South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-21
CHEAPER TO KEEP
TRUCK REPAIRED
THAN INVALID
Daily Reports From Drivers
and Monthly inspection
Will Eliminate Troubles.

II IL cheaper 20 maintain a mo- I
tor truck in perfect condition than
IL is 10 operate one in an invalid /
state OF repair. The most success ,
fuI operators OF truck fleets are
those compa nies who demand rigid
inspections from their mechanics /
and who catch mechanical trouble
before Il starts" These and other
valuable pointers are brought out
in an educational campaign con
Quoted by the b. r. Goodrich Rub
Der CO.
Three factors which cut deep in
20 the profits OF motor trucking and
which are directly tracea BILE 70 lax
inspection and lack OF repair, are
decreased production caused by idle
truck; cost OF repairs and new
parts: and discarding truck before
IL has delivered the mileage built
into Il. The annoyance Of these
three trucking bugbears can be re
duced 20 minimum by inspection.
The only way TO discover me-
chanical ailments is 20 inspect. says
the Goodrich Co. and the most eff
Gent way 20 inspect is 10 formulate
a system OF inteliigently designed
questions which are 10 be answered
daily by the driver.
The inspection must disclose the
location and nature or the mechan-
ical trouble. but ~ would be too eX-
pensive an item 20 thoroughly in
spect each truck in a fleet daily.
The driver must be depended upon
TO furnish the clue. This has been
done most successfully by the
drivers answers TO 10 simple but
searching questions printed on the
back OF his daily report cards These
questions are IN addition to his reg
ular reports which indicate work
accomplished. time OF trips, sup
plies used. etc.
The Ten Questions.
Here are the 10 questions. an
swers 10 which will furnish valua-
Die tips for the night mechanical
experts TO follow up:
I. Does truck lack power7
.. Are brakes working properly?
3. Does clutch engage smoothly?
4. Are lights working properly?
g. Is engine clean?
s. Does truck squeak?
= Does truck rattle?
s. Are wheel bearings properly
adjusted?
Q. Does truck leak anywhere?
10. Is truck equipped with fire
extinguisher?
At first glance these questions may
seem too simple to be OF value in
running down mechanical troubles.
For example, by going into the first
question-"Does truck lack power
"a little deeper. the engine may
lack power for any one OF the fol-
lowing reasons: Spark plug gaps
not properly adjusted: one or more
valves leaking. fuel mixture too
lean: breaker points need adjust
ment or renewal: breaks not entire
" released or dragging; and excess
sive carbon accumulation.
Inspection must not stop with
the drivers report OF mechanical
trouble and the follow up and re-
pair by the garage mechanic. This
Is merely a safeguard against seri-
Gus trouble 4 more thorough ;n-
spection Is required from time 20
time.
Inspection Monthly.
At intervals OF not more than
once a month a minute inspection
should be conducted. Guided by a
chart the mechanic should go over
every part OF the truck regardless
OF whether trouble has been report
ed previously OF not. Certain all
ments appearing on a new truck
should call for an immediate in.
spection. Large operators have
found Il profitable 20 have on hand
spare engines to substitute rather
than hold the truck out OF service
for extensive repair.
The chart which guides the me
chanics in the rigid monthly inspec
ton should have every item anC
part OF the truck listed and they
should be arranged In logical Sc
ouence. II should commence witt
the bumper. hood cover. STARTING
crank. compression, piston and 81
on down the line 10 the licens
bracket and taillight. so that tn,
inspector beginning at the front enc
OF the truck can examine every par
in order, without retracing a step
This Arrangement makes for spec,
in inspection without detraCtinl
from horOughness.