MOTOR LORRY'S PART IN ROJO MAKING.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1920, Page 4

MOTOR LORRY'S PART IN ROJO MAKING.

DEMONSTRATION ON ELTHAM COUNTY ROADS. The value of the motor lorry a,s an aid to expedition and economy in road making was amply demonstrated recently in Eltliam, when on its first day's work For the EUlffim County a Leyland motor lorry which the County have jtist acquired made a great record of work, and proved the immense help it is to public bodies in their campaign of providing good lasting roads, which are a good asset to any district, and which by reason of their comparatively small upkeep arc also economical after the initial outlay. The demonstration was witnessed by the chairman, members and engineer of the Waimate West County Council, and tho Resident Public Works Engineer, Mr'i. B. Campbell, Stratford. All were, mucii impressed with the amount of work done by tho Leyland and the expedition with which it was earned through. The lorry took its load of four yards of metal—s tons weight—at the excellently equipped County yards, and travelled a distance of seven miles along th o Rnwhitiiroa road, where new formation and tarring processes are in course of progress.’ Excellent speed was inaintailned, the motor travelling at about 16 miles an hour quite comfortably, on all the road, but the bigger hills. Arrived at the point where work was going on, the lorry backed up the hill, and at the required spot she quietly tipped up the load, the back was opened, and slowly moving forward, tho metal was spread evenly over a length of about six yards. Tt was all quickly and quietly done, aiid almost beforo the lorry had got to the end of the section two Inch were evening the metal out, tho clay and screenings were down, and the roller was just waiting to get to work. It was a fine object lesson in up-to-date road-making. It was interesting at the County depot to see a demonstration of the working of tho tip, a patent with tvliich tlie body of tlie lorry is built by Mr It. S. Wool ridge, of New Plymouth . Th e body is built on railway truck pattern, heavy timbers below a 7-inch nickel steel frame. The tip lifts to an angle of 45 degrees, and by means of a very ingen ions “cut out” worked by a attached to a rod running up to the mechanism, which automatically releases il when at its full height. Tho tip can be held at any angle, and the ease ’with which it is controlled it realised when it is known that only one-tenth horse-pow-er is required to lift a full load. Another clever device is tlie means by which the rate at which metal can be spread is regulated to any speed, tlie ‘ tail board being able to be opened any one of the ton widths. Tho Leyland before four o’clock, in tho afternoon, had done seven trips of fo'urteen miles each with its five-tm load, and did them easily. Jt is an English'motor with a 36-40 h.p. engine (English rating), does 8 to 9 miles to the gallon of benzine, and 1500 miles to the gallon of oil, thus shoving that it is very economical. Its long stroke engine enables the great speed to he maintained. It is built in five models, from 2 to 6 tons, the 4-ton lorry being built in ' four sizes. The lorry had only just been landed for the Eltliam County Council by the agent, Mr C. L. Wilson of Eltliam, who naturally is pleased with tile work done on the first day. Tho Eltliam County are to he congratulated on the enterprise they have consitently shown dn their work, which is responsible for the great progress shown in road-making throughout their district. On the strength of the fine .performance, orders were placed dn behalf of Stratford County and Waimate West County for motor lorries for road services in the respective districts .