Minerva : Stand 52.
Page 26
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One of the five-ton Minerva wagons, similar to the type which has from time to time taken part in the French military trials, is shown on this stand. It is a stripped chassis, exposing to view the unique type of construction adopted by the Minerva Co. In addition to this exhibit, there are two complete vehicles, both mounted on pneumatic tires, singles to the front wheels and twin tires to the back wheels. These two are both mounted on similar chassis, with four-cylinder 18 h.p, Minerva-Knight engines. One of them has mounted on it a canvascovered van body, whilst the other is a vehicle intended for ambulance work. Reverting to the five-ton chassis, which is obviously the most interesting to English users, because it embodies so many departures from recognized English practice it should be noted that the driver is mounted right over the engine, which is of the 28 h.p. fourcylinder Minerva pattern. The Minerva chassis has an inverted cone clutch, and a three-speed-andreverse gearbox. Probably the most-striking feature about the Minerva five-tonner is the abnormally-longjicardaa shaft, the diameter of which is also much larger than one is accustomed to see. The load-bearing rear axle is a steel stamping, somewhat after the same style as those fitted to the Maudslay machines, but the differential countershaft is carried enfirely at the back of the forged axle, and the final drive from the ends of this shaft is through spur pinions and internally-toothed rings which are bolted to the cast-steel back wheels. The differential gear is provided with a locking arrangement that can be operated direct from the driver's seat. Both torque and thrust are taken up by the top leaves of the bearing springs, and these are of exceptional ditneni sinus, being not less than 5 ins, wide over the back axle and 4 inss on the front. The whole chassis is of ssei7 low build, but in order to obtain the necessary clearance over the back axle, that portion of the frame is upswept in the manner of many taxicab chassis. For a vehicle of such load-carrying capacity, we are of opinion that its back wheels are on the small side. The very large grease caps that are fitted on the spring pins are useful.