• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

WHEELS of INDUSTRY

" The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

C.M.U.A. NATIONAL SCHEME OF INSURANCE.

The National Council of the Commercial Motor Users Association has completed arrangements for an important national scheme of insurance for its members. For some time past the north-eastern division of the Association has conducted its own insurance department and the members in that area have had the benefit of independent expert advice upon all insurance matters. The National Council has now extended this scheme to cover the whole country and has appointed a concern of insurance brokers to the Association, in charge of the insurance department.

Northern Board Approaching Agreement on Final Grading.

At a meeting of the Northern Joint Conciliation Board, held at Newcastle last week, it was decided that new proposals for a final settlement should be submitted to a further meeting on September 5. It is hoped that at this meeting a final agreement will be reached for the grading of wages, to take effect from January 1, 1936.

The Board wished to .contradiet a statement that at present there was no interim agreement in force, the tact being that it had been extended.

Winding-up of • the R.H.A.

An extraordinary general meeting of the Road Haulage Association is to be held. on August 22. at the Hotel• Metropole, Whitehall Place, London,

S.W.1, at 11 a.m. The meeting is being called for the purpose of winding-up the Association. Mr. Clifford H. Gale, secretary, is to Le appointed liquidator. After payment of the debts and liabilities of the Association, the remaining property is to be transferred to Associated Road Operators.

Aluminium Cylinder Heads for Commercial Vehicles.

The well-known Silvertop aluminium cylinder head, made by the Aluminium Cylinder Head Co., Ltd., is now being handled by Mr. J. A. K. Fergie, Manor Gardens, Chelsea, London, S.W.3. the sole concessionnaire, to whom all inquiries should he directed. These heads will, we learn, be standardized for a number of chassis, including Austin and Morris vans, Commers up to 2i-tons capacity, Fords, Fordsons (four-cylinder, eight-cylinder and tractor models) and certain Albions, and are claimed to give a 20 per cent. increase in pulling power and a 10 per cent, improvement in fuel consumption.

The advantages of aluminium heads, in respect of efficiency, are generally recognized, the chief point being that, by reason of the fact that aluminium BIB has a considerably higher heat conductivity than cast iron, a higher compression ratio can be used without detonation. An additional gain of some importance in the commercial-motor industry is the saving of weight afforded by the employment of the lighter metal for a large part.

Railway Objections to Increased Fleet Withdrawn.

Railway opposition wae withdrawn in an application by Red Arrow Deliveries, Ltd., to the West Midland Licensing Authority, last week. The company sought permission to substitute four lighter vehicles for two larger ones, but before the court sat it was decided to amend the application to two machines for one. On this understanding, and as the new vehicles were to be used as feeders to the company's trunk services, and not for long-distance work, the railways withdrew their objections and the application was granted. LONDON CHAMBER CONSIDERS RATES STABILIZATION.

It is understood that, at a recent meeting, the transport committee of the London Chamber of Commerce considered the stabilization of road haulage rates. Although no official statement has been made, it is believed that the Chamber is giving careful consideration to this important matter.

Mr. Frederick Smith, of Unilever, Ltd., represented the Chamber at the recent congress of the International Chamber of Commerce, in Paris.

Oil from Coat: New Source Next Month.

Actual production of petrol and DieseL oil from coal is to start, early in September, at the new plant erected at Seaham Harbour by Coal and Allied Industries, Ltd., London. ' The first unit will use 500 tons of coal daily and the daily output will be 10,000 gallons of first-grade petrol, 10,000 gallons of oil, and other commodities.

Dangers of Ignoring Wages Agreement.

At a public sitting at Bristol, last week, the Western Licensing Authority emphasized the importance of 'A and B-licence holders observing the wages and conditions laid down by thb Area Conciliation Board. Referring to the recent case in which the Industrial Court found that an employer had not observed them, the Authority pointed out that such neglect rendered the operator liable to prosecution, as well as the revocation of his licence. CONCILIATION NEGOTIATIONS SECURE HIGHER WAGES..

Employees in the distributive and transport departments of the Falmouth, Penzance and St. Columb Road Cooperative Societies will secure wage increases as the result of an agreement —stated to be the first collective arrangement in the area—which has been reached between . the recently established Cornwall Co-operative District Hours and Wages Board and the Transport and General Workers Union. As from the age of 23 years, transport employees, other than those engaged on milk work, are to receive £2 10s. a week.

Few Six-wheelers, but many Oilers in Germany. .

