A Low-loading Tipping Trailer
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An Unusual System for cable drums
of Construction in the Henry Boys Outfit
FOR the use of the Midland Electrical Corporation for Power pistribution, Ltd., an interesting four'wheeled trailer has just been built by Islessrs. Henry I3ovs and Son, of Fleck, Walsall, and supplied by Mr. A. Naylor, of Pounds Garage, Toll End, Tipton. The trailer is intended for the transport of cable drums and of machinery up to
a weight of 6 tons, and can be towed behind either a Fordson tractor, or a lorry, provision being made for a change of tow-bar height.
The frame is built up of rolledchannel and angle-section steel, and there are four main longitudinal members, two on each side, one above the other. Located in between the upper and lower side members are two halfelliptic springs on each side, which carry the two cranked axles. The outer ends of these springs are pivoted to the frame and the inner ends are shackled to a balance beam, which is designed to allow one wheel to rise as much as 9 ins, above the other when surmounting an obstacle.
This arrangement serves a double purpose. It ensures that the platform remains level when the vehicle is traversing an Irregular surface. It also offers a simple means for tipping the platform through a small angle, so as to facilitate loading and unloading.
For this purpose, a screw-type jack is fitted at the front, so that end of the trailer can be lifted and the platform is thus tipped to an inclination of about 1 in 18. The tailboard can, of course, be dropped to form a ramp and it is then possible to roll a cable drum on to the platform by hand.
To make loading still:. easier, however, a hand-windh. is fitted at the front of the trailer and this is to be arranged with a winding drum on each side, so that a second drum can be pulled OD to the platform after the first is in position. Steel strips on the platform assist in guiding the drum or other load as it is pulled on to the platform, and provide a better surface on which to roll it.
The four wheels carry Dunlop 34-in. by 7-in, reinforced tyres and each wheel is provided with a 15-in. internalexpanding brake. These are operated by a cable connected to a Boys progressive-action ratchet lever mounted on the tow-bar. The last-named has a cranked end which is detachable by the removal of four bolts. For use behind a Fordsori with its low-level hitch, this end is arranged to drop, but when the trailer is to be towed by a lorry, the cranked part is turned upwards.
With a platform length of 12 ft. and a width of 5 ft. 6 ins., the overall width is 7 ft. 8 ins, and the platform height is 10 ins. When towed behind a Fordson tractor, the turning circle is 37 ft., with an inner clearance circle of 13 ft. Reversing appeared to be no more difficult than is the case with a twowheeled trailer.