A New Vehicle for Short Hauls
Page 51
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..C-1 A NEW model of the Millars three
wheeled Tructractor, designed to conform with the present road regulations, and adaptable to a variety of purposes, has been placed on the market by Millars' Machinery Co., Ltd., Pinners' Hall, London, E.C.2. The standard model, as will be seen in the accompanying illustrations, embodies a tipping body with a capacity of 1 cubic yd. Different types of body are, however, available to suit special conditions.
The chassis is of sturdy construction and the motive power is provided by a Ford 24 hp. four-cylindered engine, having a bore of 3i ins. and a stroke of 41 ins. The capacity is 200.5 cubic ins-, and a maximum of 52 b.h.p. is developed.
The drive is taken through a largediameter single-plate clutch to a threespeed gearbox. In view of the -hard conditions under which these trucks may be expected to operate, the gearbox and axle have been designed on particularly sturdy lines, and the gear shafts are of large diameter, being mounted on substantial ball bearings. The overall gear ratios are :—Top, direct ; second, 15.50 to 1; first, 35.48 to 1; reverse, -30.85 to 1. From the gearbox a propeller shaft of 2 ins. diameter, with two Hardy-Spicer joints, carries the drive to the bevel-drive
type rear axle. A double-reductiongear is provided and a four-pinion differential is incorporated.
The frame is of channel section and is dropped at the front, the forward end being stiffened and plated to enable the vehicle to be used as a "pusher" for shunting operations or work of a kindred nature. Sturdy cross-members give adequate strength to the frame, and at the rear, the top edges of the main side-members are tapered to allow of quick tipping of the special body. A towing hook is permanently fixed to the rearmost cross-member.,
'Steering is effected by a worm gear operating through a drag link to the vertically mounted cast-steel front fork, in which is mounted the single front wheel. The fork is set in a steel cross-member and is sprung for both direct and reverse actions. Heavy half-elliptic rear springs are fitted, with additional -quarter elliptic helper springs.
The pedal operates expanding brake shoes in large-diameter drums on the rear wheels, and a separate contractingtype brake on the transmission is operated by a lever. The vehicle is equipped with Dunlop 29-in. by 7-in. tyres at the rear, and a Firestone 18-in. by Vin. tyre at the front.
The -body is made of heavy sheet steel, and, being of the gravity-dump type, gives automatic tipping. There is no need for the driver to descend in order to tip the body or to replace it, as the body discharges automatically on releasing a lever, and swings back into position on the vehicle's being driven away and quickly braked in order to jerk the body back into position.
The wheelbase is 7 ft. 8 ins., the track 4 ft., and the overall length 11 ft. .8 ins. The weight of the vehicle is within 30 cut., and a turning circle of 10 ft. is obtained. • The Millars Truetractor should prove useful in a wide field of -activity, where manceuvrability and quick tipping ,r, desirable, and for short-distance transport work.