• According to the German Motor, out of 82 different makes of lorry in Germany, 75 are of the two-axle type and

7 three-axle vehicles, these numbers contrasting with 74 and 8 respectively a year .ago.

One of the great changes in the 82 makes is in connection with the power units, the percentage of oilers having increased from 26.8 to 45.2, while vehicles equipped with petrol engines have declined from 35.4 per cent. to 28 per cent., and those with either petrol or oil engines from 37.8 per cent. to 26.8 per cent.

An Ingenious Inlet Valve.

A new inlet valve which, it is claimed, reduces petrol consumption, is being marketed by the Wedcas Inlet Valve Co., 24b, Euston Road, Morecambe. The valve is intended to replace the standard inlet valve in a petrol engine and consists of a solid skirt immediately beneath the valve head, with a helically cut baffle at a calculated distance down the valve stem, the stem being strengthened between head and the baffle.

The inventor claims that, during the induction stroke, the incoming mixture is thoroughly atomized by passing through the helicals in the baffle, and that, after passing through the baffle, preliminary expansion takes place prior to entering the combustion cham

her, due to the mixture impinging upon the heated surface of the solid skirt.

In a test carried out by Professor R. H. Jones, M.Sc., F.I.C., F.C.S., it is reported that on a stationary engine, a gallon of petrol lasted for 1 hour 45 minutes with the standard valves and 2 hours 22 minutes with the new valves. He claims that the new valve shows an increased efficiency of 35.2 per cent. over the standard type.

Planning for the New Severn Bridge.

At the July meeting of the National Council of the Roads Improvement Association, when Mr. Rees Jeffreys occupied the chair, further consideration was given to the proposal for the construction of a new bridge across the River Severn. After long-sustained efforts by the Association during the past 25 years, it is announced that this scheme would now appear to he within the range of practical politics.

The R.I.A. has, therefore, instructed Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners to prepare a scheme, with approximate estimates of cost, for a new bridge, so that definite proposals can be placed before Gloucester County Council and the Minister of Transport The Minister has already intimated that he is prepared to make a grant to the county council towards the cost of a preliminary survey and report.

Manchester's Profitable Parcels Service.

The cost of operating Manchester Corporation's parcels-delivery service is revealed in the annual report of the transport department. During the year ended March 31 last, 2,849,498 parcels were carried, bringing in an income of £51,303. The total working expenses were £44,858, so that the net profit on the undertaking was £6,450. NEW SYSTEMS REQUIRED FOR MECHANIZED FARMS.

In a paper on " Mechanization on the Farm," read. at the International Congress for Scientific Management, Mr. C. S. Orwin, director of the Agricultural , Economics Research Institute, Oxford, said that the maximum advantage could be obtained from farm mechanization only by standardized systems. Existing systems should be completely reconsidered and new ones evolved.

So far, mechanization had been applied mainly, to reduce labour costs under conditions which, had long been standardized on the basis of an entirely different -pOwer unit More research, more education and more capital were needed. At the present time, most of the experimenting was being carried out by farmers themselves, and the State was assisting through its grant-aided research stations, but facilities for farm workers • were practically non-existent.

Councils Blamed for High Fares.

That local authorities themselves are largely to blame for the alleged high bus fares in some parts of County Durham was the opinion "expressed at a conference of municipalities convened at Newcastle to discuss methods of reducing fares. Representatives of 10 authorities were present.

Mr. W. H. E. Sparks, a .Traffic Commissioner, blamed the local authorities and said that, in some cases, they did not send representatives to public sittings, with thap result that the bus companies succeeded in their applications. Mr. B. A. Allen, another Commissioner, contended that fares on Tyneside and Tees-side were lower than those in other areas. Whilst he agreed with cheap transport for workmen, he did not think that other paSsengers should be Made to subsidize them.

A suggestion regarding the availability of return tickets in one direction or another was referred to by Sir John Maxwell (chairman of the Northern Commissioners), who stated that no useful purpose would be served by requesting the Commissioners in other areas and the Ministry of Transport to consider the question of annulling the condition, or of instituting an additional type of ticket that would have this effect.

"RESOLING" WORN TYRES.

Henry Simon, Ltd., Cheadle Heath, Stockport, has established a factory at Duke's Road, Acton; London, for the retreading of worn tyres on the Tenax Tyresoling system, for which it as the sole rights for the British Empire. This patented process was introduced from America a few months ago, and by it a new sole or band of rubber is vulcanized on to the tread without touching the shoulders or side walls.

