AN INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC TIPPING TRUCK.
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An Interesting Model the Scope of which is Increased by Fitting a Tipping Body.
THE small electric industrial truck is a utility machine in every sense of the word. In certain spheres of activity it has displaced the hand barrow or truck, and operations which were previously performed in a slow and laborious manner can now be expetli tiously and efficiently carried out by its timely aid. Perhaps one of the best examples of the all-round mobility of such a machine can be witnessed at SOM8 of the busy railway termini, where the industrial truck is often employed for hauling a series of baggage carriers, and the ease with which it can thread its wayin and out of pedestrian traffic, in spite of the fact that it may have five or six trucks in tow, is most marked.
The merits of the industrial truck are now receiving recognition in many new quarters, and the range of usefulness of such units is being constantly extended by employing interesting types of body which, although used on larger goods. carryingmachines, have not hitherto been produced in miniature form.
Take the case of the tipping body. We believe that several makes of platform trucks have been equipped with such bodies, but one of the latest is that which is to be found on the model G.13. Edison acCumulator industrial truck sold by Electriears, Ltd., 47, Seymour Place, London, W. 1. This chassis, which has a carrying capacity of two tons, has severaf interesting constructional features, and is worthy of brief description.
The motor with which it is equipped is of the heavy duty series wound type, and it is totally enclosed. Its capacity is such that ample provision is made for any overload which it may be called upon to bear in emergency.
The battery equipment of the truck consists of 42 Edison B6-type
which are connected in two parallel sets of 21 cells each, giving a total ampere
hour capacity of 225 and requiring 32-40 volts for charging at a normal rate of 45 amperes. The battery box is carried below the platform of the truck on a steel cradle, which is supported from the main frame by helical springs.
. The controller is of the drum type, and its design is such as to eliminate all arcing in operation. The current can not be applied to the controller without first releasing the brake, which action automatically closes the circuit switch.
The moment the current is cut off the brakes operate -automatically, and re
main effective until the current breaker is again closed, when the band brake is released. The controller is operated by a lever in a vertical plane, which gives three speeds forward, and the same number in reverse at speeds of from one to Six miles per hour.
The frame of the truck is of channel steel, which is in one piece and is bent
to shape. The front axle is a drop forging of I-section, the rear axle being of the full-floating worm-driven type. The wheels, which are shod with solid tyres, are of cast steel and of .16 ins. diameter.
The steering of the truck is performed by a lever conveniently arranged for operation in both directions, and it actuates the stub axles in the standard way. Having now given brief constructional details of the truck, we can proceed to a description of the body and tipping gear with which it is fitted.
The body has an area of 50 cubic ft., and its loading capacity is one ton, or half the carrying capacity of the chas-' sis. It is built up of mild steel plates, which are strongly riveted and reinforced to prevent bulging, racking or similar troubles. The driver's end of the body is inclined at an angle to the tipping gear, whilst the tailboard is hung on a horizontal hinge and is latched from both sides by semi-automatic catches. The steel fittings throughout the body are of robust build, and are made from either forgings or castings.
The tipping gear is of the single vertical-screw type, and, of course, it is electrically operated. The mechanism is eastreinely simple, and all working parts are enclosed in an °Math and run on ball bearings of ample dimensions. The switch is of special design, and gives an extra rapid break to prevent arcing. Helical spring buffers are fitted at the top and the bottom of the main screw, in order to serve as a cushion for the gear when the body is being raised or lOwered titi its maximum extent. The body, when loaded to capacity, can be completery tipped in the brief space of 30 seconds.
The .chief dimensions of this useful truck, which should find favour in a variety of trades, are as follow :— Length overall, 7 ft. 11 ins.; length of platform loading space, 6 ft. 3 ins.; width of platform loading space, 3 ft. 9 ins.; height of platform from ground, 1 ft. 71 ins.; over-all height (exclusive of tipping screw and stop), 4 ft. 4 ins.; wheelbase, 4 ft. 6 ins.; track, 2 ft. 3