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Tote's 'brain' is on the level
Page 77
Page 78
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CRANE Fruehauf Rigids Ltd is well known for its range of Imperial Bodies and Pengco demount systems built in large numbers on a flowline system. Although this allows for variations on a theme, it does not accommodate the one off special without disruption to production.
Last year CF bought up the ailing Able works at Bolton and now uses it mainly to produce specials_ in small quantity runs.
An order from the Totalisation Board for six vehicles to carry mobile computers about the country from one race track to another meant incorporating many special features with those of standard models for this particular application.
Basically it is a 5.5m (18ft) Luton box body mounted on a Ford D0710 4.0m (13ft) wheelbase chassis. But because the cargo is so delicate, the rear suspension had to be converted from the manufacturer's leaf spring; shock absorber layout to CF Pengco air suspension system with anti-roll bars and shock absorbers.
When the vehicle is on site, it is imperative for the correct operation of the computer that the floor of the body on which it is mounted be absolutely level Any tilt can cause the tape spools to stick and delay the payout to the punters. Four independently controlled hydraulic rams, powered by an electro-hydraulic pump are placed in pairs as far apart along the vehicle length as the chassis allows to level the stationary vehicle.
Four valves, mounted on a control box at the rear with a lockable cover, are turned on by an ignition key in a "dead man's hand" type spring-loaded switch, which must beheld in the on position. A marine-type spirit level included in the box indicates which lever should be used.
The body, an insulated City delivery model, just over 5.5m (18ft) long, 2.4m (8ft) wide and 5.5m (18ft) high, provides an interior height of 2 lm (7ft).
Extruded alloy sections form the corner pillars, main side and top rails. The outside is constructed from CF standard-sized aluminium sheets lmm thick, riveted to • wide-faced top-hat section flanges Each side is fitted with a maximum height 1.2m (4ft) opening, closed by double doors edged by a sealing strip and secured by Bloxwitch-type door catches complete with recessed lockable handles_ This allows access from either side, making use in congested conditions a more practical proposition.
The rear frame includes an additional steel crossmen-iber on which the two air-conditioning units are mounted, which are needed to provide the stable temperature
and dust-free environment required for the computers. Inside the body all the conduits housing the wire runs are put in place before the panels are foam sprayed for thermal and noise insulation.
This is an operation that must be done in stages, building up gradually to the required thickness_ The chemicals used for the foam generate considerable heat and if applied too thickly will distort individual panel sections. After the excess has been trimmed away, the 75rnrn in-fill in the side walls is covered by sheets of plastic Warite lining.
The roof is made from a single sheet of aluminium without any rivets intruding into the cargo area. Here the insulation, an extra 25mm thick, is also lined with plastic VVarite.
Plywood, 22mm thick, covers the floor and provides a base on which to attach the final overlay of vinyl tiles. The finished floor is fitted with a number of lift off covers to the inspection boxes in the conduit built into the floor section.
All internal wiring is 240V mains supply. There are eight lamps and eight sockets served by three junction boxes and one large mains control box The supply feeds the ventilator, air conditioning and fire prevention system in addition to the computer.
Extending to the front of the vehicle, the Luton box provides 915mm (36in) deep of useful storage the width of the vehicle. On the outside, the front bulkhead has a false lower panel, which is hinged to allow the cab of the D0710 to tilt for access to the engine compartment.
The chassis is fitted with a tow bar attachment and a sever pin trailer socket making it possible to tow a mobile generator onto the sites where there is no mains supply