PETROL-ELECTRIC MOBILE CRANES.
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Details of Two Machines which Facilitate the Handling of Heavy Articles.
1\{ANY visitors to the recent British Industries Fair at Birmingham were interested in a neat petrol-electric mobile crane employed by rickfords, Ltd., for the handling of the heavier exhibits, and which, This machine was manufactured by Ransornes and Rapier, Ltd., 32, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, and Waterside Works, Ipswich. It is not an entirely new device, having been first developed several years ago. In fact, many examples are already in service. Its utility is such, however, that it deserves particular mention. Actually, the crane, in which the Ionides system is employed, is built in two capacities, for 2-ton and 3i-ton loads, both these being calculated at a radius of 10 ft. 6 ins. from the fulcrum Pin. The 31-ton -Machine can supplied with a special snatch-block to permit ocCaidonal lifts. tip to 5 tons. .•Elach : ciano ".haittwo •large . road wheels at the, front, whilst the rear end Is supported by a ,two-wheeled castor by which both driving and steering are effeeted:. All the wheels are shod with solid rubber tyres. Mobility is one -of the leading features. In each case the driving castor Can be swung round so that the whole machine pivots, using the• front' axle as a fulcrum. They will practically travel wherever a petrol vehicle can go aliCin many other places, such as platforms, banks, etc., inaccessible to such a vehicle. A 6 ft. clear way is all that is necessary for the 2-ton model when travelling. In docks, these machines may be used over the quayside, for which purpose the hoisting drum accommodates sufficient rope to lower the hook 20 ft. below the quay level. If required, they can be employed as power shovels for dealing with loose material, such as coal sand, etc. The power unit is a four-cylindered petrol engine which drives a dynamo, the two being mounted as a unit on a sub-frame. One motor is employed for the drive to the castor wheels, and independent motors for the hoisting and derricking, motions. There ate selfsustaining electric brakes which, being of the solenoid type, are held "oft" by the current and automatically applied immediately the current ceases to flow. The control gear consists of an accelerator pedal for the engine and a switch for each of the three motions. Each switch has three positions, forward, neutral and reverse. All speed regulation is controlled by the accelerator pedal, as the engine idling speed is insufficient to excite the dynamo, and the pedal is merely depressed mita about 50 volts are indicated on the meter before any of the switches is engaged. The equipment includes a self-starter, dynamo and battery.Tags