Novel Vehicle-lifting Appliances for Ships
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XCELLENT facilities now exist at Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin, at the berths of the British and Irish Steam'Packet Co., for the loading and unloading of motor vehicles, special appliances being used for the Work. A few days ago representatives of well-known transport organizations had the opportunity for witnessing demonstrations during the loading,of the Liverpool-Dublin steamer "Lady Munster." Vehicles can be loaded or unloaded by mains of the ship's derrick, or with a Ransome 5-ton portable dock crane, at the rate of one per minute.
The motor-loading appliance consists of a longitudinal beam fitted at the extremities to cross-members. These are adjustable to suit the length of any standard 2-ton lorry or van. Adjustments can also be made in the lifting _tackle to ensure adequate Clearance for the width of the vehicle when the wire ropes are drawn tight. The most interesting parts of the device are those which actually bear the load. Four pairs of shackles, each looped and spaced to the shark of the wheel, are kept in position bY the weight of
the vehicle. Our illustration shows how the lifting bracket fits over the wheel. On the upper portion there is a horizontal plate lined with a thick rubber buffer which presses against the tyre. The hoops which carry the weight on the bottom surfaces of the tyre are amply strong and afford an extremely satisfactory supporting cradle and one
which is very in position. easily and quickly fitted
At the four suspension points the shackle at the end of the wire lifting rope is locked outwards to prevent the links from causing damage to the wings. This lifting tackle is designed to carry loads up to 3 tons. At Princes Dock, Liverpool, motor vehicles can be picked up by the Ransome crane, carried along the quay shed, and deposited in the hold of the steamer without the intervention of any assistance from. the .shore gang. The. saving of time thus effected is considerable.