The Lacre Co.' s Heaviest Models—Particularly About the One for Five-ton Loads.
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'file new Lacre factory, at Letchworth, was described in our issue of the f2th of April last, at which time the vincipai types of chassis which were being put through the works in any number were for comparativelylight loads, and several views of the company's smallest model were reproduced in the issue mentioned. We have recently paid another visit to Letchworth, and we were pleased to note the remarkable progress which has taken place since last April. A large number of chassis, embracing all Elie various sizes built by the Lacre Co. was in progress of erection, and we were interested to see ;mulI1!. these several sturdy threetonners. one of which, with a 30 h.p. engine. was being fitted out to run on paraffin it is destined for Siberia.
A large batch of five-tonners is also lic;ag put through the shops, may state that the first ten of these +x ill be shipped to Australia in fulfilment of a single order. This fiveton model has a very busincss-like appearance. The frame is of rolled channel steel, inswept at the forward cud, so as to increase the steering lock ; it has several tubular crossmembers, and from these the gearbox. steering gear, etc., are suspended.
One of the views now given shows a 30 ii. p. four-cylinder engine, and this engine, like all the other Lacre models. is designed so that a second magneto may be fitted as an auxiliary, or standby, source of ignition, if desired. The water-circulation is maintained by a centrifugal pump, and a very-lar,ie gilled-tube radiator is fitted the eooling is assisted by means of a belt-driven fan. The power from the engine is transmitted by a largediameter leather-faced cone clutch, a universal coupling and a spring-drive device to a very-sturdy form of gearbox : four speeds forward and one reverse are provided by the arrangement of gears within this component. The first speed forward and the reverse speed are of the ordinary sliding type, but the three higher speeds are brought into operation by means of dog clutches, the teeth of which are undercut, so as to give an easy lead
for engagement. The differential gear and eountershaft are enclosed within the same casing as the changespeed gear, the differential gear being Ott the gearbox mainshaft, and, consequently, it is made smaller than would be necessary if it were mounted on the countershaft itself. This arrangement of the differential gear necessitates a separate bevel drive for each of the two short chain-sprocket shafts; the gear ratio for each of these drives is the same, but the diameters of the two pairs of bevels
differ. -We reproduce a photograph of the differential gear and the two bevel pinions by which the short countershafts are driven., and from this view it may be seen that the parts are made of ample size to sustain the stresses that are imposed upon them.
The gearbox is hung, at the forward end, from one of the .lobular cross-members, and, at the after curl, from two points near the chain
sprockets. From the ends of the countershaft casing the Butler-type of back axle is anchored, and the latter is kept at a definite radius from the centre of the counter.shaft; there is. therefore, no tightening or slackening of the chain or brakes due to variations of the load on the platform_ The body of each anchor rod consists of a piece of stout channel steel ; lunged to the forward end of this channel is a massive cast-steel bridle, which is provided with 'bored trunk guides, similar to those usually provided for the crossheads of a steam engine. Each crosshead. in the Lacre radios rod. takes the form of a large eye-bott which eye-holt embraces one end of the countershaft casing, and its position in the trunk guide is adjustable by means of the screw shown in the illustration. The after end of the channel body is bolted to a loose flange on the back axle, and to this flange is anchored a pair of rear-wheel brake shoes and their operating levers. The general design of this five-ton chassis is excellent, and it should be quite capable of carrying the specified load on any average gradient at a good speed, and further, the chassis should have a long life.
Output from the works at Leteh-worth is now proceeding in a very-satisfactory manner, and two of the views reproduced herewith, taken recently in the factory, will convey an idea of the activity which there prevails. Many of the chassis and units in course of erection are destined for places abroad. The Lacre Co. is well known in practically every , part of the world, and is doing a verylargo export trade. During the past few years it has received orders from Brazil, Canada, Ceylon, Dutch East Indies, Ibadan, India, Japan, Negri Sembilan, New South Wales, New Zealand, Perak, Queensland, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Australia, Transvaal, Trinidad, Uganda, Victoria, 'Western Australia, etc., as well as • from the Continent of Europe. Mr. Claude Browne, the managing • director of the Lacre Co., is to he congratulated on the excellent organization which has permitted the delivery • of vehicles to customers throughout the anxious period during which so complete a change has been effected in the company's arrangements, Apart from a large number of orders now in hand for shipment to places . abroad, the home orders are considerable. The sum total of sales has , proved highly satisfactory.