Motor Road Transport For Commercial Purposes
(Liquid Fuel, Steam, Electricity)

94 MOTOR ROAD TRANSPORT An Important Detail. It will readily be seen that it is important for the purchaser to ascertain beforehand from the maker whether the catalogued weight of the vehicle is given inclusive of the “ running ” load or not, for if it is not the owner may put his wagon on to the road with a total load which is illegal, owing to the additional weight of loaded tanks and bunkers not having been taken into account. If a firm advertises a wagon as a 4 ton machine, it should be able to carry a load of goods weighing 4 tons, and to be yet within the legal limits. The total weight of the car and its load must not exceed 12 tons; the maximum figure for the rear axle being 8 tons, and that for the front 4 tons. Other items for consideration include tyres, width, brakes, attendant, lamps, springs and trailers. Tyre Points. A Steel tyre must be at least 5 inches in width, and any increase is in proportion of wheel diameter to axle weight. It must be smooth and flat where it touches the ground; or if supplied with strakers or shoes, the space between these must not exceed one-eighth of the width of the tyre when measured straight across in an axial direction. The extreme overall width of a heavy motor-car or trailer must not be in excess of 7 ft. 6 in., and the car must possess two independent brakes; the reversing gear can be counted as one. Only one attendant— the driver—is required by law for every heavy motor- car. As regards lamps, one must be carried on the off side in front, showing a white light ahead, and one, which sheds a white light on to the back number