It is expected that the new plant will be in operation at the beginning of September. The company already has an excellent reputation as a conveying and handling engineer, and its Tyresoles depot is located near the new Guinness Brewery at Park Royal, where extensive Simon grain-handling and weighing equipment is now being installed.

Road-accident Returns.

The following figures are extracted from the Ministry of Transport return of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended July 20, 1935, the figures in parentheses being those for the corresponding week iri 1934. The number of persons who died as a result of accidents during previous weeks is included in the total, In England 117 (115) persons were killed and 4,572 (4,575) injured, whilst in Scotland 4 (18) were killed and 430 (465) injured. The figures for Wales show that 2 (11) persons were killed and 211 (228) injured.

L.C.C. to Cease Hiring Vehicles?

The London County Council's supplies committee has reviewed the various means for transport owned and hired by the council and has considered to what extent it might be economic to substitute direct for hired transport. Owing, however, to various difficulties, it is not, at present, practicable to compare the relative costs of vehicles owned and hired.

It will be necessary to enter into new arrangements from January next and, in order that reliable data may be obtained for comparing the respective mileage costs, it is proposed to arrange for the supply on hire of three 24-ton vans and to purchase three vans of the same type, all the vehicles to be garaged at the Peckham depot.

Tipping Gear Increases Vehicle Weight Beyond Critical Point.

How the addition of tipping gear to a lorry increased its weight to over 2i tons, and thus rendered the driver and the owner liable to penalties, was related to the Grimsby county magistrates, last week-end, when Mr. W. Blackbourn was summoned for driving a heavy motor vehicle, when under 21 years of age, and for using it when it was not insured in respect of thirdparry risks. Mr. G. E. Sellars, of East Kirkby, was charged with permitting the offences.

Mr. H. S. Jackson, for the defendants, pleaded guilty and explained the circumstances. But foi 'the fact that tipping gear had been added, the vehicle 1318 would have weighed under 24 tons,-and would not have been classed as a heavy motorcar. Mr. Blackbourn normally drove another vehicle, and took this one out because its usual driver was ill.

The insurance was, in other respects, in order, but became out of force automatically when a person under 21 years of age drove a heavy vehicle. Mr. Blackbourn was fined 5s, on each summons, whilst Mr. Sellars was fined 5s, for permitting the driving and £5 for permitting the use of the lorry without insurance..

Zenith to Manufacture Stromberg Carburetters.

The Zenith Carburetter Co., Ltd., 40-44, Newinan Street, London, W.1, advises us that it has acquired the full manufacturing and selling rights of the Stromberg carburetter in this country, its associate houses having similar rights in Europe. We learn that Stromberg carburetters will be produced at the Zenith works, whilst service facilities, as now available for Zenith carburetters, will be provided for users of Stromberg components ; the requirements of the latter will be met more readily if inquiries are sent to the Stromberg Section of the company at the address we have given.

Bristol Interim Dividend.

The Bristol Tramways and Carriage Ca., Ltd., is paying an interim dividend of 3 per cent., less tax, on its ordinary shares in respect of the halfyear ended June, 1935.

Grant for Wandsworth By-pass.

The Minister of Transport has made a grant from the Road Fund to the London County Council for the construction, at a cost of approximately £80,000, of a new by-pass road at Wandsworth. By arrangement with the L.C.C., the work will be carried out by Wandsworth Borough Council. The new road will be 450 yds. long and CO •ft. wide. A NEW BURFORD-LACRE VAN.

A new type of Burford-Lacre van has just been supplied to the Mayfair Catering Co., Ltd., to a repeat order. It speaks well for the durability of Lacre vehicles that the previous machine of this make supplied to the Mayfair concern was purchased nearly 12 years ago, and is still efficiently carrying out its work. The van body of the new vehicle has been built specially to the requirements of the operator.

The engine is of 4-in, bore and 54-in. stroke, developing 37 b.h.p. at 1,500 r.p.m. The power unit, clutch and gearbox are suspended in the frame at three points. The drive is transmitted through a four-forward-speed gearbox and multiple-disc dry clutch to the bevel-type rear axle.

The foot brake operates internal expanding shoes on the rear-wheel hubs, whilst the hand lever actuates shoes in a drum on the bevel-pinion

shaft. The chassis provides a body length of 10 ft. 9 ins, behind the driver's seat.

