FLOOR SPACE

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIII, Issue 13, 16 February 1932, Page 2

FLOOR SPACE

FOR COMMERCIAL, VEHICLES

It is an accepted fact that space increases in value to an enormous degree as it becomes limited; and just as floor space in buildings in capital cities reaches high rental" figures, so does floor room on a transport vehicle. The value of floor or carrying space on a commercial automobile is a matter of importance to those who desire to obtain the utmost in return for the cost of running motor trucks. If more goods are to.be carried, this can only be effected by permitting each unit of transport to be employed to its utmost effective capacity. The time has passed when a buyer can afford to accept a new vehicle on which 40 per cent, or even 50 per cent of the length of the chassis frame is taken up by a long engine bonnet, the dash and the driver's cab, thus leaving a loading space which is entirely disproportionate to the overall length of the vehicle and which imposes, in many eases, more load behind the rear-axle centre than in front of it. In some instances, the overhang which has been adopted is not only unsightly, but causes excessive wear on the tyres, troubles with the axle and transmission and higher petrol consumption. The maker of steam waggons has realised the enormous value of load space between the axles and has with satisfactory results made a forward-controlled ma chine. This gives proportionate carrying to the weight, more uniform pressure on the road surface, much easier and more positive control, more satisfaction to the driver, and last, but not least, the principle gives a decided commercial advantage to the operator.