New Lightweight Matched Artic for Indivisible Loads L OW unladen weight
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is combined with strength in a new matched articulated outfit produced jointly by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., Liverpool, and Fodens, Ltd., Sandbach. Intended for an indivisible load of up to 30 tons, the Dyson all-steel, welded, cranked-frame semitrailer weighs only 6 tons 13 cwt. unladen. It has been designed to suit a Foden tractive unit with a Gardner engine and a 12-speed epicyclic underdrive gearbox. Maximum gross train weight is 42 tons 11 cwt.
Considerable use of high-tensile steel has helped to keep down the weight of the semi-trailer, the standard dimensions of which are 34 ft. 10 in. long x 8 ft. wide, with a 20-ft.-Iong loading bed. Other sizes are available on demand. The side rails are specially strengthened to withstand deformation and on both sides and at the rear there are ledges to take ramps for off-loading purposes. Recessed lashing shackles are fitted along each side. Ground clearance when laden is 1 ft. 4.5 in. at the front and 10.5 in. at the rear.
The two detachable axles on the semitrailer are mounted on hub roller bearings. Tyre equipment on the, trailer is 14.00-20 (22-ply) and on the tractive unit 11.00-20 (16-ply). Twin-line air-pressure braking is fitted as standard. The fifthwheel coupling is the Dyson standard 500 36-in. SAE/SIVIMT model. The tractive unit has a plastics cab.