Unusual Features in a Dual-purpose Municipal Motor
Page 41
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THERE are several channels of municipal activity, particularly in comparatively small districts, in which it is not found possible to give full-time employment to a specific type of motor vehicle or appliance. It is for this reason that certain manufacturers specializing in the production of such machines have turned their attention to the construction of dual-purpose and multi-purpose appliances, thus enabling the costs of operation to be spread over a longer working period.
A problem that has recently been conjointly attacked by Hucknall Urban District Council and Dennis Brothers, Ltd., of Guildford, has resulted in the production of an unusually Interesting dual-purpose vehicle.
The requirements of the Hucknall authorities called for a machine which could be used as a tipping vehicle for the collection of house refuse and as a tank wagon for dealing with night-soil, the out being required to replace horses and carts. Financial exigencies prevented the realization of the council's need until the ingenious design of vehicle which is illustrated on this page was produced.
The basis of the machine is a Dennis 80-cwt. chassis, shod with 33-in. by 5-in. pneumatic tyres, twins being used on the rear wheels. A galvanized steel body of unusual construction is em ployed. In one of the pictures the vehicle is shown ready for use for collecting night-soil and, in place of the
customary tailboard or rear—doors, it will be seen that the floor of the body rises through a quadrant to the level of the top of the sides, an arrangement that overcomes the possibility of leakage through half-closed cocks or similar fittings.
The cover for the body is firmly secured at each side by six hand-screws, whilst there are four screws at both the front and the rear, an effective seal between the cover and the main part of the body being obtained by the use of a thick rubber joint.
Equipped for Nightwork.
When being employed for night-soil collection the body is filled from the rear through two hinged doors in the lid, this being at a height convenient for discharging the contents of the pails. The work is further facilitated by the fitting of an electric lamp, which is so arranged as to illuminate the openings. For discharging the contents, the body can be elevated by hand-operated gear to an angle of 60 degrees, which is said to be sufficient to effect complete evacuation. For day-time use the machine Is readily convertible into a house-refust, collector, so that its duties, if circumstances require it, can be almost continuous, thus making, for the tutmost economy.
The first stage in. carrying out the conversion consists of flushing out this body with a jet of water, after which the hand-screws are released, and the cover removed. Segmental plates, which are fitted by lowering their vertical battens into sockets on the body, are then added, these serving to increase the height at the front and rear ends. A transverse hoop is then fitted in the centre of the body and the ridge pole and canvas covers fitted. The capacity of the body is thus increased to 41cubic yds., a convenient size for the work of refuse collection.
In the detail illustration which we publish the body is shown in the tipped position, with the rear segmental plate removed, and it shows how the ridge pole is supported from its front end and at the centre, the rear part of the canvas covering being rolled up to enable the contents to be shot clear.