The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-08-16
Rapid Advance Seen in Use
of Pneumatic Truck Tires

With consequent, shaking and de-
probation of the engine. Hrring
khacklcz. bolts and leaves. steering
mechanism. and even the transmits
sion and gear mechanism.
rhe inBP. stion con, .aptiy ria:e In
ne course OF this experiment
showed that the pneumatic tire
picked up much Of the daunEing
vibration IL was found that. ow-
ing 20 smoothness Of operation. the
air-,ired truck vas able TO operate
usor, miles y tho gallon OF fuel
IA the truck with the solid tire.
Thc repair and depreciation itefn
was probably tho most important
Of the four items in which tho
pneumatic tired truck showed SUI
periority. The gain In this Gle
ment was ruch as TO make n cost
expense OF half tho cost Of the
solid tiro truck. This u entirely
a csse OF tho picking up by the
air cushioned tire Of the vibration
which otherwise would wear down
bearings In the vehicle.
The operating radius. owing 10
smoother negotiations of the roads
by tho air-tircd truck. was extend
cd over the possibilities OF tho
solid tired vehicle. The trucks
operating on solid tires. these be-
ing OF n three-ton capacity. took
eight hours for the run into Chi
cago. Tho pneumatic tired truck
OF the ZANE type with the same
Operating and cargo conditions. cut
this time over an hour.
Tho pneumatic tired trucks were
occasionally able 10 haul To camp.
and out Of trouble the solid tire
trucks which had difficulty In op-
Grating or were actually stuck
In snow covered or muddy roads,
for this test continued over many
months. Including both winter and
summer conditions.
Tho statement IL made with no
attempt to compare total figures
between the two types Of truck.
for this description of an actual
test ON big scale Is not given as
brief for the pneumatic tire
truck under all conditions but Is
merely a get Of figures and de-
scription Of conditions 20 show
that there is 70 every user a prob
lem worth considering IN the use
of the pneumatic tired truck.
These figures. II must be noted,
mako no attempt 10 consider the
difference In initial costs OF the
tires. solid and pneumatic. or the
repair items TO the tires them
selves These elements are open
for consideration only 20 the pros
pectivo purchaser. who must use
his ovn Judgment aa to the bal
ancing for his particular uses Of
tho saving on the machine due 90
the use OF the ir-cuahioncd tire.
and the differences in initial cost
OF tho two types of tires. It
must be noted that the navy was
willing TO Buy high cost. over
sized tires for its experiments. and
this Is an expense that many truck
users may not feel justified In as
Stunning for their particular type OF
business.
II might be pertinent here 60
make references TO the need of
proper care of even the solid tire
In the operation OF n truck fleet.
1t Is n proved fact that care OF
the solid tire is essential in re-
dueing rubber costs. and in main
talnlng the tire over n long period.
Particularly is care due TO tho dual
type OF tire. for II is a trick OF the
dual tire 10 pick up sharp bits OF
broken rock between the tires. and
these stones will soon hack the
solid rubber TO shreds. The most
careful use of any tire VIII not
prevent an occasional cut. The
army rules for tire inspection were
that the driver must pare down
with a sharp knife any torn bit OF
tire. 10 prevent the tear from
working deeper into tho rubber
and quickly making the entire tire
yamelcsg