Berna: Stand 25.
Page 13
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Three Examples are Staged of the Five-tonner, which Has so Good a Consumption Record.
The management of Berna Commercial Motors, Ltd., has left the .honour • of its company's produe-•tions to be upheld by representative examples of its five-ton model only, the exhibits comprising one chassis and two board-sided lorries, one of which is fitted with a Cape cart hood. The construction of these three exhibits is precisely the same. They comprise four-cylinder 40 h.p. engines, with all four cylinders cast separately, and with the valves arranged on the one side. The opposite side of the engine is left free for the accommodation of an enclosed type of magneto, and the centrifugal water pump, the whole being most accessible.
Front personal experience with these engines we know them to be remarkably efficient and capable of giving most-satisfactorily-low rates of petrol consumption under all conditions of loading. We see that this company has adopted a sturdy form of leather-faced cone clutch,
lvilich is so arranged that the main member may readily be dismounted for relining without the necessity for disturbing other parts of the chassis.. The gearbox, too, is well worthy of note, particularly so for its ample proportions and 'un
usually-large inspection • cover. Practically the whole of the contents of this box may be exposed, and a considerable amount of work done in the way of renewals, adjustments, repairs, etc., without necessitating the complete removal of the box. The drive from the gearbox is transmitted from a universally-jointed cardan shaft to a differential countershaft which is carried at the tail end of perch bars, and the final drive to the road wheels is through the medium of spur pinions and internally-toothed racks_ The footbrake gear on this wagon is obviously designed with a view to the machine being used in hilly districts. The class of brake is that known as the locomotive type, and is provided with cast-iron shoes, which, when worn, may be replaced at very small cost and in a very short time ; the lever system gives a notably-large mechanical advantage, thus providing a most efficient, yet smooth, brake. In addition to the footbrake on the countershaft, there are a pair of large-diameter band wheel-brakes
The general view of the chassis, which is painted white, gives one the impression of undue weight, but this is more apparent than real, as the parts. whilst enormously strong, have been so carefully disposed as to present an exceptionally-strong chassis which turns the scale at a reasonable weight. Both the wagons exhibited are smartlooking machines, and suited to the general purposes of hauliers and.. cartage contractors, with which class of user the Berna Co. has had a unique experience. The 70 cwt. 30 h.p. model is not on view.