New solution to old awkward-loads problem
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• Rosser and Russell (London) Ltd, Hammersmith-based heating, air conditioning and sanitary service engineering concern, working in conjunction with commercial vehicle bodybuilder Fieldale Ltd, of Crawley, has recently developed a special version of a standard commercial vehicle chassis which offers an interesting solution to the problem of transporting difficult loads such as ductwork, piping and other lengthy, heavy and awkwardly shaped materials from storage depots and fabricating shops to the sites where they are to be installed.
A Bedford KEL chassis with heavy-duty front axle was purchased in chassis cab form and a Tico Type K54E hydraulic crane, supplied by Colchester Tillage Ltd, was installed in the usual rear-of-the-cab position.
By dividing the cab down the middle foreand-aft, and removing the passenger (nearside) half, a flat bay was provided right along this side of the vehicle. A drop-side truck body was constructed on the chassis, being carried right up to the front panel of the original cab on the passenger side.
Suitable modifications were made to the remaining portion of the cab, including the refixing of part of the cut-off sportion, the addition of glazing on the driver's left and the
installation of a small occasional seat for a passenger.
An extension was made to the rear of the truck to give the maximum permitted overhang. This provides a 22ft 8in. bay for pipe and a 16ft 6in.-long clear floorspace over the rest of the vehicle body to hold other material.
Other modifications include removable anchor poles which can be inserted in sockets on the chassis to restrain loads and control the run of pipes in the long bay. The bodywork also incorporates closely spaced bearers, flush flooring for easy off-loading and full drainage arrangements.
Rosser and Russell reports that its new vehicle, which is believed to be unique, offers a number of operational advantages. With a gross vehicle weight of 10 tons, it has a maximum payload of 5.5 tons — 1.1 tons on the front and 4.99 tons on the rear axle. This can be compared with the vehicle previously used — a long-wheelbase Bedford KDL truck — which had a maximum payload of no more than 3.5 tons. Both vehicles, however, have the same unladen weight — 4.5 tons.
Drivers report that the view from the cab is good and that no operational difficulties have been encountered.