A RIGID-FRAME SIX-WHEELED TANK WAGON.
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A Type of Vehicle Used in Germany for the Bulk Conveyance of Motor Spirit.
A LTHOUGH British makers of tank iwagons for the bulk conveyance of ' motor spirit may have little to learn from foreign manufacturers of such vehicles, it is always instructive to know how certain transport problems are dealt with in other countries. In Germany one of the leading concerns devoting attention to the construction of tank wagons is the Martini and Huneke Maschinenbau Gesellschaft, of 122, Wilr helmstr ass e, Berlin, S.W.48, to which we sire indebted for the accompanying illustration of a vehicle it has lately completed for the Deutsche Gasolin Aktien-Gesellschaft, of the same city, the refiners and distributors of the motor spirit known as Motalin.
The Martini and Huneke Co. confines
itself to the construction dnd supply of the tank portion 'of the vehicle and its• mechanism, the choice of the chassis being entirely a matter for the user. In this case it will be seen that 'the vehicle
is of thoroughly up-to-date design, consisting of one of the latest Bussing rigidframe six-wheeled chassis, the wheels of which are shod with giant pneumatic tyres.
Although the salient details of the chassis are standard, certain modifica tions have been made in order that the tank wagon shall conform with the rules and regulations which have been laid down by the German Government in con nection with the bulk transport of Motor spirit. These require, inter aim, that the exhaust outlet must be located on the forward side of the division between the driver's seat and the tank, the posi tion usually adopted being below the radiator; that in order to reduce the risk of motor spirit finding its way from the tank, as the result of a possible rear axle breakage and sudden dropping of the back of the vehicle, the rear-frame construction must coneprise an exterision to form, in such circumstances, a sufficiently strong supporting leg.
The regulations also provide for a limit to the capacity of the tank or
tanks. on any vehicle, and this must not
exceed 8,000 litres (about 1,760 gallons), whilst not more than one trailer of a similar capacity can be hauled. Another requirement is the use of a fireproof par
tition between the driver's seat.and the tank, extending downwards to within 10 ins, of the ground.
For the lighting of the vehicle at night only electricity may be used, whilst means must be provided for " earthing " the tank casing, thus furnishing an out let for any electric current generated. All tank wagons must be equipped with a portable fire-extinguisher.
In addition to the foregoing indirect safety-securing provisions, the regulations call for a number of other special requirements to be met. Thus all the pipes connecting up to the tank must he provided with flame-resisting fittings. For the most part these consist of wiregauze screen, as used in the Davy safety lamp, fitted in the inlet of the various pipes, which are also furnished with shut-off cocks. Similar gauzes are fitted in conjunction with the tank-contents indicators and the air vent pipes, whilst in connection with the air vent supports several small sandboxes are used. Special arrangements are also adopted in conjunction with the mounting of the tank on the chassis in order to reduce so far as possible the transmission to the tank of any road shocks sustained by the chassis.
In the ease of the vehicle we illustrate, which embodies features conforming with all the official requirements, the tank is divided into two compartments, each having a capacity of 770 gallons. The filling of the tanks is effected by means of a large handoperated suction pump mounted at the rear of the chassis, whilst the liquid is drawn off by gravity through lowmounted hose couplings at the rear.
Each of the tanks is fitted with an indicator giving the amount of fuel in them, whilst it will be noticed that along each side of the tank is a gallery or rack on which petrol in tins can be carried. The vehicle is also fitted with hooks for the attachment of a trailer, whilst, to prevent any possible chance of running back on hills, a double-armed sprag is provided,