New Detachable-axle Machinery Semi-trailer
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RECENTLY supplied by Carrimore Six-Wheelers, Ltd., North Finchley, London, N.12, to Cattermoles (Transport), Ltd., Islington, London, N.7, the semi-trailer, shown in an accompanying illustration, coupled to a Bedford 3-ton tractive unit, is of special interest.
It has a detachable axle, to enable the rear part of the frame to be lowered on to the ground in order to facilitate the loading and unloading of heavy machinery, for the transport of which the vehicle is expressly designed, and we believe it to be the first vehicle having pneumatic tyres to be thus equipped.
Built for 9-ton loads, the outfit has an unladen weight of 5 tons. In running trim, the main platform is 1 ft. 8 ins, high, and 12 ft. 10 ins. long, whilst, when lowered, there This Carrimore semi-trailer, coupled to a Redford 3-ton tractive unit, has recently been supplied to Catterrnoles (Transport), Ltd. The operation of removing the axle and lowering the platform occupies only is a step-up of only about 8 ins., that is, the overall depth of the structure, which can easily be bridged by a short ramp. Thus, a machine such as the trench-digger, seen in the picture, which is self-propelled, can be driven on or off the vehicle under its own power.
The lowering of the trailer comprises the following operations. First the frame is jacked up on both sides, a matter of a few inches, to relieve the springs and tyres of all load. Then two nuts, which secure hinged axle caps, are slackened off and the pivoted retaining studs B92 swung clear. Next the wings are removed, these being secured by quickly detachable pillars at the rear and sockets at the front, and the brake cables and tail-lamp lead are uncoupled. Finally, the frame is lowered by the jacks, and the axle, on its wheels, run backwards, so that the way is clear for the machine.
The picture on the right shows the rear of the vehicle dropped, and the
two jacks in position. Provision is made, in the construction of the frame, for the stresses,, imparted in raising and lowering it by this means, to he withstood. When the extreme end is resting on the ground the weight is, of course, distributed between the various points of contact and concentration of pressure, to some extent, is thus a voided On the occasion when our photographs were obtained, one hour elapsed from the arrival of the vehicle with its load to its departure empty. This time included lowering and raising, manceuvring the machine off the platform and taking the photographs. Allowance must be made for the fact that this was the first trip the vehicle had made ia the service of the Cattermole concern, and the men
were strange to the job: It is estimated that, when familiarity has been acquired, .10 minutes wlll suffice for either raising or lowering, which includes the coupling or uncoupling operations.