New Ideas in Roller Design
Page 114

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THE accompanying illustration shows a remarkable 3-ton steam roller known as the Simplicity, which is made by Wallis and Steevens, Ltd., of Basingstoke.
One of the main features in the design is the loco-type boiler, which is inclined at a steep angle, so that it combines the good points of the loco and vertical types and permits the saddle casting to be attached to the underside at the front, so making a neat and substantial forecarriage head at a low height. In this head is pivoted the fork carrying the front roll.
The boiler consists of a plain cylindrical shell with a firebox of the same shape; thus there is an entire absence of internal Projections and corners, and no stays to accumulate deposits or to interfere with thorough cleaning, as any sediment tends to fall on to the mud doors situated at the lower end, through -which it can quickly and easily be cleared.
Both tube plates are inclined, so that under all normal conditions all the tubes are fully covered ; even on very stiff gradients, unless the water level were abnormally low, they would still be protected by splash if temporarily uncovered, thus preventing the possibility of leakages due to sudden expansion or contraction. This point is of importance, as many steeply inclined roads are nowadays well surfaced, involving roller I work.
The. mounting of the 'boiler enables the crank saddle box, shafts and gears to be kept at a much lower level.
The single-cylindered engine is mounted directly on the boiler at the highest point. The transmission is by spur gears, there being one speed and a free-running position.
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