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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).
Test report on modified Dunlop Silent Tread Tyres, focusing on road adhesion and noise characteristics.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 45\2\  Scan309
Date  7th October 1930
  
To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL.
c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}
c. to C. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}
c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}

x4050.
Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL.1/MJ.7.10.30.

DUNLOP SILENT TREAD TYRES.     X. 4050.
    X. 7820.
    X. 5820.

We have received for test a set of Dunlop 7" x 20" Silent Tread Tyres which have been modified to improve road adhesion qualities. The standard silent tread type is worse for skidding when compared with the Triple Stud tread type which it superseded.

The modification to the tread consists of breaking up, three continuous ribs of the tread by cutting transverse grooves in them. The centre rib is grooved at intervals of approximately 1.5" and the two outer ribs at intervals of 3", the width of the grooves is .250".

The tyres have been tested here from the point of view of noise or any other objectionable feature that may have been caused by the alteration to the tread pattern. The modification, however, has not appreciably altered the silence characteristic of the tyre. A very slight sing is apparent at medium and high speeds but it is not sufficient-ly prominent to warrant complaint, it is only after changing quickly from one type of tyre to the other that the difference is appreciated. At slow speeds, either on tram line setts or on a smooth road no objectionable increase in noise or vibration is apparent.

We are not in a position to state how much the
  
  


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