All-wheel Drive Aids to Victory
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A FEATURE that has greatly inter
ested many of the British arid Empire troops using American vehicles is the all-wheel drive system produced • by the Marmon-Herrington Co... (Inc.) of Indianapolis. Among the places where they had notable success with these
• machines was Libya. Thousands of trucks of a suitable design for desert travel were landed in Egyptian ports and they quickly showed their capabilities in respect of crossing sandy terrain.
The whole idea of Marmon-Herring. ton trucks is to cater for cross-country operatioh when required and the simple principle of making each wheel a driving force lies be'rlind the success that has been achieved in crossing trackless deserts, coping with extraordinarily difficult conditions on oilfields, replacing pack mules in the mountains and hauling the timber
through forests. Early trucks produced by the company were large and lieavy so that a limited production made costs high. However, seven years ago it was decided to provide for the general conversion of a massproduction-type chassis, the 30-cwt. Ford being chosen for a commencement. Standard Fords of all models are now adapted by the thouslnd and the cost of a 30-cwt:all-wheel-drive truck has been halved as compared with a few years ago By, association with the Ford organization almost a world-wide guarantee of service can be given for these jobs.
A modern plant covering 16 acres of land is necessary to meet the present • demand experienced by the company for trucks and adaptations. The same craftsmen who build Marmon-Herrington heavy-duty machines also carry out the conversions, for the latter are not. " accessory " jobs but need special machinery and highly trained workers.
Some idea of the system can be obtained by following through the procedure on one of these conversions. First, the original front-axle assembly is removed and afterwards the new driving front axle, with standard Ford differential gears, is installed. Thep comes the fitting of a Marruon-Herrington two-speed auxiliary transmission or transfer case, followed by the necessary changes in the steering assembly and brake connections. When a six-wheel drive is needed, a larger frame and extra driving rear 'axle have to be added. 'Before leaving the works each convers'ion is road-tested under actual working conditions.
So as to give positive but light steering control. all-wheel-drive machines by Marmon-Herrington are fitted with constant-velocity steering joints which are made on the ball-and-socket principle, permitting a 30-degree turn .to either side. ing streams, ploughing through snow and generally for performing pioneer work.
., Indeed, the ability of the type to extricate itself from an awkard situation needs lo be seen to be believed. Obviously, the wheeled maohine is not the ;qua', in this respect, of the tracklayer, but the additional traction afforded by the front wheels certainly renders it a good second, and puts it a loag -way ahead of the vehicle using the front wheels only for steering.
To revert to the lighter types. Marmon-Herrington all-wheel drive is used extensively on utility cars intended for the transport of oilfield and forestry staff, whilst big private cars so fitted make a special appeal to law-enforcement offiettrs and others Who • at any moment may need speed combined with safety.
Apart from commercial types the Marmon-Herrington organization, is now producing armoured trucks, track laying gun-carrier$, and tanks. By this means it . is, assis,ting American defence as well' as helping to make its country 'thre " Arsenal jig • the Democracies."