A Two-purpose Tractor-trailer Outfit A RECENT outstanding delivery of Harrier
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Motors, Ltd., Luton, is a double-purpose Cob Senior 6-ton tractor-trailer outfit, supplied through Rootes, Ltd., to the Crown Agents for the Colonies. Embodying several novel features, this outfit is for service in Ceylon and has been specially designed to haul cable drams, or, alternatively, poles of different lengths . for supporting overhead wires.
The low-loading and tipping cabledrum trailer has an ingenious method of suspension. There are four semielliptic springs, two along each side, located between the upper and lower frame members, and these are pivoted to the frame at their extremities ,and shackled at their centre to a freely swinging balance beam, designed so as to "afford free axle motion.
This arrangement serves a two-fold object, because, apart from ensuring that the platform remains level when the vehicle is operating under crosscountry conditions, it oilers a simple means for tipping.
A suitably geared winch is fitted tothe platform above the retractable forecarriage, which assists in dealing with bulky loads. For loading purposes the winch cable is passed under the pulley at the front end of the trailer and attached to the cable drum, the for
ward movement of winding tilting the loading platform—which incorporates steel guiding strips—to an inclination of about 1 in 18: The tailboard can also be lowered to form a ramp. The platform returns to its normal position when the cable is slacked off.
A noteworthy feature of the polecarrying "trailer is the provision of an. adjustable rear bolster, which enables poles of various lengths to be accommodated. To compensate for this variation in length, a drum-and-ratchet device is incorporated in the brakecable layout, . by virtue of which retardation is afforded whatever the degree of extension,