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

98 MOTOR ROAD TRANSPORT per hour. It will therefore be seen that the scope of the tractor is limited. Practical Gonsiderations. On the other hånd, one very distinct advantage can be gained when it is possible to work separately three trailers per tractor, for a system can then be adopted whereby the Capital (represented by the steam driven vehicle) will bring in its greatest return. With all mechanical road transport, the greater the num- ber of working hours spent on the road the greater will be the efficiency of the service. In the case where, for instance, three trailers can be run between two depots, it is possible to keep the tractor on the road the whole time, because the delay at a depot is confined merely to the slipping of the one trailer and to the attachment of the fresh one. This high interest- bearing method of transportation can, of course, be attained to some extent by means of a petrol or steam- driven wagon and trailers, and a greater total load can be carried; but unless some sound quick-loading and unloading device is supplied to cope with the wagon tonnage, the time spent in depot delays will be far greater than with the tractor. One other point to be borne in mind when weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a tractor is that it can be used as a stationary power unit, like the ordinary traction engine, although in a more limited capacity. This is a feature which should not be overlooked, especially with regard to work in an agricultural area.