THE 30-cwT. TRAFFIC CHASSIS.
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A Strongly-built American Machine with a Continental Engine and a Curious Rear Axle Employing Internal Gear Drive.
CONSIDERABLE NUMBERS of commercialvehicle chassis are now being imported into this country, and -amongst these there are several makes which we are afraid users may regret • buying. Of course, there are also certain makes of chassis which appeal to the British user because their sturdiness of design makes them serious rivals of the British-built chassis, apt from the question of price.
Amongst the latter class is the 30-cwt: Traffic chassis, the sole concessiOnnaires for which are North Western Motors, Ltd., Mersey Chambers, Covent Garden, Liverpool. This chassis is certainly adequately strong for its normal load. It is built up of components manufactured by some of the best known and most successful manufacturers of such parts in the United States of America.
The engine is a Continental and is known as the "Red Seal" type. It has a bore of 3:1 ins, and a, stroke of o ins., impulse its high-tension magneto is pro vided with an Starter; this gives a rapid kick to the armature, ensuring a hot spark when it is required. The four cylinders are cast en bloc, and ' the valves are t. tally enclosed by two covers. ' The cooling is _therrne-:syphonic, which should not give trouble as the water leads are of large bore, and the
radiator, which is of the heavy four-piece cast type, has a cellular core of ample dimensions ; the side brackets are bolted to the chassis through the medium of spiral springs. Lubrication of the engine is by
The carburetter fitted is a Carter, which is well known in America for its efficiency ; its air supply it drawn from a muff fitted to the exhaust branch at the other side of the engine.
The drive from' the engine is taken through a clutch of the multiple-disc type. The gearbox is a Covert, of which the gears are nickel steel, hardened and ground, and with wide teeth. Roller or ball bearings are provided for the main and layshafts.
The eardan shaft is in two sections and is provided with three universal joints. At its centre it is supported by a 3 in., self-aligning, Hyatt roller bearing. The rear axle is of the " dead " type and is a solid steel bar on which the wheelsrun freely. A subsidiary axle carries the bevel gearing and differential and the two driving shafts, each of which is provited with a pinion meshing with internally-toothed drums on the wheels. Two side'brakes of the internal and external type operate on drums bolted to the :rear wheels. The main axle is 2i ins. diameterland is of chrome nickel steel.
A front axle of the Elliot type is employed, and this is a one-piece drop forging. The stub axles are of nickel steel, and large Timken roller bearings are
provided for the wheels.. The driver sits at the left side of the vehicle, the change speed and hand brake levers being centrally positioned. Steering is of the ordinary type with the tiebar behind the front axle. The frame of the Traffic is constructed of 6 ins. girder steel with curved front and rear cross meinhers.
It will be seen that the design of the frame does away with the necessity for the conventional type of dumbirons' and those in use are practically spring hangers of the ordinary type.
A heavy, pressed steel dash is provided. and on this is mounted the petrol tank.
A somewhat curious appearance is given to the machine by .setting the radiator well back on the frame, thus keeping it out of the way in case of an accident, because the front cross member of the frame N7ould eat as a buffer.
An interesting point is the positioning of the speedometer drive, this is direct by gearing from the rear end of the gearbox, and is totally enclosed. The price of this chassis is £600, which includes ,a comprehensive insurance policy issued by the Wheel and Wings Association, Ltd., Lloyds Underwriters: