Adjustable-width Washer
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rr HE prototype of a mechanical
washing plant which can be adjusted to accommodate vehicles from 4-ft. 8-in. to 8-ft. wide has been produced by Hallam, Sleigh and Cheston. Ltd. Various types of washing plant are already made by the concern and sold under the Widney trade name. Most of these are for use on passenger vehicles, but the new model, the Widney Lightweight Vehicle
Washing Machine, has been designed primarily for the washing of goods vehicle fleets, where there will be a large variety in vehicle widths.
Basically, the unit consists of two pillars mounted on steel plate platforms with a framework connecting the tops of the pillars. The whole of this structure is made from rolled-steel joists. All joints are welded.
Brush assemblies mounted on rollers are located on the upper framework and can run inside it; they are mounted vertically. Each brushcarrying frame is in the form of an inverted triangle, so that the resultant four point location in the upper frame ensures that each brush is constrained in a vertical position. The bottom ends of
the brush assemblies have slotted plates attached to them. These pass over raised brackets on the pillar feet. Locking bolts go through the slots and are used to secure the brushes in the required position, which is shown by a marker on the platform. Levers which are attached to each brush frame by a link pivot on the respective frames, facilitate adjustment of the brushes.
Semi-circular guards, of light alloy sheet, enclose the ,outside portion of the brushes. Light alloy tubes drilled at intervals to provide the water spray are located on both sides of each brush and connected to a pipe system. The spray tubes extend to the full height of the brushes. The brushes are driven independently by 3 h.p. electric motors.
Vehicles up to 14 ft. high can pass through the washer, which has overall dimensions of 16 ft. 5 in. high and 19 ft. 4 in. wide. Operation of the machine requires a water mains pressure of 30 p.s.i. Alternatively, a static tank or a recirculation system can be incorporated. Water usage is said to be in the region of 20 to 30 gal, for each wash for which a 11-in, main will normally be adequate.
It is intended that the standard fitment on the washer will be helical brushes of Mexican fibre but they can be of nylon or other similar materials if required. Amongst other modifications which can be incorporated are pre-wetting and detergent-washing facilities.