The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-12-16

On the average there are over eight
weeks during the year when the roads
are in such condition on account of
mud, snow, etc., that these trucks can
not be used. The roads on which
nearly 95 per cent Of them usually
travel are all or part dirt.
The condition Of the roads prevent
ed the use of trucks with pneumat-
ic tires a little less than seven weeks
during the year covered by the reports,
and of those with solid tires a little
over nine weeks.
Twenty-four per cent Of the trucks
are equipped with pneumatic tires. 81
per cent with solid tires, and 40 per
| cent with pneumatics in front and SOL
ids in rear. However, experience has
convinced So per cent that pneumatics
are best for their conditions, 80 per
cent that solids are best and per cent
that pneumatics In front and solids in
rear are best
These men have return loads for
their trucks about one-third Of the
| time.
Still Use Horses.
A majority of these men still use
their horses for some hauling on the
road.
On more than half OF the farms all
| the hauling in the fields and around
the buildings is still done with horses
and wagons.
About 40 per cent Of these men did
some custom hauling with their trucks
during the year covered by the reports.
The average amount received by those
who did such work was S132.
Their owners estimate that on the
average these trucks travel 2,777 miles
| and are used on 112 days per year.
The average estimated life Of these
trucks is 61z years, and on this basis
depreciation is usually the largest sin
gle item Of expense in connection with
their operation.
| The average cost Of operation, in
| Guiding depreciation. interest on in
vestment, repairs, registration and IL
cense fees, fuel, oil and tires, is 1872
cents per mile for the one-half and
three-quarter-ton trucks, 1872 for the
one-ton, 21.3 cents for the IL
and 11k-ton, and 25.S cents for the two
ton.
The average cost of hauling crops,
| including the value Of the drivers time
at so cents per hour, is "a cents per
ton mile with the One-half and three
| quarter-ton trucks, 24.1 with the one
ton, 23.3 cents with the IL and ~
ton, and 21.5 cents with the twO-ton
| trucks.
Nearly IS per cent of these trucks
had not been out Of commission when
needed for a single day during the
| year covered by the reports, and so
| per cent Of the owners stated that they
had not lost any appreciable time on
account of motor and tire trouble,
breakage, etc, when using their trucks.
About one truck in fifteen was out Of
commission more than five days, how
ever, and one owner in 40 reported
a loss of more than B per cent Of the
time when using his truck.
Also Own Tractors.
Half OF these men own tractors as
well as motor trucks. Most of the
tractors are used on the larger farms,
however Only 80 per cent of the men
whose farms contain 100 crop acres
or less own tractors, while IS per cent
OF those with over 800 crop acres own
them. The number OF work-stock kept
on the farms where both trucks and
tractors are owned Is only slightly
less than the number kept on the
farms Of corresponding size where only
trucks are owned
Seventy-eight per cent Of these farm
ers state that their. trucks reduce the
expense for hired help. On those
farms where there Is a reduction the
operators estimate that it amounts to
500 per year on the average.