A "Cross Country" Fork Truck
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AFORK-LIFT truck, which transported a 30-cwt. load over artificial obstacles '6 ins, high, and can be taken over unmade roads and across country with impunity, was demonstrated at Wallington, Surrey, last week.
Known as the Matbro Prieustac, its basic components are Fordson Major industrial units, although the 'alternative of a Perkins P6 oil engine is given in place of the Fordson four-cylindered 36 h.p. petrol engine. The gearbox, driven axle and steering units are, however, common to both models, the steering unit being suitably modified, as the truck steers through the rear wheels.
The straight main frame is built up of 6-in. by 3-in, steel channel, the whole structure being braced by the power and transmission units, The steering-axle beam is flame-cut from solid steel; it is pivoted at its centre and located by two radius rods mounted so as to provide for a lift of 6 ins, on either wheel.
Coupled and compensated Bendix brakes are fitted, the hand brake being _ of the push-on type. Heavy-gauge steel plate embraces the engine and radiator, the ballast weights being accommodated behind the skirt of the rear cowling.
Both sides of the engine are made readily accessible by lifting hinged covers, whilst the whole of the power and transmission units can be reached in a' few minutes by removing machine screws holding the cover plates.
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All lifting and tilting operations are carried out hydraulically, the controls being mounted on the left of the driver, as is the hand-brake lever. The driver sits with his legs on each side of the gear lever.
The pressure developed in the hydraulic system. for a 2-ton lift is about 850 lb. per sq. in., the capacity of the oil pump being 5 gallons per minute. The Pneustac can lift its maximum load of 2 tons to a height of 9 ft. at 1 ft. 6 ins, from the heel of the •fork in 20 sees. Rearward tilt is 10 degrees from the vertical, and forward tilt, 3 degrees.
The usual practice is to pivot the hydraulic carriage at the bottom, the hydraulic tilting ram taking effect above this point. In the Pneustac the carriage has its pivotal point above the hydraulic gear. The carriage is thus pivoted directly on to the substantial main frame instead of to a dropped extension of it. The forks, which are steel forgings, are mounted on a steel bar, along which they can be moved to give a limited adjustment for width.
The following are the leading dimensions and weights of the 'different models; — 45/9/D (Perkins engine), 45/9/P (petrol engine), width, 5 ft.; 45/9/DH (Perkins engine, twin rear wheels), 45/9/PR (petrol engine, twin rear wheels), width, 6 ft.; all models, wheelbase, 6 ft. 11 ins.; all models, ground clearance, 6 ins.; 45/9/D and 45/9/PH, unladen weight, 7,200 lb.; 45/9/DH, unladen weight, 7,500 lb.; 45/9/P, 6,900 lb. Electric starting is provided on all models. The machine which "The Commerciaf Motor" saw demonstrated was fitted with a Perkins P6 oil engine. and is one of three to be Shown at the forthcoming Mechanical Handling Exhibition at OlyinPla. The first test was concerned with, the picking up and loading on to a lorry of a number of reels of kraft, each weighing 151 cwt.
Then followed a test which showed that the maker had complete faith in his product. A reel of kraft weighing .1 ton 10 cwt. was picked out, and the truck taken over a very rough track to the "testing" ground.
The truck was first driven over grassland, successfully surviving numerous pot-holes. It was then driven in reverse down a grass bank, the gradient of which was probably I in 6. Stopping and starting tests were carried out on this gradient, and although the wheels slipped on one occasion, the climb was successfully accomplished.
Later the truck, still carrying its load, was taken over a 6-in, sleeper, which it negotiated without hesitation.
It is understood that the petrolengined model with single tyres-on the driven axle will sell for £950 and the oil-engined model for £1,300. The makers are Messrs. Mathew Bros., Sandy Lane North, Wallington, Surrey.