A High-pressure Multi-purpose Portable Pumping Set
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The Four in One Made by Messrs. Equipment Repairs and Equally Suitable for Fire-fighting, Vehicle Cleaning. Whitewashing and Orchard Spraying
BUILT originally for the protection of the street in which
• its designer resides, the prototype of the portable pumping set, seen in the accompanying illustrations, proved so successful that the plant is now being produced for the general market. It is actually a multi-purpose unit, for besides fire-fighting it is ideal for vehicle washing and well adapted for a number of other purposes, such as whitewashing, orchard spraying, etc.
Obviously, it is the first of these additional functions that makes the appeal to Operators of commercial vehicles, repairers and agents, for while always available for dealing with incendiary bombs and extinguishing fires—of much greater proportions, incidentally, than those within the capabilities of an ordinary stirrup pump—it is also a valuable item of garage equipment for performing regular and frequent duties under normal conditions.
Named the Four-in-One high-pressure mobile pump, the outfit is being made by Messrs. Equipment Repairs, 19, The Viaduct, Ealing Road, Alperton, who are well known as suppliers, installers and reconditioners of garage service equipment, in which phase of activity they have been engaged for the past five years. It was built to the design of Mr. F. W. Becker, the proprietor of this firm, Having as its basis a tubular chassis of wheelbarrow type, hut mounted on two wheels, which are shod with Avon 16 by 4 pneumatic tyres, the plant comprises, as its main features, a twin-cylindered vertical pump, a 21 h.p. petrol engine, a 19-gallon water container, and hose with adjustable nozzle, like that of the familiar stirrup pump, capable of projecting a powerful jet or a fine spray. Running at about 60 r.p.m.; the pump delivers water at 300-400 lb. per sq. in. pressure and, with the nozzle adjusted for maximum jet lengtli—rather more than MO ft.—discharges at the rate of about 2-3 g.p.m. It is offered at £138, subject to certain discounts.
Quantity delivery has not been the aim of the designer, as this is obviously undesirable when the container probably has td be replenished by fire parties carrying water in buckets. Furthermore, for incendiary bombs, only a fine spray is permissible, whilst for extinguishing fires in their early stages a small high-speed jet may be quite as effective as any other means. There is no difficulty about using the apparatus for foam extinguisher, if this be wanted.
A gas-speed governor limits engine r.p.rn. while the plant is in operation, and a spring-loaded relief valve maintains a constant water pressure and by-passes excess delivery back to the suction side of the pump. Between the last-named and the hose there is an air chamber to cushion the impulses of the two cylinders, and a water pressure gauge is provided.
The Coborn power unit, made by Kryn and Lahy (1928), Ltd., Letchworth, is a sturdy four-stroke, with side valves and air cooled by fan and cowling. It is equipped with a magneto, having a trip device for easy starting. Mounted in close proximity to the carburetter is a one-gallon petrol tank. Drive is imparted from the engine to a countershaft by twin V-belts, running on small V-pulleys and a flat large pulley. The secondary reduction is by spur gear of ample dimensions. A steel guard encloses the transmission mechanism.
We witnessed a demonstration of this interesting set, which we believe to be the only =all portable fire-fighter having a reciprocating pump, and we were certainly impressed by its performance. One of our pictures gives a good idea of the jet that it can project, and we can vouch for the force with which the water ia thrown. It is virtually impossible to hold one's hand in the main stream from the nozzle when the valve is well opened.
Starting up the engine is an easy operation, and the outfit is well balanced on its wheels and can be manoeuvred or propelled along a level road by anyone of even somewhat less than average strength.
It may be thought that the price of this appliance is high, but it must be remenxbered that it comprises two quite expensive units. Engines and pumps are precision products and, in this case, both these items are of first-class make. In addition, the fact that the plant is not just an A.R.P. standhy, hut also is fo5 use daily as a money earner, flap, jiistfis tfie ea* thitleYipicientei • :..,•;