Latil

8th November 1935, Page 178

8th November 1935

Page 178

Page 178, 8th November 1935 — Latil

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Surprise Exhibit—Rail or Road LocoTraulier. Trauliers for Petrol and Pro-. ducer-gas. Timber-hauling Equipment

Stand 132

rrHE surprise exhibit of the Laid .i. Company, to which we referred last week, has materialized in the form of a new tractor named the Loco-Traulier, which is appropriately staged on a length of railway line.

The machine is a modified Traulier, which always runs on its pneumatic tyres, but when it is on the rails these tyres are guided by small steelflanged wheels on carriers hinged to the front and rear axles. When on the road the flanged wheels are lifted clear by a simple hand-operated winding gear. To work on the rails the machine is run directly on to them if they he flush with the ground, or by way of simple ramps if they be raised. The flanged wheels are lowered and each pair is pressed lightly on to the rails by a hand-driven screw, the end of which bears in a socket on the hinged carrier. This screw is mounted on a beam secured to, and projecting from, the axle, part of the beam being made telescopic so that the screw can be brought out to the required position.

The design of the new tractor was worked out by the Latil Company • after. close study of the requirements of Lever Bros., Port Sunlight, which has bought the first example.

• -It was put .through its. paces last

• Monday,first showing its road capabilities by climbing up the steps E56

leading to the Firestone tyre factory on the Great West Road, Middlesex, then 'hauling a huge multi-wheeled Crane trailer. Following this it became temporarily railbound and shunted several heavy -trucks with the utmost ease. It is believed that the Loco-Traulier, apart from its road capabilities, will be able to act as a shunting locomotive at an operating cost of one-quarter to one-third that of a steam locomotive designed especially for this work.

The other Latil exhibits are also of particular interest. There is a standard Traulier with driving and steering on all four wheels, equipped with a fourcylindered monobloc petrol engine of 48 b.h.p., high-pressure pneumatics of 38-in. by 7-in, dimensions and a luxurious standard cab with windscreen, sliding roof and a general service compartment at the back. There is also shown a trailer with an aluminium tank having three compartments holding 3,520 gallons.

A second Traulier of this type is on view, and a third equipped with a producer-gas plant which provides its fuel. There is also a. Traulier chassis equipped with the new Gardner 4LK. high-speed oil engine which develops 53 b.h.p. and is noted for its low weight.

Finally, there is the well known Latil timber-hauling equipment. This includes the special folding spuds for use with pneumatic tyres, a powerful winch controlled from t h e driver's seat, and a. land anchor. --Lain Industrial Vehicles, Ltd., II, Albert Embankment, London, SIE.11.