Albion box van supplied to a well-known North London firm of drapers and furnishers. The chassis is fitted with a 20 h.p. engine, and it will be noticed that the front wheels are shod with pneumatic tyres, which are of Dunlop manufacture, whilst those at the rear are North British twin solids.
The other van body is fitted on a 1 ton Ford chassis, and was supplied by James Kane, Ltd., of Kywicks Lane, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. The body is built up of ash framing with wellseasoned mahogany panels, three at each side. Double doors are provided at the back of the body, as well as a single door on the near side, which serves as an entrance to the driver's compartment. Being built for light but. bulky loads, the body is very roomy, its dimensions being : length behind driver's compartment, 8 ft. ; width, 5 ft. ; height, 5 ft. 3 ins. Provision is made for accommodating a spare rim and tyre 'under the floorbeards at the rear.
The price of this type of body is very reasonable, and the makers are in a position to give early delivery.
Beyond the CoUncil's Power.
Recently the Ministry of Transport, after &tiding a local inquiry, intimated that it could not make regulations imposing a speed limit of 10 miles an hour on certain roads in the Borough of Christchurch.
The Hampshire County Council notified the Town Council of the result, and that authority has now drawn the attention of the county council "to the great damage to house property resulting from the vibration caused by the heavy traffic on the Main roads which are unsuitable for such work," and asking the county council to find a/ remedy. The matter was referred to the County Main Roads Committee which regrets that it is unable to make any recommendation to the council in the matter.
The Anti-Attrition Metal Co., Ltd., inform us that they have closed their City offices situated at. Cornwall Buildings, 35, queen Victoria Street, B.C., and opened more extensive promises at 1, Victoria Street, London, S.W. 1.
Roads at Pre-war Prices.
In view of the lament of many local authorities as to the high cost of road maintenance, it is astonishing to learn, from the annual report of the surveyor, that the Sheffield Corporation has succeeded in maintaining its roads at prewar prices. During 1920-21 expenditure on highway work (280,934) showed a considerable decrease, that for the previous year being 2125,700. Indeed, the expenditure for 1920-21 closely approximated to the pre-war average. Moreover, the whole' of the work was paid for out of the year's rates, whereas before the war the constant practice was to provide a considerable proportion of such expenditure by means of loan. The present method is more economical, and the ratepayers have reason for congratulation on the financial position so far as the highways are concerned.
The comparatively low costs are doe, first, to the policy, consistently followed . for many years, of using tarred material instead of the old-fashioned waterbound—or, really, mud-bound—macadam; secondly, to the regular tarspraying of the roads; and, thirdly, to the recent introduction of improved materials, particularly clinker, asphalt. For the five years ended March, 1910, the average cost of maintaining the highways in the city was 2251 per mile. For the succeeding five years, to March, 1915, it was £235 per mile. For the five years terminating March, 1920, the average was 2152 per mile. Last year's figure was 2229, and this year's estimate is 2268 per mile.
It will, therefore, be seen that the highway work is being carried on at about a pre-war figure.
Tipping 8,500 Times in Ten Days.
Many of the visitors to the Commercial Motor Exhibition .at Olympia remember the interesting rotary tipping gear shown in motion on one of the Autocar vehicles exhibited by J. C. Fell, Ltd., Oxford Engineering Works, Ashton-under-Lyne.
We havwxneeived from this company some interesting details regarding this gear. At the,Show it was kept in constant motion by means of an electric CS motor fixed under the chassis, and although this was not driven at the speed at which the engine would have worked the tipping gear, the body moved -up and down in 29 secs, for the complete cycle, and the company calculated that by the end of the Show it must have tipped nearly 8,500 times. In spite of this, so little power was required that it -cost approximately 15s. only.
A Motor Coffee Stall.
One of the novelties which was shown in the gallery at the recent Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition was a motor refreshment bar mounted on a 7 cwt. Ford chassis, and built by Allan, Taylor and Co., 126-128, High Street, Wandsworth, London.
This vehicle displayed considerable care and ingenuity in its design and construction, and appeared well worth the price quoted, viz., 2270, or £110 for the body alone. When not employed or on the road, the body can be completely enclosed. In use, the near side folds half down to form a broad counter, while the top half binges up to form a canopy over the counter and customers; it is held in this position by two swing brackets.
In the floor behind the rear axle is a deep serving well, which gives the attendant plenty of head room; this well can be covered in when desired, and the vehicle used as a closed van for the conveyance of goods; in this case access to the well is provided by folding doors at the back, which are additional to the main doors.
The equipment includes a stand for two urns and two shelves with hooks and a mirror. The interior is lighted by two electr:c bulbs, and over the door is a red glass, which eliminates the need for a tail lamp when the vehicle is drawn up for use. A deep rail is fitted round the roof, so that' parcels can be carried there, and discs are fitted to the wheels to prevent customers placing their feet on the spokes.
In another design arrangements are being made to permit serving from the rear also.
When required, the bar body canifbe removed, leaving the driver's seat, and a touring, landaulet or two-seater body fitted.
The Bus Conductor's Health.
