Easier to Drive and Maintain
Page 40
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SEVERAL design improvements have been incorporated in the range of E.R.F. vehicles to be exhibited at Earls Court this month. These include modifications to the braking system, clutch operation, engine mounting and the fuel system, and the fitting of the new K.V. cab to all models except the 44S short
wheelbase Scarnmell tractor. • •
Girling hydraulic braking is standard equipment for all models. This is, ot the heavy-duty wedge-operated type; with two-leading-shoe arrangement and an increased centre lift. On all models except the 44G four-cylindered fourwheeler, a Clayton Dewaralre concentric air servo is provided. This is a compact unit in which the control. valves, operating piston and master cylinder have ,a cOmmOn-axis..
Because only .one air piston has to be operated, the engine-driven compressor is much smaller than that fitted when full air-pressure braking is used, Thus a more powerful braking system is provided and at the same time weight and the number of components have been i'duced.
A 6-in.-diameter servo is fitted to the fiveand six-cylinderecl four-wheelers, larger models having a 7i-in,-diameter motor. The 44G retains a vacuum servo, as this is considered to be satis factory for gross weights of up to 12 tons.
Hydraulic clutch operation is to be standardized, and several models will be shown on the E.R.F. stand with pendant clutch and brake pedals, al arrangement which is likely to b adopted throughout the range. Th master cylinder for clutch operation i located beneath the cab Boor and th, slave cylinder is bolted to the elute] housing and acts through a shor adjustable link.
The rear-engine mounting on al models has been simplified by reductios to a two-point arrangement. A trans verse bracket is built up from the elutei housing and is supported on Metacom units on brackets suspended from rigid frame cross-member. The rear o the gearbox is now unsupported, an this makes the removal of the engira and gearbox, as a unit, much easier.
Micronie fuel filters have been incor porated in the fuel lines of all models with one filter on home models Anc two on vehicles for overseas use. Thest are accessibly mounted on the nearsicli of the frame behind the cab. A pressure-relief valve is also fitted to tin radiator-top tank to prbvent the los: of water through the overflow pipe.
The 445. tractor with Scammel coupling gear is now in full productior and will be exhibited with a redesign& coachbuilt cab which does not have E curved windscreen, as fitted to the K.V cab on other models.