THE SIX-WHEELER.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19150, 5 November 1927, Page 10

THE SIX-WHEELER.

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAVEL. Just as the four-wheeled motor reticle has largely displaced horse-drawn conveyances on the roads of civilised countries, so it seems'more then probable that the pneumatic-tyred rigid six-wheeler -will become a serious rival to tho camel, mule, and other animals employed for commercial transport purposes in undeveloped areas. There is no doubt whatever—from a safety point of .view—that the sixwheeler offers a greater feeling of security than tho four-wheclcr machines. In the first place, it has been conclusively demonstrated that, by distributing the driving, power over four road wheels, the tendency towards side-slipping, which the four-wheeler exhibits, is greatly reduced. The ability to stop quickly in emergency is even more important, especially in these days, when the use of pneumatic tyres has encouraged higher speeds than were practicable with solid tyres. With braking power applied to an extra pair of wheels the six-wheelcd vehick can be arrested more promptly thau the four-wheeler, .especially on slippery surface roads. The greatly increased mileage obtained from the tyres fitted to six-wheeled machines, is remarkable. On some of the machines, it is stated, tyres have covered over 25,000 miles, and their appearance promises can be run as far again before they are discarded. I No doubt ou6 of the reasons for such I tyre economy can be traced to the re- I duccd skidding of the treads on tb« roads when starting and stopping, owing to the distribution Sf the driving and braking power over four, instead of two wheels. In the rigid framed sixwheeler, due to its reduced axle weights, •nd rear bogie suspension, the impact ef any given load passing over road inequalities has only a fraction of the destructive effect on chassis and road surface which it would have if supported on two wheels only. Whether in course of time all except the smallest of passenger vehicles will run on six wheels, remains to be seen. At any Kite, there are those who think that both from the owner's point of view and that of the road engineer, the chassis which distributes its weigM over two pain load carrying axles is the machine o£ tho future.

Never use a non-skid tyre on one tear wheel and a plain tread on the •Uier wheel.

When replacing aDv of the gaskets io the exhaust or intake manifold install' an entirely new set. The additional cost is nominal, and it will equalise the pressure on the flanges. It petrol drips from the carburettor when the engine i 3 stepped the float level should be checked, and if found adjusted to the proper level the needle valve and seat should be replaced. When lubricating the steering spindle or king-pins, jack up the car by the. front axle. This allows the grease to get under the bearings.

A battery is well charged when the hydrometer shows a specific gravity of the solution between 1250 and 1300. It is practically dead when the hydrometer shows a reading of 1150 or lower.

Speed burns up. tyres. Rubber will give more miles of service when the car is driven at a moderate speed. Quick starting and stopping is also harmful to tyres and to mechanism as well.