Boxing clever
Page 46
Page 47
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East Anglia has more than its fair share of horses, and from time to time ey need transporting. That's where horseboxes come in. Brian Wea erley reports on e lithe known art of eir manufacture
1. Since 1960 Oakley Coachbuilders have been supplying horseboxes from its workshops at Ware in Hertfordshire and Attleborough in Norfolk. Specifications vary a great deal, and prices range from (12,000 for a standard all woodenbodi;.!ci Benford chassis right op to £30 000 for this
fitti-..d Dodge horsebox.
2. Coach chassis am frequently used for the larger horseboNes Here a mahogany subfrarne is fiti ted to a Bedford YIVIT prior to its final cladding in 3. Bedford and Dodge
. chassis provide the bulk of Oakleys work although Renault is becoming pOpular. This secondhand Bedford has been fined with an aft-wooden body. After the StrUCttiral work is completed it will get its final four coats :i•.: of,AlafPiOiii'....:.si....•.-... horsebox are secured to the interior by locating holes in the floor and ceiling, and can be folded flush to the side wails for loading or cleaning. The top section is padded to protect the horse s neck when looking over .: the divider Ili,.. Although Oakieys offer a ."ariety of body types, cus4 .Orners have the final say. ....,:.ere feed bicis are fitted.:; onto an alurni:n*m.. floor,,:ti although.„:::4,b5.0r.::Or.c6conohmatting Over a wooden base could equally well be specified
6. Living quarters in the larger boxes include the fitting of the proverbial kit
t7' :chen sink, along with other ppliances like gas cookers. . Certain bodies need ad
• . itional access panels for t .".. easier engine maintenance, .,.'...:: while additional provision in *
the bodywork must be pro-.-.. vided for tilt cabs.
8. Hennessy Engineering of Woodbridge in Suffolk is another East Anglian horsebox builder also offering a full reconditioning service for either its own and other builders horseboxes.
9. The rear wooden valence has been replaced on this vehicle. Note the flaking varnish on the bodywork, where the weather has worked its way under the paintwork Hennessys will strip off the old layers and steam clean it down to the bare wood and then apply four coats of varnish.
10. Hennessys prefer to use an all-metal frame for their boxes, to prevent any flexing in the body and to stop bolts eating into the woodwork. All exposed metal will be wirebrushed and repainted, and the missing ventilator slat will be replaced.
11. Loading ramp springs have to be greased, and may need adjustment to ensure easy raising and lowering.
12. Here the two metal raves have been rebolted and those on the left replaced. These will then be covered with a wooden upright. Note also the replaced panels below According to Hennessys, this vehicle was in a slightly above average condition when it came to them.
13. Any rust on the chassis must be treated before it can be put in for an MoT test. Hennessys will also overhaul the engine and carry out any other mechanical work.
14. Fasteners on the interior dividers are replaced if they become loose, and any wood that the horses have gnawed will be renewed.