AIR POWER STEERING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19523, 24 June 1933, Page 14

AIR POWER STEERING

AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT. An air-power steering control, by means of which a heavy truck or bus may be steered with even greater ease than a light passenger car, has been developed in America, and demonstrated with success. The apparatus, which operates by air pressure, consists of a double-acting cylinder, controlled by a double-valve arrangement, which acts as a “booster" on the regular steering mechanism. The device is said to reduce steering “to a comparatively slight expenditure of effort on the part of the operator,” to minimise road shocks, and prevent “shimmying” of the front wheels. The tests were conducted with a 7Jton truck on which the device has been applied. In one of the tests in New York an observer was able without much effort to turn the truck’s front wheels while the vehicle was standing still. In another test, a girl steered the truck nimbly in and out among a number of barrels placed in the street. The mechanism is stated to be applicable to any vehicle.

NOVEL PETROL PUMP. The latest novelty in roadside petrol pumps is the “pillar pump” manufactured by a well-known English engineering company. The pillar is square and of attractive design, surmounted by a small statue of Eros. The pump is unusual, as it can supply, if desired, 20 brands of petrol, high-pressure air, and radiator water.

It is electro-pneumatically operated, and all containers for liquids or air are underground. It is stated that the pump can lift and deliver 10 gallons of petrol from one of its tanks in 45 seconds. Petrol is fed from a swing arm. There is also a charge indicator the amount of the purchase being automatically indicated on the pillar, as also is the name of the petrol or oil supplied.

BRITISH CARS IN N.Z.

Mr. L, A. Paish, British Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, in an old address given recently at the Coventry Chamber of Commerce on British cars in the Dominion, said the whole trouble with English cars in the past had been that the American agents had got into the market and had put their propaganda over, but to-day midget English cars were running about the North and South Islands like flies.

SAVING PETROL.

Many motorists who are anxious to keep petrol consumption down to a minimum will be interested in the factors which influence petrol wastage. These are:—

Permitting brakes to drag. Letting the engine run at high speed when idling.

Driving too long in first and second gear before changing to “top.” Racing the engine in spurts when waiting at traffic stops or for passengers to embark.

Uneven acceleration; that is, jerky use of the accelerator pedal. Driving with fouled spark plugs. This wastes about 20 per cent, of the jetrol used for every plug that is out of commission. When plugs have been in use for 10,000 miles they should be replaced with new ones.

QUEER MOTOR LAWS.

The following, taken from the “Morris Owner,” tells of some queer laws in regard to motor vehicles in various parts of the globe:— “British motorists are accustomed to grumble about the growing complexity of our own road laws, but as yet we have nothing to compare with some of the odd regulations that govern road-users in other countries,” says the article. “What should we say, for instance, if, while bowling quietly along, puffing contentedly at a cigarette, we are stopped by a policeman and told that we should be charged with smoking while in charge? That Is what would happen in some of the larger cities of Norway, where both smoking and drinking by the driver of a motor vehicle are banned by law. “A recent enactment places Turkey veil in the van of countries having curious motoring laws, for by a regulation issued by the Municipal Council of Stamboul (Constantenople) a few months ago driving licenses may be issued only to men over twenty-five years of age and married. This decree was not made with any desire to coerce the Turkish bachelor into matrimony. “The large number of fatal accidents in the city during the last few years created an urgent demand for action, and the authorities agreed that the j most cautious driver is the one who has shouldered the responsibilities of marriage. “As recently as June ol last year i Egypt adopted an unusual regulation j in the form of a ban on private cars coloured red. This c. mr Is to be re- | : erv<yi for Royal cars, to facilitate their passage.”