A Box-type Refuse Body
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with Unusual Features
FOR the past 10 years Willesden Urban District Council has employed 14 Ransomes Orwell refuse-collection vehicles and they are still giving excellent service. Furthermore, in the words of Mr. A. W. Blake, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E., the electrical engineer to the council, "they look like seeing another 10 years' service." Mr. Blake has devoted a considerable amount of time to experimenting with various types of body, with a view to ensuring the dustless collection of house refuse, and he has now brought out a pattern which he considers will assist largely in the attainment of that end. seven of these new bodies have, so far, been mounted upon the Ransomes chassis and the remaining machines will shortly be converted.
Mr. Blake's design of body for the Willesden batteryelectric refuse-collecting vehicles is unique, in that it is of the box type, it being high enough to allow a loader to stand upright in it. Actually, the 'height of the body is 6 ft. 6 ins., the length is about 12 ft., whilst the width is approximately 6 ft. 6 ins. It is designed to tip, being operated by Ransomes horizontal-screw mechanism. The body framing is of steel, whilst the floor is of 1-in. oak. Up to a certain point oak side panels are employed, whilst the upper part of the body consists of matchwood. It iS, of course. unnecessary that this portion should be constructed of particularly stout material, as it is not called upon to bear weight. Zinc gauze is let into the centre of the roof, an that ample lighting and ventilation are afforded.
Access to the interior of the body is by way of a short ladder, which has wheels mounted upon its lower end. The loaders can easily mount and dismount, whilst the wheels enable the vehicle, when engaged on house-to-house collection, to travel without the necessity of removing the ladder. When longer, .distances are, however, being covered the steps are stored in a cradle 'between the chassis members at the rear of the machine.
Inside the body a wood barrier stretches from side to side, it being held in an upright position by suitable fittings. The to of this board is approximately level with the waist of a man of average height. The loader tips his burden
over the barrier, which prevents the material from falling back on to his feet. When the space forward of the board is full the latter can be moved back a notch, and, when the vehicle is completely loaded, the barrier, in conjunction with two side wings, forms a door. The rear of the body is not entirely enclosed, but sufficleat protection is afforded to prevent refuse from blowing out of the machine.
• As the body is tipped, the board and wings automatically fall outward, although, in the case of one or two of the bodies, the rear cover is operated by means of a wire. We learn, however, that owing to peculiar conditions which prevail at the unloading yard, the pattern of door first described is the more suitable.
Although the exact capacity of the body is uncertain, we are told that it is about 1i times that of the normal refuse-collection vehicle.