MINERS' CO-OPERATIVE COAL DELIVERY.
Page 45
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Special Vehicles which Facilitate Economical Distribution.
IN certain colliery districts miners are supplied at the pitheads with household coal at specially reduced prices. Special co:operative schemes have been formed by the colliers themselves in order that the supplies can be conveniently and •economically transported to their houses.
Until recently these co-operative bodies engaged the vehicles of contractors to convey the fuel from the pits, but they have now realized that, for this purpose, a considerable Saving of money can he effected by purchasing and running wagons of their own. These factors" have brought about a demand for lorry bodies specially suited to this class of work. •
With the object of meeting this demand the Spenborough Engineering Co., of Fleckrnendwike, Yorks, has placed upon the market some interesting types of body suitable for mounting on different classes of chassis. These bodies are divided into two, three or four coal hoppers, according to thel size of the elr:osSis, and have already achieved
considerable popularity. The ,hoppers are designed with sloping floors and are steel-lined, a trap door being fitted so that when the door catches are released the coal is immediately precipitated from the vehicle.
Specially designed bodies of narrow proportions, which are mounted high on the chassis, have been built by the company for use in congested areas where space is restricted. One of these vehicles is used by the Armthorpe Home Coal Delivery Service, and is similar to that shown in one of our illustrations. The Armthorpe Service also delivers in districts where, owing to new town-planning schemes, the local authorities will not allow coal to be tipped at the roadside. Special types of 4-ton body, one of -which is illustrated herewith, have been mounted on various makes of chassis and have proved successful in coping with this difficulty. These are fitted with a sliding door beneath each hopper, the coal being discharged into steel wheelbarrows and then. wheeled to the cellars. The barrows are conveniently carried under the body When not in use. The amount of coal emptied from the vehicle can be controlled by opening or closing the sliding doors of the hoppers to any required position. It 'is-stated that one of these co-operative societies, which has been establislied for some time, has been able to effect a reduction of approximately 15 Per cent. on delivery charges by using this type of vehicle. Many of the chassis upon which these particular bodies have been mounted have been supplied by F. H. Dotson (Leeds), Ltd., 78, Vicar Lane, Leeds.