The Latest Horsebox Development.
Page 74
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TNEPROVEMENTS are constantly being made in horseboxes, and there is an ever increasing demand for this class of vehicle, which has proved such an efficient, reliable and rertain means for transporting valuable horses. Even journeys of considerable length are now being undertaken by road, as the animals can be driven right up to the course and thus suffer the minimum of inconvenience and danger.
One of the most popular horseboxes is the Morris-Curtis, in which the Morris-Commercial 30-cwt, chassis is employed, whilst the body is provided by the Curtis Automobile Co.
A new de luxe two-horse box has recently been produced, and this embodies certain importantimprovements over previous models. The maindifference between this and the MorrisCurtis standard model is that a separate groom's compartment is provided. The general arrangement of the box can easily be seen from the illustrations which we include.
At the near side is a patent drop ramp, which has already been described in this journal, the main point in the construction being that the side which forms the ramp is extended some depth below the floor level, but when the side is down the inner em] of the ramp is lifted to its level, thus giving an easy gradient of approximately one in three. The ramp is spring-controlled and provided with safety gates, the latter having drop V flaps.
The framing of the body is constructed of Vicker's Duralumin and it
is only through the saving in weight resulting from the employment of this material that it is possible to mount such a completely equipped box on a chassis of this load capacity.
The horses are carried tail foremost and the usual breast straps and detachable mangers are provided. If desired, the stalls can he shut off from the groom's compartment.
Special attention has been given to the question of adequate ventilation
and drainage. The interior of the vehicle is illuminated, and there is an electric-bell signalling device between the driver's compartment and the -groom's compartment.
The padding is very ample, extending almost to the floor, which is covered with coconut matting.
As the result of the employment of a special hinged portion of the partition
between the driver's compartment and the stalls, this partition does not interfere with loading and unloading, whilst there is ample room for passengers in the front seats. A locker is provided above the driver's head, and the window at the driver's right can be lowered to facilitate backing the vehicle.
Thisbox, complete with equipment and finish, is marketed at £750.