CONVEYING HORSES ECONOMICALLY BY ROAD.
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An Interesting Morris-Curtis Vehicle to Carry and' for General Utility Purposes.
Two Horses TN a recent issue we mentioned, in our description of the vehicles . which were exhibited by Morris Caminercial Oars, Lid.; at the Royal Show at NewPort, a Curtis horsebox, and Stated that it was capable of carrying one animal. Messrs. The Morris Garages, of Oxford, have since written us, pointing out that this vehicle was actually designed and 'constructed to carry two horses. Our error,which we regret, was due to a misunderstanding. We have now received .full particulars of this horsebox from the' proprietor of the patents, The Curtis Automobile Co.,Ltd., 18, Berkeley Street, Piccadilly, London, W.1.
Two Morris-Curtis models are marketed, these being the De Luxe and the Standard. Both, like all other Curtis horseboxes, are mainly constructed of Duralumin and aluminium: The De Luxe model is a great advance on the average box designed for this light type of chassis, as spacious accommodation is provided for two grooms, notwithstanding the weight of the extra horse. Two passengers can also be carried in the driver's compartment, where there is total seating accommodation for three persons. Provision has been Made for the inspection of the animals from this position. The horses are loaded and unloaded
by means of a wide ramp, having an easy gradient of about one in three, formed by dropping the front portion of the near sidea the body. This is fitted with spring-balance control, to facilitate raising and lowering, and is provided with full-height safety wings and gates, which are easily operated.
As the animals are carried tail-first, the grooms' compartment is situated at the rear of the body, enabling the men to be at the horses' heads. A padded tip-up seat is provided for each groom and a door with a drop-window is fitted at each &de of the sompartment Interior 'electric :Vining and an electric bell for communisation between the grooms and the driver are provided. Great care has been taken to ensure
ample drainage and s ventilating facilities.
A special feature is made of the interior padding, even the roof being equipped in this manner. The designer has taken every possible care to ensure that no accidental damage can occur
to the animals in transit. Breaststraps, detachable mangers and headrings are provided and the floor is covered with coconut matting.
The centre partition and all the interior fittings ofthe box can be dismantled to enable a mare and foal to be carried or the body to be used for general purposes.
The specification of the chassis, of course, includes front-wheel brakes, electric lighting and starting, large-size pneumatic tyres, spare wheel and tube and specially arranged springing. The price of the complete vehicle is i750.
The Standard model is mounted on the same chassis as the De Luxe type, but differs from it in general fittings. The two horses are carried head-first Loading is effected by a ramp at tho rear of the body and unloading by the same means at the front on the near
side. Hand operation only is pro
vided, but it is claimed that two men can guile easily raise or lower the ramps. Spring-balance control, if desired, can be fitted at an extra cost of about £25. Interchangeable wooden safety wings are provided. They are carried, when not in use, in a special locker which is located to the right a the back ramp. Coconut-matting and interior electric lighting are not included in the specification, but can be fitted at a small extra charge.
In this type of box accommodation for the grooms is provided beside the driver, a door in the forward bulkhead giving easy access to the horses. Provision for the safety of the horses is made as great a feature as in the more elaborate body, the box being padded in exactly the same manner. Ventilation is also given careful consideration.
The retail price of this model is £650, and it is claimed to be in every way as practical and efficient as the De Luxe type; the difference in the price being represented chiefly by the cost of the luxury fittings of the latter.
The 30-cwt. Morris Commercial chassis was subjected to severe tests to ascertain whether it would stand up to the weight of this body with a full load. The results, it is claimed, showed that it was more than strong enough for this
class of work. This, of course, is largely du . to the great reduction in weight effe ted by constructing the body mainly of 1 uralumin and aluminium "instead of the usual timber.
The Curtis Automobile Co. also markets a Curtis single horsebox on a Chevrolet5-cwt. chassis and other boxes of various types, the largest being capable of carrying. four horses or six ponies.