A statement of a semi-humorous kind recently appeared in a local paper, which suggested that the occupation of the London bus conductor nanked among the "dangerous occupations." It was .suggested that "on an average four conductors die every, week, to say nothing of those who fall. ill."
The true facts are in such emphatic contrast that they deserve publicity. On inquiry we find that the records of the L.G.O. Co. for the three years since the return to peace conditions show the following figures : Sickness percentage is naturally higher than that of mortality. During theAsAme period it has remained stable at about 1.5 per cent. of the men employed. With these figures before them the public can definitely adhere to the recognized fact that the open-air life of the bus conductor is one of the healthiest forms., of employment.
Benz Mannheim Factory to Close.
The firm of Benz and Co. in Mann. heim, Germany, have closed their motorcar factory and discharged their entire staff of workmen, numbering 3,500. The management declares that the constant and threatening demonstrations of the workmen and a late case of maltreatment of one of the managing directors, have made further orderly administration of the works impossible. His Majesty's vice-consul at Frankfort reporting this to the Department of Overseas Trade, states that this lock-out is in no way connected with the negotiations in regard to wages demands now proceeding in Mannheim between the employers' and employees' organizations.
A Garage Stove for Winter Use.
With the frosty nights now to be expected, precautions wall have to be taken against the trouble a water freezing in radiators, water pipes, and jackets, etc., and their resultant bursting. One of the best measures that can be adopted is ths installation of a Kerry Carbotron stove, which consumes a patent slow-burning fuel (Carbotron fuel), and which needs
no attention for long periods. It is, therefore, able to maintain a uniform high temperature throughout the night, At the same time it is economical and perfectly safe—so much so that insurance companies raise no objection to its use. The Kerry :Carbotron is odourless, gives no smoke, requires no flue, and is portable. It can be obtained in four different and convenient sizes from the east London Rubber Co. Ltd from whom a list giving full particulars can be obtained free on request.
York Bus Losses.
The York City Council receiaed a report from the Tramways Committee a few days ago which showed that the buses were losing 23,000 a year, and the committee had decided that if it could not produce a new scheme for a more suitable service it would. have to withdraw the vehicles altogether.
An R.A.C. Trailer Trial.
The Royal Automobile Club has recently issued the certificate on the trial of a Skefko-Dyson ball-bearing trailer which was entered for a 100-mile trial by the Skefko Ball Bearing Co., Ltd., of Luton. The object of the trial was to demonstrate the fuel consumption with a loaded lorry hauling a loaded trailer, and it took place late in October. The total distance covered was 105k miles on the Brighton road, and the average speed maintained was 4.99 m.p.h. (running time only).
The trailer was hitched to a type J Thornycroft lorry, and the weight of the lorry .unladen) was 4 tons 2 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lb., and that of the trailer 1 ton 19 cwt. 3 qrs. A load of 2 tons 18 cwt. 1 qr. 21 lb. (excluding driver and passengers) was carried on the lorry, and 3 tows 16 cwt. 1 qr. 7 lb, uniformly distributed on the trailer. The fuel consumption was 4.97 m.p.g., equivalent to 65.51 ton-miles per gallon (gross load), or 30.44 ton-miles per gallon (net load). In the course of the trial the brakes on the trailer were adjusted on two occasions, occupying a total time of 30 minutes.
Palmer Report.
The report of the Palmer Tyre, Ltd., for the eleven months ended August 31st, 1921, shows a profit for the period of 27,613, which, when added to 23,424, the balance brought forward from the previous year's accounts, makes an available balance of 211,037. Out of this sum the directors recommend the payment of a. dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, free of income tax, leaving a sum of 25,536 to be carried forward, subject to deductions for directors' fees to be voted at the 27th ordinary annual meeting of the company to be held on November 30th.
The company have suffered owing to the general dislocation of business and falling markets during the period covered by these accounts.
Fortnightly Auctions.
We understand that Mr. A. B. E.
Cheeseman A.M.I.M.E.,
F. A.I. (late technical manager and engineer to the A.A. and MU.), has disposed of his interests in Auto-Auctions, Ltd., Westminster, and has become chairman of Motor Exhibition Halls, Ltd. (formerly The Baker Street Motor Car Bazaar), 5, King Street, Baker Street, 'W.
Fortnightly metor auctions will be inaugurated on Thursday, December 8th, and continue regularly on the second and fourth Thursdays in each month. The unique features of " No sale, no charge" and "Approved vehicles only" will form the basis of the sales.
A New Sparking Plug.
• The Hobson Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 29, Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, S.W., have recently introduced the J.A.M. sparking plug, which is a new production specially constructed for use in high-compression, air-cooled, and hot engines. One of the main features of the now mica plug is that it can readily be taken to pieces and reassembled. The entering cone of the plug fits gastight into the socket cone, so the need for • the use of washers and joints, which are so often the cause of leakage, is elimi nated. When the plug is dismantled the body remains in the cylinder head, and only the insulated part, carrying the electrodes need be unscrewed.
Apoint of interest is the drilling of the outer casing in four places, which allows free passage for the air to eine.late round the centre part of the plug.
