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An All-British Chassis.

10th January 1907
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Page 5, 10th January 1907 — An All-British Chassis.
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Manchester takes up the Supply of Lorries and Omnibuses fitted with Internal-Combustion Engines.

The healthy effects of the spread of the heavy motor industry is apparent, not only in London, but, to an equal degree, in most of the centres where chassis are constructed, and this fact applies to Manchester, amongst other cities. A representative of this journal has made a test of the running powers of the new standard omnibus chassis which is being manufactured by Messrs. the Hercules Motor and Engineering Company, of Levenshulme, Manchester. A general description of this vehicle was given in " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" of the 27th September last. The illustrations, which are shown upon these pages, will give an excellent idea of the general proportions belonging to the various details of the construction. Since these photographs were taken, a new and larger radiator has been adopted, to occupy the place of the older one. Another chassis of this type will, shortly, make its appearance in the Metropolis, when intending purchasers, and others, will do well to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded for inspection and trial of the vehicle on the road.

An earlier examination of the drawings, by a representative of this journal, had led us to believe that the finished article would be a great advance upon anything that had, hitherto, been accomplished at the Levenshulme works, and a production of which they might, justly, feel proud : the result had not belied those expectations. As soon 115 the

firm has completed its arrangements for output, we shall expect to see an increasing number of Hercules vehicles at work, both for passenger and goods conveyance, throughout the United Kingdom. The engine hearings are lubricated by means of a beltdriven 1Nâ– herty lubricator, which supplies a constant, and regular, feed of oil. There is an absence of any smoky exhaust, and the machinery is remarkably quiet when running, both up hills, and along the level.

The illustration of the chassis, taken from the near end f. ee page 408), shows the manner in which the Sharpe " Universal " silencer is suspended, from the main members of the frame, by steel brackets. The foot brake, which acts upon two drums, bolted to the ends of the differential shaft, is powerful, and will easily pull up the vehicle within its own length : the neoessity for an efficient foot brake, combining, at the same time, smoothness of action and power, can hardly be over-rated. It will be seen, from the photograph reproduced above, that the foot-brake drums are placed outside the frame, giving ready accessibility for adjustment, and that they are of a large diameter, in addition to having wide faces to distribute the wear.

The chassis is mounted upon long, and flexible, springs, which materially increase the comfort of the passengers, and, of not less importance, minimise the vibrations which are communicated to the engine and machinery.

We are, now, enabled to give an excellent illustration of the actual gears and gearbox; the type is the standard one fitted to all the vehicles made by this firm, and its past success undoubtedly warrants its adoption as one of the features of this vehicle. The use of a gearbox provided with a central member, is a great advance upon the older two-meniber form, which is furnished with a top cover, and, perhaps, an oil drain-cock in the bottom one. The gearwheels, and also the top and bottom brasses, cr,n be examined with a very little trouble, and a mechanic, Or the driver of the vehicle, can do repairs expeditiously, owing to the freedom of all the parts from undue obstruction. The advantages of this form of box. are, still further, demonstrated when night work has to be undertaken.

The chassis can be fitted with the Hercules patent oscillatingfront axle, although the vehicle under notice had a plain one. The patented axle has a parallel motion, making it impossible for the front wheels to depart from a vertical plane, even when surmounting an obstacle of considerable

size. This form of front carriage has been applied to the steam wagons manufactured by the firm, for a considerable period. A three-point suspension of the vehicle is obtained, and this design has many advocates.

Reference to the bird's-eye view of the chassis, on the preceding page, will make it an easy matter for a reliable idea of the strength of the framework, and the disposition of the transmission details, to be gathered. In addition to the usual gusset plates, and angle brackets, two long stiffening plates are riveted to the main side members, and these extend from behind the dash to the transverse cross member which supports the forward end of the gearbox. Great strength is combined with neatness of design and good workmanship.

At a time when there is every occasion to study, most closely, the provisions, as regards easy control and disposition for prompt repair, in any commercial chassis, it is satisfactory to be able to direct attention to the care and foresight that has been bestowed upon the latest Hercules production. The Atlas Works, at Levenshulme, have been occupied, for several years past, in the manufacture of steam wagons, special types of wheels, and other important components for heavy-vehicle makers. The proprietors have found, as has proved to be the case in so many other cases, that time, alone, is able to bring about that perfection, both of general design and minute detail, which justifies the claim of any engineering works to be regarded as in the front rank of British constructors. The principals of the firm, as a means to the end in view, have spared no pains to acquaint themselves with the best practice of the world's leading makers of commercial vehicles, and the result may be seen in the chassis now illustrated in its complete form.

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People: Or
Locations: Manchester, London

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