Shipping Guide for Hauliers.

The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from August 2August 9 inclusive :—DocKs : King George V, 5; Royal Albert, 6; Royal Victoria, 2; Surrey Commercial, 5; West India, 2; East India, 1; South West India, 3; Tilbury, 5 ; Tilbury Stage, 2; Millwall, 3; London, 1. WHARVES: Hays, 3; 'Middleton's, 1; Mark Brown's, 1.

Salesman and Mechanic-Foreman Required."

A first-class salesman and a mechanic-foreman are required by an important garage concern and commercial-vehicle agent near Wrexham. Letters addressed " Salesman " or " Mechanic-Foreman," care of the Editor, will be forwarded. • LICENCE "TRANSFER "PROBLEM.

At Perth, last Friday, Mr. C. N. Reid, of Messrs. Reid Brothers, Dundee, applied for the " transfer " of the licence held by Mr. Charles Bell, of Carnoustie, whose business he had pur chased. It was stated that, in all probability, the business would be operated from Carnoustie, but the use of the Carnoustie garage was not included in the sale. • The case was adjourned until it could be ascertained whether it was proposed to run the business from Dundee or Carnoustie. Later in the day it was announced that arrangements had been made to operate from the Carnoustie garage and the application was granted.

Sanitary Congress Awards.

At the recently held Bournemouth Congress of the Royal Sanitary Institute, when the products of some of the leading commercial-vehicle makers were represented, the following were awarded silver . medals: Dennis Brothers, Ltd., respect. of its 600 gallon gully emptier; Ford Motor Co., Ltd., general-purpose ambulance; John Sherwood, " Meal !! refuse. collector; Transport Engineering, Ltd.', refusecollecting vehicles.

A London. Distributor Required.

A Commerciall-vehicle-manufacturing concern in the North of England, and with a London depot, is considering the advisability of appointing a London distributor, leaving its depot to handle

the various' counties: The Vehicles concerned have an excellent .reputatinn, and the Move contemplated is with a view to increasing the turnover in the City of London and the Metropolitan area; Prothinent London traders who may be interested should Write to " London Agency," care of the Editor.

Body Works Extensions at Leyland.

Increasing activity in all-metal bodybuilding at the works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., has necessitated further extensions to the company's body shops. In addition to supplementary space obtained by • utilizing the timber storage sheds for bodybuilding, another bay-200 ft. by 39 ft.—is in the course of erection. This adjoins the main assembly bays, and will be used for unit assembly, leaving the main bodybuilding shop, which can .house 50 buses, free for erection purposes.

Haulier Committed to Prison.

Mr. J. T. Plenty, Junior, a Gelli haulier, was defendant to. an application by three lorry drivers, at Ystrad Police Court, on Monday, for a committal order against him respecting the non-payment of £14 10s. lid, wages and costs 'due to them, as previously Wei& by the Court. Mr. Plenty was said to have two lorries.

He pleaded that the non-payment was (Inc to hard times experienced since January last. He made allegations a gaiirst the honesty of certain of his employees, and said that his London depot was burgled in April, whilst a week later a van was burned out and the insurance company had not yet paid him. He hoped to pay within three months.

Mr. Plenty was committed to prison for four months, the order being suspended for 21 days to give him an opportunity of paying. He was also fined £2 for using an unlicensed van. DEATH OF ALBION CHAIRMAN.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Norman 0. Fulton, MIME.. M.I.A.E., chairman of Albion Motors, Ltd. Mr. Fulton, a pioneer in the motor industry, founded the company in 1899, in conjunction with the late Dr. T. Blackwood Murray. It became a limited-liability concern in 1902 and 12 years later was converted into a public company. . MUNICIPAL MANAGERS AT NEW OIL REFINERY.

At the invitation of British Viscoleum Fuels, Ltd., members of the Lancashire and Cheshire Municipal Transport Managers' Association were entertained, last Friday, to luncheon at the Ellesmere Port refinery of Lobitos Oilfields. They were welcomed by Mr. H. G. Bennett, managing director of the British Viscoleum concern, and by Mr. J. S. Parker, manager of the Lobitos refinery.

In the afternoon, the party inspected the recently erected plant, which is claimed to be amongst the most modern of its type in the country and in which the production of light and heavy oils is carried out on advanced lines. Considerable time was occupied in a tour of the production and storage units, and particular interest was shown in the automatic control, which is eflective to a constancy of as little as I degree C. and one gallon per minute.