The various degrees of expansion are compensated; that is to say, the likely lengthening of the centre electrode due to high temperature is compensated by the expansion of the brass connecting piece, the compression of the mica remaining, therefore, constant
Work was commenced on November 21st on the new road between Orange. town and Redcar, to which we referred in a recent issue. The county council and Ministry of Transport are stated to he contributing 78 per cent, of the cost, which is in the vicinity. of 280,000.
Somerset Roads.
According to the 1920.21 report of the county .surveyor of Somerset, the cost of maintenance of the 875.02 miles of rural main roads in the county was 2203.89 pr mile, and of the 84.06 miles of urban main roads 2584.62 per mile. The Long Ashton division is the only one in the county where the roads-20.21 miles—are , directly maintained. by the county.
Numerous fables are included with the report, showing the working costs of the 15 Sentinel and Foden steam wagons and 11 steam rollers owned by the council. The average cost of the steam wagons ,per working day was 23 2s. per loaded mile, 5s. 5d.; per mile travelled, 2s. 9d. ; per ton carried, 4s. 5d. ; and per ton-mile, 1s. 1.88d.; which figures included all outgoings. The average ail-in cost of the steam rollers was 22 9s, per day, and that of the petrol rollers, 22 is. per day.
Greasing Tape for Springs.
Commercial vehicle springs do not receive from many drivers or owners the attention that is necessary to preserve their shock-absorbing qualities, and, although, since the . introduction of gaiters, greater attention has been given to the subject, there are still many users who do not feel disposed to run to the cost of these accessories. These users will probably be interested in the E-Z-E greasing tape and the E-Z-E spring spreader, both of which are marketed at a reasonable figure.
The spring spreader is a simple little
tool .which can be used for separating the legves of springs preparatory to the insertion of the greasing tape. The latter is composed t4 two thin strips of perforated paper, 1* ins. in width, between which is inserted a strip of graphite. It is only necessary to insert a 3 in. or 4 in strip of the tape from the spring extremities, for the pressure of the leaves,one against the other, squeezes out the lubricant through the perforations, and on to the surf ace of the spring. In time the action of the spring disintegrates the paper, which. works out at the sides, taking dirt with it, thus lubricating the leaves and cleaning them at the same time.
The tape is put up in neat col-ahead:1 cartons 12 ins, by 1 ins. by 21 in., eaeln
of which contains sufficient tape to grease' the springs of any vehicle.
Both the tape and the spring opener are of Canadian origin, and the sole selling rights for the United Kingdom are in the hands of Mr. Kenneth A. Beadnall, of Brottort, Yorks.
Cost of Road Repairs.
The Cheshire County Surveyor in his annual report states that, the work of strengthening weak roads has been continued in order to build up sufficient strength preparatory to laying tarmacadam.
Much of the tar-spraying work had been dune by contract owing to lack of plant. The total area covered during the year was 1,740,000 square yards, at a cost of E.38,712. This represented 200 miles of read at an average cost of .£104 per mile, or 5.3d. per square yard.
The price of Goading's patent petrol can carrier and opener, which is made in three finishes, black, galvanized, and plated, and enables a spare can to be made absolutely secure on the running board, has been reduced by 2s. per carrier, Mr. W. H. M. Burgess, 36-40, Glasshouse Street, London, W., is the sole wholesale agent and distributor for this accessor-y.
The Record of the Electrit..
In the course of his annual report on the collection of refuse, now done by means of electric vehicles, the Willesden Council Surveyor states that, having regard to the continuity of the service rendered by all the electric vehicles during that period, it may reasonably be claimed that they axe as iv-liable as any other form of mechanical transport for this class of work.
For instance, 14 refuse-collecting vehicles worked a, total of 4,146 vehicle days, while the aggregate working time lost was 092, hours, or 12 days. In other words, the average time lost was less than one day per vehicle per year— hard to equal by any other form. of transport. The average-mileage per day per vehicle Was 12.3 miles ; consumption of units, 1.250; tons carried, 6.11.
A Ford Problem to Solve.
We have received a letter, which we publish herewith, containing a problem on Ford lubrication. We should be glad if some of our driver readers would endeavour to find a solution of the difficulty. Any letters sufficiently interesting for publication will be included at our page devoted to " Roadside and Garage" and will be paid for at. the usual -rate
"About six months ago I purchased' ,Er Ford ton truck. After three or four weeks' running the engine began to calm rather badly in the first two cylinders. As it was a new machine I lad kept it well replenished with oil, and I 'put the trouble down to this Cause. However, as the oiling-up grew worse-, I had the cylinders rebored and new rings fitted. Still the same trouble occurred, and I had to clean the plugs three or four times a day, and often more frequently than this. I then took out the pistons, one and two, made an oil groove round the bottom edge of each, scraper ring, and bored a few small holes behind them, but with very little result.
"I would point out that the engine has not been badly treated, and I have two other Fords, which have given no trouble whatever of this kind.
"Blackburn, • `` PUZZLED.'"
We gather that a special ghevralet policy 'has' been arranged by Parldon, Barnett and Co., 'insurance brokers, Empire House, Piccadilly. The sutn of 12 guineas is mentioned to us, but this is only for private car users. A slightly higher rate will be quoted for. business vehicles.