Converted Six-wheeler's 17 m.p.g.
Page 47
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'THE petrol-engined 7-tonner operated
hy Mr. J. Holden, Blounts Hole Farm. Hollywood, Birmingham, until July of this year on farm-produce transport, averaged under 10 m.p.g. ROM August 1 Mr. Holden has run a converted short-Wheelbase Seddon 7-tonner fitted witha new chassis frame and a Boys oscillating-beam trailing axle, and now averages 17 m.p.g. carrying up to 11 tons.
It was rebuilt by Ashmore's (Auto Engineers), Ltd., High Street, West Bromwich, on a frame supplied by Rubery, Owen and Co,, Ltd., and fitted with the original Eaton two-speed axle and live-speed gearbox with overdrivetop gear.
The main chassis side members are straightfor the entire length of the frame and are of 7-in, channel section tapering to 5 in. at the rear.
The vehicle has a double drop-sided platform body of wooden ennstruction and a Homalloy light-alloy cab, and its total unladen weight is 3 tons 17 cwt. Externally the body is 8 ft. wide and
21 ft. lone. The standard power unit, a Perkins P6 oil engine, is employed, which was reconditioned when the vehicle was rebuilt. ...I:he cost of the lorry was £1,650.
The vehicle is mainly used on a run between London and Liverpool, but is also employed for carrying produce to Avonmouth.
When the lorry is fully laden the fuelconsumption rate is slightly less than 17 m.p.g, and on return journeys without a load nearly 19 m.p.g. has been recorded.
A wooden body was chosen in preference to one of light-alloy, construction, because it was considered that it was more suitable for transporting rolls of paper, which are frequently carried as back loads. Fitting an aluminium body would have reduced the unladen weight of the vehicle by about 4 c,,Nri.