Laird-mounted lightweight fridge body
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• A payload of 7 tons 9cwt of temperaturecontrolled meats can be carried by a BMC Laird 1160R 13-ton g.v.w. machine recently acquired by Marsh and Baxter Ltd., of Birmingham. The 18ft all aluminium twin-frame type of insulated body was built by Silverdale Motor Bodies Ltd., York Road, Birmingham 28, and is insulated with 4in. of polystyrene. An internal body temperature of 35deg F is maintained by a Thermo King PA unit which operates on propane gas and the vehicle is sometimes used for Continental deliveries. The body weighs 30cwt while the weight of the refrigeration equipment is 7cwt. Unladen weight of the vehicle is 5 tons 11cwt.
A spokesman of the Silverdale company reports that propane-fuelled cooling units are being increasingly employed by concerns operating a number of refrigerated vehicles. It is claimed that the use of propane (compared with petrol) gives a longer engine life and is more economical, given that the consumption of gas warrants the installation of a propane storage tank.