From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Results of testing Benton & Stone lubricators and comparing them to the existing R.R. standard.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\3\ Scan051 | |
| Date | 4th October 1921 | |
| X4400 Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c.c. to BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 4/H4.10.21. Re BENTON & STONE LUBRICATORS. With reference to the set of lubricators and gun which you supplied me with to try on a car on test, and referring to your memo Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 1/LG1.7.21, we have now tried this on a car and the following are our comments:- 1. Trouble was experienced in removing the R.R.lubricators from the Radiator suspension bracket. A thinner spanner than the 5/16" was required, but not absolutely a necessity. 2. No difficulty was experienced in fitting the B & S lubricators. They have been fitted on two chassis in approximately half an hour per chassis. We consider that they can be fitted to customer's car in his private garage in about one hour. 3. The B & S lubricators supplied for test were poorly finished, the threads being poor and badly cleared off. The caps are difficult to unscrew without the aid of pliers. 4. The B & S type lubricator cap for the front shock absorber does not screw to the bottom of the thread, but allows about 3/16" thread to be exposed. The R.R. lubricator cap is threaded to a depth of 9/16" whereas the B & S lubricator is only threaded to a depth of 1/8". 5. In use the B & S Lubricators are quicker and cleaner and grease or oil is much more definitely forced through the bearings than is the case with the present R.R. type of lubricator. Even with these lubricators, however, the lubricant does not, in the case of spring bearings, overcome squeaking, and thoroughly lubricate the whole of the bearing, but appears to pass through the bearing locally. We suggest that to complete this improved scheme of lubrication the improved grooved bearings, as suggested by BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and which we have tried on two cars on test should be embodied to the spring bearing, simultaneously with the standardising of these lubricators. We feel that with practice, the chauffeur or driver should be able to gauge exactly the number of turns required of the gun to avoid waste. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||