Minor Changes in E.R.F. Range
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QEVEN models will be displayed by E.R.F., Ltd., on their own stand at the Commercial Motor Show, whilst there will be five more on bodybuilders' stands. Although the examples to be exhibited will not differ, greatly from existing designs, slight modifications have been made, since the 1958 Show, mainly affecting the cab, braking and suspension system.
A new cab of moulded plastics panels on a timber framework has been developed, although this does not differ appreciably in appearance from the cab formerly employed. A feature of it, however, is that all front panelling from below the waist, and both front wings, are made in one piece. Slight fairing has been incorporated along the front wings, whilst the cab sides are a little more bowed than previously. Paired headlamps are standard.
Two of the eight-wheelers will have a new form of dual braking system. This consists of an air-operated rear-bogie circuit which includes a protection valve to seal off the circuit in the event of air failure, whilst the front-bogie brakes are Girling hydraulic units actuated through a new type of Westinghouse servo.
The advantages of this system are that hydraulically operated disc brakes may be used on the front wheels, whilst, in the event of air-pressure failure, the driver retains a certain amount of control over the front brakes, The system is also said to have quick reaction characteristics.
Disc front brakes will be seen on on of the eight-wheelers, and vehicles With disc units on the front axles have already been built by E.R.F., Ltd.. and have been supplied to Girling, Ltd. This equipment can be fitted to the front wheels of e-24 any vehicle in the current range at extra cost.
For several years the rear suspension of certain E.R.F. four-wheelers has incorporated Aeon rubber helper springs, which are now used on the front axles of certain models, including eight wheelers. In the latter case the Aeon rubbers are fitted at the leading axles only, and in this way it has been possible to use identical semi-elliptic springs on both the axles of the front bogie.
Another innovation to be seen on one of the exhibits will be an Eaton 18800 two-speed axle with Girling cam-operated 15.5-in. by 7-in. brakes. This axle will he on a 54.0 four-wheeler and will be o'ne of the first examples of an Eaton two-speed axle with cam brakes.
There will be three eight-wheelers on the E.R.F. stand. One of these will have a set-back front bogie, so that it could have operated at 28 tons gross had the Construction and Use Regulations been amended to permit it. This example has a Gardner 6LX oil engine and carries a 90-barrel beer tank. A 6LX engine powers a second eight-wheeler exhibit, whilst the third eight-wheeler is a 28-tongross export tipper with Rolls-Royce 200b.h.p. oil engine and 10-speed gearbox.
A six-wheeled tipper based on a 56.0SF semi-forward-control chassis is to be exhibited. This has a Gardner 5LW oil engine, and a similar unit powers the four-wheeler with cam-braked Eaton axle. The two remaining exhibits on the E.R.F. stand will be a 64.GX 24-tongross tractive unit with 6LX engine, and a 44.0 model with Gardner 4LW oil engine and Bonallack Pneumajector blown-discharge cement tank.
There will be two 6LX-engined eightwheelers on bodybuilders' stands. One is a tipper to be shown by Edbro-B. and E. Tippers, Ltd., and the other an insulated van designed for pallet loading.
The other E.R.F.s are all fourwheelers, One is a 6LW-powered tractive unit to be shown with a Four-in-Line semi-trailer by the British Trailer Co., Ltd., and the other two are LKG.44 vehicles. One of them will be displayed as a furniture van by J. H. Jennings and Son, Ltd., and the other as a platform truck by Holmes (Preston), Ltd.