Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/121

Rh a carriage can be lifted off the ground, or any heavy portion of the machinery raised from the car without difficulty. There is also another use—viz. that with a dynamometer the weight of a vehicle can very fairly be estimated by lifting first the fore part and then the hind part just off the ground, and adding the two weights together.

If a pit does not exist, such an arrangement can be made to take its place, by raising the car to a convenient height above the floor.

A zinc tray about four feet long and about six inches narrower than the track of the car should be put under each vehicle to catch the drip, and for placing dirty waste in. In this manner cleanliness is cultivated. Wedges are also required for placing before and behind the wheels of a car when it is desired to keep them immovable.

It is money saved to have duplicate special tools in the motor-car house, since a great deal of wear and tear to the cars is avoided, due to the constant opening and shutting the drawers and cupboards to obtain the tools therefrom. The tool cupboard in the motor-house should also contain a complete set of all the spares which are usually carried in the cars, apart from other duplicate portions which it is usual to keep in stock; or nothing is more annoying than for a driver to find himself miles from home when some little spring or other matter may be required, and is found to be absent because it had already been used and a new one had not been put back in the carriage. In short, it is a good rule for the mechanic to have strict orders never to use a tool or duplicate part in the car except when oh the road.

The ventilation of a motor-car house has not so far been referred to, for in reality it is almost unnecessary. The constant opening and shutting of the large doors give ample air, and if the tanks and joints on the car are kept tight, as they should be, no smell of benzine gas will be found at any time present. At the same time it is desirable that ventilation should exist, as it may be necessary to clean the cars with the