The Flexion Six-wheeler
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Conversion Set in Improved Form
that improvements have been made in the set, in spite of which, however, the price has not been,increased. Taking the Chevrolet 30-cwt. chassis, for example, the conversion can be carried out completely for £101 10s., or £6 extra with Dewandre vacuumservo operation. Without brakes on the trailing axle the price is £87 10s., not that many users would require a six-wheeler with only four-wheel brakes.
As the Chevrolet is one of the most popular makes for conversion in this manner, we will refer particularly to it ; it is, of course, understood that Ford and other 30-cwt. chassis can be simi larly dealt with. With the trailing axle the converted Chevrolet carries a pay load of 3 tons. The wheelbase to bogie centre is 12 ft. 54, ins., the bogie wheelbase being 2 ft. 1 in. This gives a loading space 14 ft. long.
In the conversion about 75 per cent. of the parts used are standard Chevrolet components, so that maintenance is greatly simplified. The same forms of extension and suspension as described in our original article are employed, the standard axle case, containing the half
shafts, being used for the trailing wheels. The inner ends Of the halfshafts are held in ball-races in an aluminium block.
An additional frame cross-member is now fitted, to which, by means of a vertical rod and two trunnion joints, a strong torque member in the form of a triangular steel plate is attached. Two other cross-members are fitted further aft. The channel-sectioned liner connecting the main frame with the extension is 5 ft. 5 ins, long, the extension itself having a length of 4 ft. 6 ins.
Another improvement, one which brings the outfit into line with the latest Chevrolet practice, is the fitting of the new type of Chevrolet brake drum on each trailing wheel. This contains two pairs of self-energizing shoes, the pair intended for hand-lever actuation being inoperative.
The arm by which the foot-brake cross-shaft is turned is linked up by rods and levers to a cross-shaft at the rear, arms on which are connected to the brake-cam spindles of the trailing wheels by a rod on each side. Each of these rods has two sets in it, but is stoutly made to withstand the load. The rear cross-shaft is free to float sideways.
There is no change in the suspension, the longitudinal balancer arms being made as before with two -I-in. steel plates, separated by an oak filler. The cast shackle at the rear end of each balancer arm measures 8 ins, between pin centres, that at the front measuring 3 ins. The front end of each spring is anchored to the frame, the frame being supported by the bogie at six points as before, and the springs are standard Chevrolet parts. The fulcrum bearing for each balancer arm contains two radial and one thrust ball-race,'the arms being steadied by lubricated rubbing plates.