Light Van and Parcelcar Notes.
Page 14
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
We Resume Our Feature Dealing with the Experiences of Users of Light Pneumatic-tired Machines= Although we have been unable to include for some time past our feature dealing with the experiences of prominent light-van lasers, we hope that we have not given our readers the impression that we intended altogethei to discard this feature. -This unavoielible curtail-. tnent was chiefly brought about by the limited space at our diSposal. We are so convinced, however, that a machine of a light-carrying'capae city is definitely assured an illimitable future, when manufacturers of such a chassis are able to resume their normal output, that we intend, in future issues of this journal, to devote further space to its consideration. In this manner We may perchance be able to impress the somewhat conservative small shopkeeper with the unquestionable utility of the light van as a -means of . obtaining better allround delivery service.
With that end in view, -we recently approached the Complete Press, of West Norwood, and were successful in being able to secure the impressions of a responsible Member of this established ,photoengravers, designers, Aationers and general printers. ',The company employs two machines, une a. 16 h.p. Darracq, which was formerly a touring car, and an Auto-Carrier parcelcar. The Darracq was streng-, thened in several details to permit of its satisfactory employment in commercial-vehicle service.
," Yes Both the machines have been put'into serviceasince the outbreak of war. We, however, possessed a small fleet of 9 h.p. De Diens previously. from which exceptionally. good, service was obtained. Yoa may question why we disposed of these vehicles. All I can say is that they had done some years of running and were beginning to evidence signs of . wear. There is no question that these De Mons were real good triachin8s. It may intereSt you to know that we had the parts whicha showed least signs of wear taken from these various De. Dimas and utilized to compose one vehicle, which-we exchanged in part payment for the Darracq we at present possess. The material not used in this manner \Iraq consigned ta;ght away to the scrap-heap."
. "What. sort of work are the two machines called upon to do ?" we questioned.
" They do somewhat similar work, that is to say; they both execute deliveries of blocks, formes, printed sheets, and like material to our various clients in London. Of course. the Dararacq carries the bulky loads, being, as it is, fitted 046
with a spacious and roomy body. We get about 12 to 15 cwt. on this vehicle, and, in cases of emergency, we slightly exceed this, limit. We fully realize, however, that the machine was not designed for commercial-vehicle service, and we keep the load carried down to a mintmum. As a matter of fact, for our particular class of work, a 2-ton machine would suit us better, but, of course, as you knew, it is practically 'impossible to obtainaa machine of this capacity at the present time, either new or second-hand.
"When we find, that we have a load to deliver which is beyond the capacity of the Darracq, we avail ourselves of the facilities afforded by the Return Journey Co. By arrangements this company have fixed, they have machines of a larger capacity running out to Croydon to make deliveries, and as they run back light, we arrange that they call upon us. More often than not we.-are able to give them a load for quick delivery in town. We are able to expedite our deliveries in this Imanner, and, as a consequence, save ourselves considerable ,anxiety and worry. This may be an expensive method, but it is the only available means at our disposal at the present time."
"What mileage do the machines cover ?"
" Roughly, 300 miles each per week."
"Surely this is rather a high mileage considering that your deliveries are confined to a small radius," we commented.
" Yes, perhaps that is so ; but you
must bear in mind that the machines make a considerable number of calls, and that little time is taken up on each. Only in a few cases is the engine stopped when delivering. Sometimes the two machines. are hard at it from Sam. to 8 p.m., but to counterbalance this, some weeks the vehicles are net at work every day. This figure is also in.'. creased in the case of the Darracq by the fact that it is loaned to the local Red Cross Volunteers on Sundays."
M.P.G. ? " "I should say that we get about 15 miles to the gallon of spirit consumed on the Darracq, and between 25 and 30 miles on the Auto-Carrier. We use petrol solely now, although. at one time we experimented with benzole and obtained resulte'that were not particularly satisfactory. We are allowed 60 "gallons per month.
"I am about to renew my petrol licence and should not be in the least surprised if it was cut down. by one-third. It seems rather . strange to me that in these days, when petrol is becoming increasingly hard to obtain, that represeutatives of some of the large petrol companies should, be constantly pestering for contracts, If there really is a shortage; surely the petrol companies should be held in cheek. We store our spirit in cans in a specially-constructed building at the rear a our printing works. '
" Tires ? " 'At present we use Michelin, two grooved covers, and two. steel-studded covers. One: steel-studded tire is fitted en one of . the front.wheels, the other to a rear wheel on the opposite side. In this manner we are able to alleviate to a great extent the possibility of skidding and sideslip. We have obtained most satisfactory mileages from these tires, and in many cases they have outlived the guarantee given with them. We have tried other makes with varying results." "Have you any costs available for either of the machines?"
" No ! I have no tabulated figures I can let you have, but we have ascertained that,, approximately, it costs us 24 Ss. per week to operate the Darraeq, and a little less for the Auto-Carrier. This is an all-in figure.
Most decidedly, we are satisfied in all respects with the services we obtain from both our light machines. Our vehicles are the very life of our trade, and without them, more so at the present time, we could not possibly carry on."
Following the information given in the preceding interview concerning the running of an Auto-Carrier narcelea,r, perhaps it will not be out of place to call to mind the general constructional details of this handy three-wheeled machine
It is fitted with an air-cooled engine of 5-6 h.p. Two large external flywheels are embodied, which afford flexibilityand steady running at low speeds. -The flywheels are cast with the Npokes in the form of fan blades. In addition, to obtain efficient cooling of the engine, two large fans are friction-driven from the flywheels.
Ignition is by high-tension magneto of the enclosed type, while a Brown and Barlow carburetter is fitted as standard. Lubrication is automatic from the crank-chamber reservoir, which is stated to hold sufficient oil for 100 miles running. A two-speed epicyclic gear of strong construction is embodied, giving ratios of 5 to I on high gear and 13i to 1 on low gear. Reverse gear is only included when required by the purchaser, and then at an extra
charge. Transmission is effected by chain direct from the engine shaft to a speed gear fixed on the back axle. A powerful foot brake acting on the rear wheel is used, while the low gear also acts as an emergency brake when top gear is engaged. Ready means of adjustment are provided. Front-wheel brakes can be fitted if desired. Steering of the machine is by tiller with a hinged arm. Sankey wheels are fitted, and the usual equipment of lamps, ete., is supplied.
"Although Auto-Carriers (1911), Ltd., is not at present in a position to execute orders for delivery, due to the fact that its energies are concentrated on the production of Government essentials, the concern anticipates a big demand for its three-wheeler after the peace.
For its particular class of work, that of express delivery, the AutoCarrier has few rivals. Ample proof to substantiate this fact is evidenced by the number of large business houses which use one or more machines of this make.