Conversion Increases Body
Page 31
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Length by 4 ft.
%VP-1EN he was transport manager of Coatbridge Co-operaIT live Society, Mr. A. Prentice, M.B.E., A.M.Inst.T.. converted a normal-control Albion to forward control, to enable it to carry 80 1-cwt. bags of coat without piling, and to provide space for two loaders, in addition to the driver, in the cab. Mr. Prentice has since become transport manager of St. Cuthberes'Co-operative Association, Edinburgh. and has made a similar conversion, for that Association, of an Albion KLI27 5f-tonner. The object of the latest conversion is similar to that of the earlier one, but the general appearance of the vehicle has also been greatly improved.
The work has been carried out entirely in the Association's workshops, and involved the fitting of a stepped extension to the front dumb irons to carry a low-floored forward cab, the back of which is approximately in line with the position of the radiator on the original forward-control chassis. The engine is behind the cab and projects slightly through the extended platform, being covered by a strong box structure. The body length has been extended from 15 ft. 6 ins. to 19 ft. 6 ins.
The cylinder heads may easily be reached by temoving the cover, but for complete access to the engine, the front portion of the platform can be withdrawn, together with the rear sweep of the front wings. The forward body crossbearer is duplicated at the point where the rear of the detachable portion meets the front of the fixed section. An extension shaft at the front of the engine carries the fan at its forward end, and the starting handle engages with a dog at the end of that shaft. The gear lever works on an extra ball joint in the cab, in tandem with the hall joint on the gearbox lid. The hand-brake lever has been transferred from the off side to the centre of the cab, so that the driver may enter and leave comfortably. The original conversion was fully described and illustrated in the issue of "The Commercial Motor" dated June 15, 1945.