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).
Article on Girling motor carriers for Australia, and a consulting section with enquiries from New Zealand, the USA, and Western Australia.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 21th October 1911 | |
| MOTOR TRACTION. OVERSEAS SECTION. OCTOBER 21ST, 1911. 349 Girling Carriers for Australia. Within the last few years the utility and advantages to be derived from the employment of the three-wheeled motor trade carriers for loads of 5 or 6 cwt. have become well recognised in many countries abroad, especially in Australia and New Zealand. The success of this class of machine in this country has long been assured, and it is safe to predict that the Dominions and Colonies will prove a good market in the near future for the British-built light motor carriers, as well as for the heavier vehicles. Messrs. Girling Motors, Ltd., of Upper Market Street, Woolwich, the manufacturers of the Girling motor carrier, which was described in our issues of May 6th and 13th last, inform us that they are sending a consignment of their three-wheeled vehicles to Australia. Two views of one of these machines are given on this page, showing how the box body can be removed when it is required to carry lengthy articles, such as blind poles, linoleum, metal tubing, etc. The Girling carrier is provided with detachable and interchangeable wheels, and as shown in the illustration, a spare wheel is carried on a bracket provided for the purpose beside the driver, so that, in the event of tyre trouble, any wheel can be changed in about three minutes. An important feature of the Girling is that six forward speeds and one reverse are available. The above photograph shows one of a consignment of Girling motor carriers which Messrs. Girling Motors, Ltd., are sending to Australia. The right hand view is the same vehicle as that shown on the left, though with the box body removed so that lengthy articles may be carried. Our Consulting Department. Some Typical Colonial and Foreign Enquiries, together with Notes Supplementary to the Replies which have been sent by Post. INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES FOR NEW ZEALAND. (1911—158.) "We have received several numbers of the Special Colonial Edition of Motor Traction, and must compliment you upon the issue of so instructive a journal. Our clients are somewhat ignorant of the great advantages offered by the adoption of motor traction, and we find that this journal fills, from our point of view, a long-felt want, as the very able articles and illustrations have a great effect upon those who are contemplating the adoption of commercial motors. Do you know of a firm named ————, who manufacture a three-wheeled agricultural motor of about 50 h.p.? If so, would you kindly supply us with their address?" [W. and M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore}, Marlborough, N.Z.] The writer of this letter owns a number of industrial vehicles, ranging from 10 to 20 h.p. The country in Marlborough is very mountainous, and the roads in parts rough, with numerous creeks and river beds intersecting. Up to the present experience in the district with motor vehicles of British construction has been very satisfactory, but it is suggested by our correspondent that the following improvements in various details connected with the construction of the machines would add considerably to their utility. If of the chain-driven type the back axles should be stouter, and the driving chains should be totally enclosed in oil-tight cases. A leather-faced clutch of large diameter is preferred, and the ground clearance should be as much as possible within reason. The driving chains should not come too close to the ground. In connection with the engine the air intakes, magneto, and carburetter should be placed as high up as possible in order to allow the vehicle to cross moderate sized streams, and, owing to the steep gradients, a four-speed gear box is preferred. The drivers handling these vehicles are mostly either colonials or English immigrants. NON-SKID ATTACHMENT FOR TYRES. (1911—159.) "I am interested in a tyre grip for solid tyres, which is designed to give the tyre a grip in snow or mud. It will not prevent side-slipping to any great extent, but it has been used on a 3 ton truck for a period during which the weather was very bad, with considerable quantities of snow and mud on the road, and this arrangement has given every satisfaction. The truck was in service about eight hours every day, and no damage whatever was done to the tyres. By this method, motor vehicles could be safely run in bad weather without having to resort to the use of chains and other means whereby a sufficient grip of the road might be obtained. I have been advised to write to you as one who would inform me if a tyre grip such as I have described would be of service in the British Isles, and could such a device be marketed?" [A.W., Baltimore, Pennsylvania.] In connection with any device for this purpose, the question of possible damage to the roads must be seriously considered. No device depending for its grip on its ability to injure the road surface would—or ought to be—permitted in this country. AN AGRICULTURAL MOTOR ENQUIRY. (1911—160.) "I am writing to ask if you think that an agricultural motor would be likely to give satisfaction here. I have the catalogue, and if the engine is everything it is said to be, it should suit me very well, as I require an engine that can be used for stationary work, as well as for ploughing, hauling wheat to the railway (eleven miles), etc. What I want to ask you is whether the motor is well and strongly built, and if it would stand going over rough country? Is there any other make of motor which would be likely to suit, and, if so, would you be good enough to have the catalogue forwarded?" [A.H.R., Western Australia.] | ||