Two Men Load a Ton a Minute
Page 37
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AREMARKABLE demonstration in rapid loading and unloading of a 101-ton indivisible load by a driver and mate with no other equipment than the winch fitted to their lorry, was staged by the Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd., in London last week. The vehicle used for this demonstration was a Commer-Unipower under-floorengined six-wheeled tractor, modified to incorporate the Unipower bogie and coupled to a self-loading semi-trailer, which has been developed and constructed by the British Trailer Co., Ltd., Trafford Park, Manchester.
The Commer-Unipower tractor equipped with Garwood winch was first described in "The Commercial Motor" dated April 15, 1949, The Commer 7-ton chassis as modified by Universal Power Drives, Ltd., Perivale, Middlesex, has reinforced side members to the frame, a large vacuum servo brake unit and transfer box fitted, and winch gear supplied with full-power operation. The tractor has a B.T.C.-pattern fifthwheel and a self-loader tail roller.
The tractor and semi-trailer unit have been constructed to conform to the Nigerian regulations of 7 ft. 6 ins, for the width and a maximum of 5 tons axle loading. A trunnion-mounted bogie is fitted to the semi-trailer to fulfil the latter regulation when fully loaded.
When loading during the demonstration, the semi-trailer was detached from the tractor and the front lowered to the ground by the tractor winch cable. The tractor was then driven to the rear of the semi-trailer, and the load winched up the inclined plane formed by the angle of the unit and secured in position. This operation occupied 10 minutes, the task being completed by the driver and mate without further assistance or tackle. The operation is reversed when unloading.
Another vehicle demonstrated at the same time was a Commer-Unipower oilfield platform truck, which has been modified to the same specification as the tractor. This platform truck is a rigid six-wheeler with special equipment to winch loads from the ground on to the platform body.
In winching the load over the rear of the vehicle, the weight caused the front to rise to form an inclined plane of approximately 30 degrees where the point of balance was reached. As the load was furthet winched on to the platform the front gradually settled to the ground again. This vehicle is equipped with gin poles, which can be erected in the form of a crane.
Other special features include special protective framework over the winch, known as the "headache" rack, bolster rail, and an A-piece to assist in the formation of the gin poles as a crane. A steel roller across the rear of the body is provided to assist the loading and unloading operations.
There is also a socket in the centre of the body floor, which forms a pivot for attaching the swivel bolster when the vehicle is employed in conjunction with a pole trailer to carry long lengths of pipe. This vehicle, which has been constructed for the Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd., has been developed and built by W. J. Reynolds Motors, Ltd., of Dagenham.
These two vehicles have been built for operation in Nigeria, where heavy and difficult loads often have to be handled in places difficult of access. Labour in this area is scarce and untrained, and crane equipment is not available.