Motor Notes

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 207, 9 August 1924, Page 12

Motor Notes

TRAFFIC THAT WRECKS ROADS. HOW MARYLAND CHECKS IT. ONE of the principal agents in the destruction of roads is the overloaded motor loriy. It is at present beyond the possibilities of practical finance to build roads that will carry vehicles of unlimited weight, and it is obvious that the few individuals who benefit by the operation of heavy vehicles should not be permitted to destroy roads which will ordinarily be used by an infinitely, greater number of lighter lorries and cars. In New Zealand heavy traffic is barred over large areas of the country during five months of the year. In the United States they keep a sharp eye on the weight of loads at all times, and in some .States road patrols, equipped in many cases with a set of portable loadonieter jacks, travel about the main roads stopping suspected vehicles and weighing their loads there and then.

Maryland, for instance, which has a population of about 11 millions, and a motor vehicle registration totalling 169,000, including 11,600 motor trucks, has a statute in force limiting loads to 20,0001b5. gross, including the weight of the vehicle. This is much lower than in many other States, but it is strictly enforced. Maryland, according to the “Highway Magazine,” enforces this law by making the driver of the truck dump his excess load by the side of the highway, if he is apprehended carrying more than 20,000 pounds on his vehicle. He may then proceed with tho normal, legal weight, and then come back and pick up the excess later. As this wastes a great deal of valuable time, and is likely to cause losses by theft and weather, vehicle operators are not so willing to take a chance with an unlawful load. The plan was devised for making trjick drivers obey the law, after a system of fining those guilty failed to remedy the evil.

Special men are on duty to see to it that these new regulations ar^-en-forced. Whenever a truck is suspected of being overloaded, it is immediately weighed, either on loadometers or on permanent road scales. Whenever a motor vehicle is offered for registartion an exhaustive egamination is made of it. Special attention is given to the tyre measurements. The law provides that the maximum load per inch of tyre shall-be 650 pounds. The maximum width of vehicles, except traction engines, shall bo 90 inches. The maximum rated carrying capacity shall be five tons. For motor trucks that aro equipped wholly or partly, with solid tyres, the speed limits are twenty-five miles per hour for two-ton gross loads; fifteen miles for gross loads of two to six tons ; and twelve miles exceeding six tons. Tho width of the tyre is determined by running the truck over smooth steel plates on which an impression of the wheel track is secured by white paper and carbon sheets.

A few permanent road scales of 20 tons capacity have been installed. The road crews aro equipped with light automobiles and portable jacks. These inspectors have police authority, but it lias been found advisable for them to be accompanied by an officer in uniform, sq that no time will be lost in disputes. It has been found that the only way to enforce the law at all times and at all places is by securing complete cooperation between State highway officials, magistrates and justices qi the peace, as well as other representatives of the law'. The Maryland Highway Commission has done everything in its power to secure this co-operation, with most happy results. AMERICAN COMPETITION. BRITISH MANUFACTURERS NEED SUPPORT. According to the closest calculations and estimates possible there are 18,211,477 automobiles in the world. Of these there are over fifteen million in the United States. More surprising than this is the fact that over four million motors were produced in that country in 1923. In Great Britain the output was no more than some 80,000. These figures are disquieting from a British standpoint. Allowing for the fact that there is a car in America for every half-dozen or so of the population ; allowing for tho probability that the Americans will not he content until every second man, woman or child has a car, it is evident that as output increases, the United States will he able to absorb a gradually diminishing proportion of the production. The great factories cannot stand still, and we

