Special Unit for Fridge Transport
Page 52
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A SEMI-TRAILER outfit intended I'M' in. the transport of refrigerated display units has been put into service by the Smithfield Refrigerator Co., Ltd. A Bedford TX 8-ton tractive unit and a Scammell 25-ft, trailer with automatic coupling make up the unit which was supplied by the Capital Motor Co.. Ltd., Tottenham Lane, London, N.8.
Because of the bulky, but relatively light character of the load to be carried, a structure was designed for the semitrailer so that two layers of units could he carried.
To facilitate loading and unloading; a Hiab 2-ton capacity hydraulic crane is mounted on the tractive unit. This gives a reach of 13 ft. and incorporates hydraulic support legs on both sides to give stability. Power is supplied from a power-take-off on the Bedford gearbox.
All design work for the mounting of the Hiab crane and the layout of the structure of the trailer was done by the Capital. Motor Co., Ltd., and completed by Jack Rigby Motors, Ltd., of Southall.
The support structure takes the form of five transverse frames positioned so that they lie between the refrigerator units. The frames fit into sockets on both sides of the platform, and the tailboards' and head-boards, also of rolled steel sections, are built to the same height. Two longitudinal channel-section members are connected to the top of the transverse frames and the tailand headboards. The webs of these face upwards and are located so that the feet of the upper row of refrigerator units fit into the channel to prevent movement.
As the crane has not sufficient reach to lift the units from the end of the platform, unloading is carried out by removing those at the front first and sliding the n I 8 others forward. The floor of the platform is covered with sheet steel to allow this procedure to be carried out with the lower units. For the same reason the transverse frames are made detachable.
The refrigerated units carried are 8 ft. and 12 ft. long. They weigh 10 cwt. and 15 cwt. respectively and 12 of the former or eight of the latter can be carried, although as a rule loads are of mixed sizes.
Previously a Morris 5-ton platform lorry was used for the work. This vehicle was equipped with an Anthony Hoist tail lift and could accommodate only three 8-ft. and two 12-ft. units.
NEW SECOND-HAND CENTRE
ALARGE new second-hand commercial vehicle 'centre has been opened by Murkett Bros., Ltd., at their depot in Creek Road, March, Canal's, and later a similar centre may be opened at Wisbech. a few miles away. Their breakdown and repair service is being extended and new recovery vehicles put into operation.
NEW BVSSING PLANT FOR BERLIN
THE West German vehicle manufacturer, Rinsing Automobilwerke AG, of Brunswick, is to invest over £270,000 in a new works in the Spandau district of West Berlin. The works will produce vehicle spare parts for distribution to international markets, as well as undertaking vehicle repair work.
• FEWER POLISH VEHICLES I N the first half of this year, it is announced from Warsaw, only 8,100 road 'goods vehicles were manufactured in Poland, compared with 9,300 in the corresponding Period of last year.
Half a Million Joints
AT a ceremony held by Hardy Spicer. Ltd., at their Chester Road Works, Birmingham, last week, to commemorate production of half a million Birfield constant-velocity joints for B.M.C. Minicars and van-s, it was claimed that no failure of a joint had been reported. Two joints are used for each front-wheel-drive assembly, a constant-velocity type being required because of the short length of the propeller shaft.
Present production of Birfield joints is around 10,000 per week, and the plant is being expanded to meet a demand in excess of 18,090 per week. This expansion will increase. the capital expenditure on plant from Ulm, to about £2m.
Mr. X. Evans, the managing director, referred to additional orders that could be expected if this country joined the Common Market, and A is significant that the £300,000 order for the Birfield joint received in 1960 from the Lancia company of Turin, has recently been augmented by a further order of over £200.000. Birficld joints have also been supplied to Salisbury Transmission, Ltd., an associated company, for inclusion in a differential unit produced for the Volvo company.