Climbing Gradients of 504enrt.
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A Striking Demonstration of the New Trojan Six-wheeler on Down Country and Shingle Beach.
TN last week's issue we gave the first full description of ithe new Trojan six-wheeler, which is designed to carry passengers up to 10 in number, dead loads of 12 cwt, on the read or 9 cwt. across rough country. A convincing demonstration of this machine was given a few days ago.
The venue of the first test was at the foot of Blackcap on the Sussex Downs, near Lewes. The vehicle was loaded with metal ballast. Taking a run of about three yards at a grass-covered chalk bank having a gradient of 1 in 2} it made an ascent without difficulty and without the need
for fitting the tracks around the bogie wheels. After making a right-angle turn it descended a bank having a gradient of 1 in 2-flu, ran across a cart-track and immediately climbed a bank of 1 in 2. Here it was necessary to make a second attempt owing to the vehicle striking an obstruction in the form of a bank which blocked the paths of the front wheels of the bogie; when a course was chosen a few feet to one side the ascent was made without a hitch. At the top of this short rise the vehicle ran on to a stretch of grass having a gradient of about 1 in 4 and then began the long and trying climb of Blackcap.
The grass was wet throughout the test and the chalk on which the wheels ran proved very treacherous. The Trojan ascended without a hitch, in places having to surmount a gradient slightly stiffer than 1, in 2. The descent was perhaps more difficult, owing to the extremely slippery surface, caused by the rain, which fell throughout the trial. It reached the bottom safely and then made the ascent again, carrying six persons to the crest • So long as the contour of the ground permitted the front wheels to be kept in contact with the surface, thus giving full steering control, nothing daunted the machine in its upward or downward progress. It must be remembered that the Trojan .has an engine of 10 h.p. Treasury rating. Despite its small size and a low gear of 48 to 1, it showed that it is capable of tackling extremely difficult routes with certainty. Braking was effective on all surfaces and the all-metal track bands gave a very efficient grip.
Later in the day the machine was demonstrated on the shingle beach at Newhaven. This was, of course, less spectacular, but the tractive resistance was enormous. The Trojan pulled steadily and manoeuvred well.