may be sure that even the tremendous output of 1923 will not long remain a world’s record. All this means that the American manufacturers will force their wares on the world’s market, and that tho American competition will become even more strenuous. The political insanity of the British Labour Government in removing the McKenna duties, and throwing open its markets to the world’s largest automobile makers places a terrible handicap on the British manufacturers at a time when they need all the support and all the encouragement which can be spared for them. In their efforts to giv© the capitalist a slap in the face, the Socialist Government have dealt a blow at the unhappy workman and th© taxpayer. Meanwhile, the competition has to be met. In the struggle we fear that some of the 78 British manufacturers of private motor cars will be forced to close their doors, and the industry generally, which by zealous efforts and a splendid optimism hits begun to work its way out of the slough created by the Great War will again find itself floundering. ® ® ® BALLOON TYRES. Th© basic idea behind th© Balloon Tyre is increased resiliency—gained by employing more air in tyre and constructing the cover with thinner and more flexible side walls. In principle, it’s the late J. B. Dunlop’s idea brought into being again. By lower inflation—2o to 35 lbs. according to load—th© larger tyre flexes freely, thereby absorbing most of the road inequalities that make for rattling and vibration with the higher pressure tyres. Undoubtedly advantages are to be derived from greater cushioning. There are two classes of Balloons—both the same basically—the interchangeable that will fit existing S.S. rims—and the 30 x 3| B.E. rim—and the larger size Balloon—which calls for special new wheels or costly, alterations by th© cutting down of existing w’heels and fitting small diameter rims of 20.21 or 22in., as against th© 23, 24, and 25in. rims at present in vogue on millions of cars throughout the world. Further alterations as regards body, mudguards, and steering-lock clearance is essential in most cases when fitting the larger type of Ballpon. therefore, once fitted up for this type no change can be made, without further heavy outlay back to the standard cord if desired. With th© Interchangeable Balloon it is different—and one is free to change back to the standard sized cord if so desirous. Until car designers definitely determine their policies it is hazardous to change wheels, because in the near future the size fitted mav not be standard. Those desirous of testing for themselves tho advantages of the Balloon, should fit Dunlop “Interchangeables.” The advantages of this policy is apparent. It should be pointed out that no Beaded Edge Balloons are made for rims other than the 30 x 3J —all larger sizes being for straight sided rims only. NOTES. Just a« George Whitfield, aged 46, of Eltham street, Gladesville, was cranking up a motor car in Quay street. Sydney, two weeks ago. a stranger laid a hand on his shoulder and asked for the whereabouts of an address. “My attention was off the job for a second,” he explained at the Sydney Hospital; “the engine backand here I am.” He was waiting in the X-Ray room, having sustained a fracture of the right arm. “Only a few months ago,” he went on, “my motor lonry back-fired at Wagga, and the crank handle smashed my left arm. After this,” he concluded, with a wry smile, “I’m in the market for a selfstarter.” • • • Many owmers will be interested to learn that the marks of rubbing and scratching on celluloid side panels can be removed by the use of ordinary brass metal polish, obtainable at any grocer or ironmonger. The polish is applied in th© ordinary way; that is, on a soft rag, which is gently rubbed over the affected portions, or. preferably, over the entire surface. When the scratches are removed, the surface is polished with a dry soft cloth. It is simply remarkable (says the “Motor”) the way the scratches are taken out, while th© surface of the panel will be

left cleaner, although slightly dull, where the polish has been applied; hence, it is better to cover the entire surface. Sometimes when a heavy car gets bogged off mired considerable difficulty is experienced in getting it out of the soft ground, and all the usual methods of dealing with such an emergency prove abortive. In such a case an excellent scheme (according to an English motor journel) is to join the spokes of the front and rear wheels by a strong rope in such a way that when the rear wheels turn they pull the front wheels also. Thus the advantages of four-wheel drive are obtained, while, as the front wheels are seldom in the mire so deeply as are those at the reaff, they may serve to pull the car on to firmer A device worked on tho principle of the combination lock as on safes, has been invented to lock motor cars and prevent thieves from stealing them, says the Sydney “Sun” of July 23rd. During the last few weeks the police have received reports nearly every day of the stealing of motor cars, but

, I generally they are traced, after more or ; less delay anil trouble. The inventor of a the new device called on Superintendent | Brack, of the Traffic Branch, and ex- | plained the invention to him. Then the s device was brought under the notice F of the Inspector-General of Police (Mr. 0 Mitchell) and later Inspectors Fowler s and Leary examined it, and expressed r themselves highly pleased with it. i “At present,” remarked Inspector - Fowler at Sydney, “there are only > about 10 per cent .of cars with a lockr ing apparatus, and it is strange that in i the majority of cases the keys are left ) in the lock when the occupant or occus pants leave the car.” > 1 What is the greatest distance covered , by a motorist in 12 months? No > authentic records have been published in this connection but figures recently published in England show that one of f the tvre testers employed by. the Dunj lop Tyre Co. has driven a car 98,085 1 miles in the 17 months between Novem- , her Ist. 1922. and March 31st, 1924. Based on a monthly average this would » give 5769 monthlv, eoual to 69,228 r miles in 12 months, which must be in b the region of a record.