New " Built-in " Producer-gas Bus
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A SINGLE-DECK bus, with a seat ing capacity of 35, and incorporating a " built-in " producer-gas plant, has jest been completed by the Tilling organization. A point of main interest is that the chassis—a Bristo1-7 has been modified in a number of basic respects to render it suitable. for running on solid fuel as a self-contained unit without sacrifice of pay-load apace. • Having an overall length of 30 ft. instead of the standard 27 ft. 6 ins., the chassis has been 'lengthened in respect of the main frame by 2 ft. gins, and of the wheelbase by I, ft. Neither overhang nor turning circle exceeds the relevant limit imposed by existing regulations.
Stronger springs are used all round and those at the front have been lengthened. The latter alteration was necessary, because the engine—an adapted Gardner six-cylindered unit— has been brought 6 ins. forward.
Fitted into the rear of the chassis, the producer is readily detachable for servicing. The coolers are placed under the frame, the Eastern National filter on the near side and. the water separator near the bonnet. On the roof are mounted the tuyere cooling tanks. The gas plant is that which has been developed by the /Tilling engineers from the basic " Emergency " design.• -With regard to the body-work, this has been built to war-time specification, and a feature is that the new Eastern Coach Works patent process has been used in the window glazing. In addition to other practical advantages, this system affords slightly more space inside the saloon. Full insulation is provided for the producer compartment to obviate fire risk and possibly the escape of fumes, asbestos sheeting being 'used.
Among other technical details may be named the inclusion of a five-Speed gearbox, and the use of an axle ratio of 6 to I and a compression ratio of
11 to I. The hopper is 22 ins, in diameter and carries 4i cwt. of anthracite.