Fire Engine Chassis
Page 130

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WHILST all fire engines need a pump, VI' apart from this fundamental feature there is a wide diversity of opinion as to what other equipment should be incorporated. Patent No. 885,689, discloses a chassis fitted with a pump, but otherwise the whole of the body space is unencumbered so that any other desired equipment can be carried. (Leyland Motors, Ltd., Hough Lane, Leyland, Lancs.) It will be seen from the drawing that the frame is relatively high for this type of vehicle. The engine (I), which is of the horizontal type, is carried under the frame, together with its gearbox (2).
Mounted ahead of the engine is the main fire-pump (3). This may be of any desired type and is driven via a gearbox. A torsional vibration damper is also fitted to prevent crankshaft oscillations reaching the pump rotor.
A small auxiliary pump (4) is driven by belts from the crankshaft. Its purpose is to give " first-aid " treatment to a fire while the main set-up is being made.
The radiator, displaced from the front of the vehicle by the fire-pumps, may be mounted at the side with its fan beltdriven.
These arrangements leave the top of the frame completely clear. Mention is made in the patent of providing an extra position in the gear lever gate to engage the pump drive.