Vehicle Makers' Effort ) Meet Farmers' Needs
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AS a gesture of protest, the vehicle exhibits, which in the past have constituted the true hub of the commercial-motor interest at the " Royal," are, this year, to be practically absent. There seems to be justification for the action taken by manufacturers in this matter. Their very unity is evidence that grounds exist for the disgruntlement felt.
Our concern here, however, is not to consider the rights and wrongs of this affair, nor to study the views and feelings of the various parties involved. Our object is to serve to some degree as a substitute, and to bring under the observation of our readers a representative selection of the products cf chassis makers which are devised specifically to meet the requirements of that big and important field of industry commonly, although somewhat loosely, covered by the word agriculture, using it in its widest sense.
We cannot attempt to be fully corn prehensive in outlining the types available, for they are too numerous. The pictures, however, on these pages and certain others elsewhere in the issue exemplify excellently what the maker is doing for the farmer.
In the main it is the bodywork rather than the chassis that is adapted for the express needs of the agriculturist or of the haulier engaged in work associated with farms. A high degree of ingenuity has been devoted to devising suitable equipment.
Most noteworthy, perhaps, are the cattle-carrying vehicles. The qualifications of the chassis are not markedly different from those for ordinary haulage. Reliability, capacity for standing up to rough usage, ample power; economy, low weight and attractive price are points of first consideration. Bodies, on the other hand. have received specialized attention, and to-day have reached an advanced stage of development.
Hygiene, durability, ease of operation and enlargement of scope are among the main objects of designers. Under the first heading comes provision for proper drainage, possibly for ventilation and for facilitating cleaning. Under the next, the ability to withstand the rigours of cattle transport, and the stresses imposed by chassis distortion when traversing rough land, farm tracks and so forth, and to endure exposure to weather, constant washing down.. etc., must be sought in, constructional details and the choice of materials. Expansion and contraction of timbers is a prominent cause of trouble, and, in selecting a vehicle, due attention should he paid to the precautions taken to allow for this.
With regard to the third, one of the chief points is the inclusion of apparatus to simplify the task of lowering and raising the ramp, rigging up the gates or side rails, and possibly manipulating partitions, decks or roofsections.
It is now usual to incorporate ramp balancing mechanism, so that it is well within the capabilities of a man or even a boy to raise and lower this heavy component single-handed. Commonly springs are employed to compensate the weight.
The scope of the cattle carrier is dependent upon its adaptability for different classes of livestock. There are bodies which are readily altered for the accommodation of cows, calves, sheep or horses, and this feature is of the first importance, and inevitably commends the vehicle to the average farmer or livestock haulier.
Adaptability may be extended still farther, and vehicles are obtainable which can be converted from cattle carriers to drop-sided or ptatform lorries with little difficulty.
Before dismissing the subject of livestock vehicles, mention should be made of the trailers for this purpose that are available. In equipment, of course, they closely resemble the selfpropelled machines and the usual attractions of the trailer apply to them, possibly, even more than in general haulage.
Special mention is merited by the small two-wheeled trailer, which is a particularly handy means for transporting one animal. Low-built, fast, light. well-suited for the negotiation of rough country, and inexpensive, the small trailer commands consideration.
For distribution of produce or milk, and for general hack-work around the farm the small van, or lorry of 5 cwt. or 10 cwt., is invaluable to the small farmer and a most useful addition to the transport equipment of the bigger organization. It is a speedy vehicle, cheap to buy and to operate and is remarkably capacious, so that when light goods are being carried big loads can be accommodated.
In a somewhat different field the c40 " utility" vehicle has gained great popularity. Whilst its business-like appearance holds a strong appeal to the agriculturist, its dual purpose—the transport of passengers or goods— renders it an asset on countless occasions.
Concerning the haulage of produce by medium and heavy-weight lorries, there are several points to remark. Whether the vehicle be operated by the farmer himself or by the haulier engaged in this branch of his industry, there is certain equipment that is essential. A typical produce lorry has detachable drop sides, to which racks or extensions can be fitted. A high headboard will be a feature, and it is by no means unusual for a sided platform to he' built over the cab.
Farm produce is so often bulky in relation to its weight that advantage needs to be taken of all the available space. For the same reason, a moderately long wheelbase, forward control and a long loading space are desirable.
Milk is a highly important farm pro
duct, and it is transported in three main ways—in bulk, in churns and in crated bottles. Big milk tankers are a common sight on our main roads, and are hygienic and economic where large quantities are handled. Churns can, of course, be transported in ordinary lorries with solid or lattice sides or stanchions and chains, but in numerous cases special types are desirable, notably, when the churns are stacked in tiers. Sometimes, the upper deck extends for only a part of the full length.
For bottled milk large and small vehicles are employed and their equipment depends largely upon the nature of their service.
Finally we come to timber haulage. and for this the trailer is pre-eminent. The extensible pole trailer or timber drug, commonly towed by its forestry tractor, equipped with winch and land anchor, has expedited this branch of agriculture vastly. Achievements on the part of those manufacturers concentrating on these vehicles are considerable.