A Two-purpose Trailer.
Page 9
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ALTHOUGH by the use of chalsis .with extra long wheelbases, and, in some instances, by the employment of a gantry to the rear of the driver'uab, the ordinary petrol vehicle can beWsed to carry long loads, it is not always possible to accommodate such loads as girders, timber, piping, etc., without excessive overhang. Special brackets mounted at the front of the frame or alongside the driving compartment are sometimes found convenient, but only permit such articles as thin pipes to be carried in limited numbers.
For the transport of such loads it is often found desirable to employ a vehicle of the semi-trailer type, and an example of this class of machine is illustrated on this page. The trailer portion of the
vehicle, which was designed and constructed by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., 76-80, Grafton Street, . Liverpool, is shown in our pictures adapted to be used with an F.W.D. vehicle. One of the outstanding features• of the machine is that it can be used as a complete sixwheeler or the trailer can be used independently as an ordinary unit for hauling by any type of vehicle; in that manner it can be made to fulfil two purposes. The forecarriage is supplied is an extra, and the time which is taken in removing the trailer or coupling it up to the lorry is shout fifteen minutes.
The sliding centre steel reach of the trailer is se constructed that the hind carriage can be brought close to the hauling medium when it is desired to transport short lengths of material, and when extended to the rear to its utmost limit, lengths of material up to 25 ft. long can be conveniently transported. Four heavy stanchions, which are easily detachable, are provided to maintain the stability of the load, and the front Of the trailer is fitted with two permanent jacks which, when not in use, are hinged upwards and firmly held in position. These jacks are, of course, brought into use when the prime mover is being detached from the trailer portion.
The outstanding features of the vehicle can be gathered from the illustrations. The trailer is of all-steel construction throughout, and it is fitted with wheels of the double-steel disc type which can be provided with ball bearings or floating phosphor-b ronze bushes. Twin solid rubber tyres are fitted on the trailing wheels. One of our pictures shows the trailer portion disconnected from the hauling medium, tlae tall jacks being lowered to support the front end. In the other picture the manceuvrability cf the vehicle in relation to the trailer is shown.