KEEPING THEM RUNNING
Page 63
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\tirith Ron Cater/
Although much discussion has taken place about the brake efficiencies required under the Plating and Testing Regulations affecting commercial vehicles, it seems that insufficient thought has been given by vehicle makers to the operator with a fleet of pre-1968 vehicles and who has neither the wish nor the capital to replace them.
Among such operators, a fair number use drawbar trailers. Although obtaining good braking by means of cable-operated brake controls, they must now seek the additional benefits and higher efficiencies obtainable by simultaneously braking both trailer and prime mover. The difficulty of installation and the expense involved is, however, often prohibitive.
After considerable research and practical experiment, Neate Brake Controls Ltd. has developed the Neate A/620 air/cable unit, designed for installation on a towing vehicle near to the rear cross-member. When air is injected into the diaphragm, a drop arm acts on a cable passing to the trailer and provides the benefits of air braking without alteration to the existing trailer system.
By use of the same basic system. Neate is also able to provide for operators who, although having old trailers, are also buying new ones on which the modern three-line system may be fitted. In such cases, the A/620 assembly is combined on the towing vehicle with three-line outlets to the trailer, thus ensuring maximum interchangeability between units in the fleet. This system can be combined with the prime and secondary air systems on a vehicle and, if required, the repeat-stroke trailer brake may be retained to enable parkbraking without placing extra reliance on the towing unit's park-brake system.
The well-known NLC/4 heavyduty flexible connection conducts the cable from the A/620 assembly on the trailer drawbar. The cable travel of over 6in. is more than sufficient to apply the trailer brakes fully and with ample power. It is quickly detachable and trailers with different length drawbars present no problem of standardization.
Alternative positions for the A/620 air/cable assembly are in front of the trailer and, if need be, on the drawbar or under the trailer in a position suitable for operating the cable or rods running to the brake drums. The alternative positions require air hoses to be fitted on the trailer and, in certain cases, extra airpressure cylinders will be required. The system is provided as a single unit and does not require individual diaphragms at each wheel.
Installation of three-line systems, as well as the fitting of the well-known single and repeat-stroke Neate brake cobtrols can be carried out at the com pany's works at Hanworth, on both solo and drawbar trailer vehicles, and brake testing on Triangle brake testing equipment can also be arranged.
A number of serviceable vehicles are in danger of being devalued because of their inability to achieve modern braking standards. In a large proportion of cases, the fitting of a Neate NBC/14 improved single-stroke handbrake can improve the situation. This control has already proved its value on chassis of up to 16 tons g.v.w., but the latest modification multiplies the driver's effort still more without interfering with existing relay arms in the system.
The address of Neate Brake Controls Ltd. is: Hanworth Trading Estate, Hampton Road West, Hampton, Middx. Telephone 01-894-9181.