Armstrong-Saurer's New Eight-wheeler
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Further Details of the Samson Oiler, which has a High Pay-load Capacity in Relation to its Unladen Weight
I N our issue dated March 9 we
announced the introduction by Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., of a new oil-engined eightwheeler, called the Samson, and the company has now released further particulars for publication. The outstanding feature of the new vehicle is its low unladen weight in relation to its legal pay-load capacity. The gross weight of the machine is 22 tons—the maximum permitted for this type—the distribution being such that each of the forward axles carries 3i tons and each of the rear axles 7i tons. With a body built to the standard specification the Samson falls into the 7-8-ton taxation class (£175 per annum), and it can carry legally a pay-load of about 14i tons.
Both the forward axles, which are of standard design, are steered, specially light Manes cam-and-roller gear, giving a generous lock, being employed. The drop arm, which is of 3 per cent.
B40 nickel steel, is connected by a drag link to the leading axle, and by a link rod to another drop arm mounted on the frame side member, the second drop arm being coupled by a further drag link to the other front axle. The dis
tance between the front axles is 4 ft. 11 in. Careful attention has been given to the design of the steering gear and linkage.
Air-pressure brakes on all wheels are being used as standard equipment, whilst the company's super gear, giving eight forward speeds, is available. The new chassis is being marketed in both long-wheelbase and short
wheelbase sizes. The former has a wheelbase of 15 ft. 5i ins., a turning circle of 70 ft. and can take bodies up to 23 ft. 6 ins. long, whilst the shortwheelbase model has a wheelbase of 14 ft. 3 ins., turns in a circle of 65 ft. diameter and can accommodate bodies up to 21 ft. 6 ins. long. The power unit employed in the Samson is the Armstrong-Saurer six-cylindered oil engine developing 110 b.h.p.
For those spheres of heavy haulage where a single vehicle with a big payload capacity is required the new Samson should certainly fill the bill.