Equipping a Steam Wagon
Page 52
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as a Mobile Workshop 61 MOST interesting type of mobile workshop has .L
recently been delivered by the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., of Shrewsbury, to the Ceiriog Granite Co., Ltd.. which, as many of our readers may be aware, is a unit of the British Quarrying Co,, Ltd. The basis of the machine is a Sentinel four-wheeled chassis, on the platform of which is carried an Ingersoll-Rand air compressor and receiver for supplying air under pressure for operating rock drills, whilst, in addition, the wagon carries an oil furnace and drill-sharpening machine.
This particular steam wagon is equipped with a larger boiler than is used as standard, so that not only can it provide sufficient steam for the engine but it can give an ample supply to operate the compressor. We understand that the workshop is to be used in several quarries, moving from one to the other under its own power.
On arrival at a quarry the compressor is started up,
B34 and during the time that drilling is in progress the attendant " fettles " or repairs any drills which may require attention, also sharpening them, so that, although the wagon of which he is in charge may be stationary, he himself is not idle.
It is quite easy to see that such an outfit can effect considerable economies, since it obviates the necessity of installing air-compressor and drill-sharpening plant in each quarry where, owing to the intermittent nature of the work of drilling, they might be standing idle for long periods.
An additional advantage of the system here described is that the plant on the vehicle will be kept in good working order. In the case of machinery installed in sheds in quarries and used only at intervals, the ravages of climatic conditions are apt to be serious; it must be remembered that, in these circumstances, skilled operatives would not always be employed.
It will be seen from the accompanying illustrations that when the outfit is not actually in use, or when the wagon is travelling from one quarry to another, the sides of the body are lowered, thus giving complete protection to the plant which is carried. On the other hand, when the upper parts of the sides are raised they form extensions to the roof, whilst the lower portions increase the floor space at the sides, thus enabling the ,attendant to keep an eye on the working of the machinery and to carry out his work with ease.