Brasier Industrial Machines in England.
Page 13
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This well-known concern emphasized its business intentions in this country by having staged three distinct types of models at the recent Olympia Show. The English interests of the Tvry-Port establishment are being managed in this country by the Societe des Automobiles Brasier, 77-8, High Street, Marylebone, London, W., to which offices we recently paid a visit for the purpose of familiarizing ourselves with the new models. At the time of our visit, however, only one of these had arrived at the showrooms, the remaining two machines to be exhibited being still at the dock-side. We, however, saw them at Olympia.
The Two-ton Model.
The particular model which we were able to inspect, and of which we reproduce below a photograph taken outside the showrooms, is designed to carry useful loads of up to 2 tons. This is fitted with an engine capable of developing 12 b.h.p., the bore and stroke of the cylinders being 70 mm. and 130 mm. respectively. The four cylinders are east en bloc, and the valves, all of which are interchangeable, are. disposed on one side of the engine, the tappet clearance being capable of adjustment. For excluding grit and other objectionable, foreign matter the valve-spring mechanism is wholly enclosed in readily-detacnable covers. We noticed a series of small holes drilled high up in the cover plates, the reason of those being, we were informed, to prevent oxidization of the parts enclosed in an otherwise air-tight cover.
Well-conceived Engine Details.
The well-designed top cylinder cover forming a clear water run to the radiator inlet, as well as the large-diameter inlet pipe leading to the bottom of the cylinders, conveyed the impression that the thermosyphon arrangements for water circulation had received careful consideration on this model.
The lubrication calls for particular mention. A mechanical lubricator mounted on the dashboard high up under the bonnet is accommodated with six plungers provided with oil leads to the main crankshaft bearings and gearbox, and an additional lead to the engine crankcase. The lead we have just mentioned is under foot control, so that when the vehicle is negotiating a long incline, to prevent an excess of oil's being pumped into the crankcase, the plunger can be thrown out of action by means of a very small pedal located between the clutch and brake foot levers. We might add that a filter is located in each plunger, and that the large oil filler in the lubricator itself is provided with a large-size filter. The big ends, of course, are lubricated by the splash system, suitable troughs being provided into which the big ends dip.
Different from the ordinarily accepted practice on medium-powered eommereial vehicles, this maker fits an engine governor which cuts the inlet gases out when the speed of the vehicle exceeds 10 m.p.h. A foot accelerator was not fitted on the model under our observation, a finger lever for operating the throttle -working on a quadrant fitted to the steering wheel in the usual manner. A four-bladed fan mounted on an aluminium bracket attached to the sides of the radiator was also a feature, Chain-driven Camshaft.
The latest Bosch waterproof type of magneto is fitted. This is driven, as is the camshaft, by means of a Coventry silent chain suitably enclosed in an oil
tight casing. The ignition is fixed, it being considered by this maker, and we may add also by many others, that this is too delicate a piece of mechanism to be left in the hands of unskilled drivers.
The carburetter inlet pipe is exhaust-heated by means of a suitable jacket clipped around the main exhaust pipe.
The Shock-absorbing Clutch.
The spring take-up psi:Aided in the leather-to-metal cone clutch is yet .another detail which will not only appeal to users of utility machines but also to designers. The female portion of the clutch consists of a hardened steel ring fitted inside the flywheel. This ring is provided with three tongues cut at equidistant points round its interim! periphery. These tongues being machined solid with the rings, act in unison as a. very satisfactory spring take-up when the clutch is engaged.
A four-speed gearbox is mounted on the same subframe as the engine ; all the speeds are positive]y interlocked and are operated by means of a very compact form of gate change, the sate quadrant is also provided with self-locking mechanism for each gear.
The Rear of the Chassis.
The transmission of power to the road wheels is by means of roller side chains, stout radius rods being fitted which allow a ready means for chain adjustment. Ample braking power is provided, the. foot-operated brake taking effect on the differential shaft by means of -a, contracting steel band and ca.st-iron segments, large diameter drums, mounted on the rear wheels and fitted with expanding shoes, acting as a handoperated brake. The road wheels are mounted on plain phosphorbronze bearings and local pockets inside the hub castings serve as reservoirs for suitable lubricating medium. The substantially built wooden wheels are accommodated with 850 mm. by 85 mm. rubber tires. A large-size platform type of body was mounted or the rolled-channel frame of themodel we inspected.
Altogether this model is a typical example of Brasier developments, and whilst taking a short run on the machine through traffic the acceleration of the engine was found to be all that could be desired.
Also Staged at Olympia.
The company staged a particularly useful form of light delivery van built to carry a load of 10 cwt. This was fitted with a box-van type of body painted in. a very attractive colour, the transmission of this model being by means of bevel and live axle. The wheels were shod with pneumatic tires, the size being 815 aim, by 105 min. These were fitted on Warland dual rims. This machine should be particularly suitable for the delivery of millinery, dress-making and other goods of a similarly light. nature. The third exhibit consisted of a Brasier lorry chassis designed to carry loads up tot_ tons. This was fitted with a. four-speed gearbox operated by gate change, the final drive being by means of side D' chains. The tire sizes on this model are 900 mrrby 120 mm. fronts, and twin rear of the same dimensions.