New Features in a Cattle Carrier
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ANIMALS of different types vary so much in size that their transport by road calls for the incorporation of special features in a vehicle intended for this purpose. For instance, a body built primarily for the carriage of cattle could scarcely be loaded to its full economic limit with sheep. The Spenborough Engineering Co., of Heckmondwike, Yorks, has recently constructed a special cattle-carrying body which has been designed by the company in collaboration with the owner, Mr. Challenor, of Nantwich, Cheshire, and it possesses a number of sound and interesting features.
In this design the leading characteristic is a second deck which can be raised or lowered by likens of a hand winch. The size of the main or fixed deck is 12 ft. long by 6 ft. 6 ins, wide, and the lifting deck is normally only 7 ft. 6 ins, long. It is, however, pro vided at the rear with a door which can be folded down to extend the upper deck to the full length of the body. In this position it can be used for carrying small pigs or lambs, and provision is made to separate these from the animals which would occupy the rest of that deck.
On the other hand, if this door be fixed in its vertical position there is a space on the main deck sufficient to carry two beasts. Two cross-bearers are provided to keep these animals in place across the lorry and to prevent -them from bumping against one another. With this arrangement the normal upper deck and a similar space beneath it are available for sheep or pigs.
The lifting floor may also be hoisted right up to the tep of the body, where it forms a roof and leaves the whole of the lower deck available for large beasts.
In order to assist in loading, the tail door, which is stoutly built and provided with cross-battens, can be folded down and used as a ramp, up which the animals can be driven between side rails. When sheep or other small animals are to be loaded, the lifting deck is dropped down to its lowest position and the animals are driven up the ramp on to it. They are then penned in and that deck, complete with its load, is raised by means of the winch.