A Useful Combination Tractor-tanker
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AN interesting articulated sixwheeled vehicle has recently been constructed by Fons, Ltd., of Sandbach, to the order o'South-Eastern Tar Distillers, Ltd., Canterbury, the tank. wagon unit being interchangeable with a separate trailing unit having a deepsided body.
The combination is highly suitable for tar distillers, who are often called upon to deliver large quantities of tar in bulk, as well as in separate barrels. For this purpose it is' more economical to use an articulated six-wheeler with two trailing units—one for bulk transport and the other for barrel-delivery work— thus providing a double-purpose vehicle, with one list of overhead charges.
In each case the attachment to the
prime-mover is the same' and is very simple. The removal of four bolts from the turn-table permits the trailing portion to be jacked up about 5 ins, and the tractor can then draw out, leaving the trailing portion supported on its own jacks, which are hinged and fixed to the framework. The same procedure applies to the tank trailing unit, a complete change-over taking only 30 minutes. This is a great advantage where delivery by tank, direct to the .spraying machines at work, is in force. As sometimes happens, the tank is
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filled for early-morning delivery to the road machines, and the weather is not 6tiitab1e for spraying; owing to rain. The tank wagon, instead of standing idle until the next day, can be converted and used for delivering barrels, thus keeping the wagon working full time.
A large heating coil is fixed inside the tank, through which steam passes from the boiler, heating the tar to a high temperature, which is necessary to ensure quick discharge. For the purpose of rapid filling of the tank, a very powerful horizontal duplex double-acting pump is mounted on a platform at the rear. Accessibility has been assured, so that the pump may be easily inspected and any adjustment be facilitated. The pump is driven from the boiler, working at 150 lb. pressure, and it can deliver tar at the rate of 4,500 gallons to 5,000 gallons per hour, so that the full tank can be entirely discharged in about 30 minutes.
In the course of a test, filling with water occupied 17 minutes. The main outlet is a 6-in, full-way valve, fixed under the tank at the rear, and for use -when barrels have to be filled two 2-in. cocks leading off the main valve are available.
Many railway tank wagons engaged in the transport of tar are fitted with inside coils ready to be coupled to the steam pipe of a steam boiler, and that is one more reason why the steamer is so suitable for the work of dealing with this commodity. The wagon boiler is able to supply sufficient steam for heating the tar in the tank, even when,. the vehicle is travelling on its journey, whilst, when stationary, only a small part of the boiler output is required.
The tank has a capacity of 2,200 gallons and is well lagged all over. The elliptical tank gives a very safe centre of gravity and a low overall height.