Automatic chassis cleaner
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by David Spain • An automatic chassis cleaner was demonstrated at Leyton (LTB) bus garage on Wednesday. It has been developed jointly by Jaco Engineering Developments Ltd., of Edwards Road. Erdington, Birmingham, and the LTB. The National Research and Development Corporation has shown considerable interest in the project and has provided financial support.
The chassis is cleaned by two high-pressure jets of cold water—no detergent being necessary—delivered at a pressure of 350 lbs p.s.i. An oscillating nozzle head mounted on a swinging arm assembly delivers the cold water, the whole unit travelling slowly beneath the vehicle. The water is delivered by a compressed air supply of 80Ib psi. and the cleaning time is approximately 1ft length of chassis per minute using about 450ga1 of water. A 440 three-phase supply is required for the water pump and electrical control gear. The basic cleaner retails at £2,000, or £2,700 if automatic program ming for different lengths of vehicle is incor porated. Two advantages of the Jaco cleaner compared with a steam cleaner are that it is mounted on the floor, dispensing with a pit or hydraulic ramp, and that it is fully automatic. The Jaco cleaner will give a high standard of cleanliness, sufficient for a p.ss. or MoT inspection every time.
London Transport has 15 automatic cleaners on order and others have been sold to professional chassis cleaners at home and abroad.