Where a Low Load-line is Invaluable.
Page 25
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TN AN article which appeared in our .1-issue dated November 18th a last year we dealt with the Narious types of motor vehicle and trailer used by one of the foremost glass manufacturers in the country for the transport of fragile and expensive plates of sheet-glass. Where exceptionally large plates have to be carried it is common practice to fix them on a special type of frame disposed, as a rule, on the near side, but beyond the body width proper, leaving the platform or interior, if an enclosed body be used, for carrying smaller panes.
One of the reasons for this procedure is that the centre of gravity is reduced, for the bottom of the frame is often carried to within a few inches of the ground, but, although the glass can be held perfectly rigid in this position, it is, perhaps, more liable to damage. 'Wherever possible, therefore, it would seem a better and a safer proposition to carry large sheets of glass within a body containing suitable side frames, especially if a chassis with a low loadline can be used and the overall height thus reduced.
This problem of height is important, for it has a distinct connection with the general working efficiencY of the vehicle. The higher the load and the greater the area presented to the direction of travel the larger the degree of wind resistance which has to be overcome, and this factor can readily affect both speed and fuel consumption. A chassis which possesses outstanding claims for this particular sphere of service is the S.D. Freighter, because one of its chief features is a low load-line. Although the standard production of Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., of Letchworth—the makers of this unusual type of vehicle—might be deemed to possess a rear track (on the ordinary chassis it is but 3 ft. 6 ins., and less than that of the front wheels) which would be insufficient to ensure the utmost stability when carrying exceptionally tall bodies, it can readily be increased when special vehicles are built for transporting sheetglass and similar high loads.
An instance is to be found in the case of the vehicle illustrated on this page, which has just been delivered by the makers to T. and W. Farmiloe, Ltd. It has been so designed that it can carry large sheets of plate glass within the body, and, in order to obtain the necessary stability, the rear track has been increased to 5 ft. 8 ins., with the result, we are informed, that the machine is as
stable as one of the company's standard chassis with a load at normal height. The body possesses an all-round usefulness. It is built in two sections, the lower portion consisting of a fixed-sided lorry body, upon which the glass-carrying structure is mounted, and the letter is so secured that it can readily be detached when an ordinary load is to be carried. The body, it should be added, was designed by Messrs. Shelvoke and Drewry in collaboration with Messrs. Farmiloe and was built by Messrs. Nicholls and Son, of Bedford. It is capable of dealing with sheets of glass 14 ft. long and 11 ft. wide.
The frames (one on each side) are built in the usual way with a number of slantine' battens, against which the glass rests, and, to reduce vibration and possible damage, these are padded with strips of felt. The top of the structure is protected by a loose cover, stretched over the centre and side members, which is secured over hooks on the vertical
It will be noted from one of our pietares that the front of the body above the driver's canopy is not of solid construction, but is composed of a series of shutters, or louvres, which materially assist in reducing wind resistance.