New Features in Fuel Tankers
Page 38
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE accompanying illustrations serve to depict the type of vehicle for which the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., has recently placed an extensive order with Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford.
Two types of elliptical tank are fitted. In one case, internal divisions give compartments of 300, 200 and 100 gallons capacity respectively. The major and minor inside diameters are 4 ft. and 2 ft.
8 ins, and the three draw-off cocks are grouped at the rear. In the other pattern, which is illustrated, the tank has Internal diameters of 4 ft. 6 ins. and 3 ft. 3 ins., with the total capacity of 800 gallons equally divided between four compartments. In this case the draw-off cocks are situated at the rear on the near side behind a hinged door.
Both types of vehicle have boxes along each side, these being designed for carrying motor spirit cans and bottles of Essolube in a manner that enhances rather than detracts from the general appearance. Below the tank are two tubes accommodating delivery hose. The general arrangement of the vehicles offers an exceedingly efficient form of transport, as the composition of the loads can be varied easily-according to the requirements of the season and the district ; accommodation is provided for lubricating and burning oils, and various grades of petrol, all of which can be carried simultaneously and in the requisite proportions.
In specifying certain modifications in the chassis and its equipment, the AngloAmerican Oil Co., Ltd., is following a definite policy. Apart from those features that are legally required of vehicles carrying petrol in bulk, the user has standardized upon definite designs of cab, tank, lighting set, and Other auxiliaries, and these details ar‘reflected in minor alterations to the chassis.
The chassis is the Dennis nonnal-eon
1124'
trol 3i-tonner, with a wheelbase of 14 ft. A feature of the design of this model is the position of the front axle, which is placed well back so as to secure a better distribution of the weight of the load over all four wheels. There is no risk -of impact with the engine sump as the latter is at the forward end of the power unit, whilst a steep slope to the rear of the main well is a safeguard against starvation when hill-climbing if the oil supply has been allowed to sink below normal.
The pronounced rake of the steering column, a feature of this chassis, has, in the present instance, been increased, so that the clearance measured from the lowest point of the rim to the floor is 2 ft. 5i ins. In conjunction with the special seat in the cab, this arrangement gives the driver accommodation comparable with that of a well-equipped touring car. A door at each side, with a sliding window, gives access to the cab, which is totally enclosed. The windscreen has one quarter made to open, and a fullwidth vizor is fitted. At the rear, two large look-out windows, the bases of which conform with the contour of the tank, give excellent visibility. The cab is of metal and is extended at the sides and 'bottom to form the necessary fireproof screen.
Modifications have also been made in the petrol tank. In order that it should clear the screening, it has been reduced in length, but the resultant capacity of approximately 30 gallons is not likely to cramp the rangel of the vehicle as deliveries will be made within a limited radius from given centres. The filler-cap is secured by a padlock. An Autovac replaces a mechanically operated pump for feeding the carburetter—a Solex self-starting model—and all petrol piping is of copper. A Bosch horn is fitted, whilst a C.A.V.-Bosch double-pole 12-volt lighting set is used. The nine-cell N.I.F.E. battery supplies current for Desmo Safebeam headlamps and a special tail-lamp, all the wiring being encased in waterproof flexible metallic tubing. The side lamps are fitted to the sides of the cab on the waist-rail line.
At the off side of the chassis is the brake-operating gear, comprising a Marelli vacuum-servo and the Lockheed master-cylinder, all of which, together with a group of lubricating nipples, is in the standard Dennis chassis, concealed by a special hinged cover. On the Anglo-American tankers, however, the length of the cover has been reduced so that it shields only the servo mechanism, thus enabling attention to be given more readily to the adjacent components.
Other features deserving mention are the provision of a thermostat in the cooling system and a Skyhi hydraulic jack in the tool kit.
The tank bodies for the vehicles we have described have been built by Thompson Brothers (Bilston), Ltd., but we understand that the Steel Barrel Co. (of Uxbridge), Ltd., has received an order for similar equipment from the Anglo-American concern.