Two New Trailers
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for special duty
TWO interesting trailers for carrying large slabs of terrazzo have recently been completed by the Harrow Industrial Co., Ltd., 29, Arches, Stanley Road, South Harrow, a concern which has supplied some unusual types of . trailer. The trailers were. constructed to the order of the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., and are being operated behind Fordson tractors by Diespeker and Co., Ltd., the well-known concern specializing. in flooring and'mosaic work.
One of the outfits is intended to carry 7-ton loads and the other is a 4-tonner, the model that we inspected being the former. The,/ are both of -similar design and have electrically welded joints, following the normal Harrow practice.
The chassis is downswept behind the front axle and continues at the lower level to the rear. Two features are the Harrow patent pinless turntable and a
£44 double-acting drawbar, which is also the subject of a patent by the trailer maker. The springs are semi-elliptic, underslung at the rear to assist in securing a low-loading height, whilst the brake drums are carried on the front wheels.
Two sizes of terrazzo slab are catered for, one being 7 ft. by 7 ft. by 2i ins., and the other 11 ft. by 7 ft. by 21 ins.; 21 of the former and 15 of the latter constitute a full load. As the material is highly polished it has to be carefully handled.
The sides of the body are carried on vertical stanchions, upon the upper ends of which a rectangular metal frame is
erected. This carries wood battens which keep the marble slabs in a vertical position, without knocking together. From a point level with the forward edge of the lower floor, for a distance of several feet towards the rear, the spacers are transvers3ly placed, being held in position by longitudinal covering strips which are screwed down.
The rear spacers are fixed lengthwise, their ends being recessed in holes in two transverse members of the superstructure. They are braced by metal strips fixed to them and to vertical members at the rear, where there is a frame, having diagonal struts, which prevents the load from slipping off. Although the rear wheel-arches extend into the loading space, the obstruction caused by them has been reduced to a minimum by making the track as wide as possible.
When terrazzo is being loaded the spacers are removed and are replaced as each slab is moved into position. Blocks 11 ft. long necessitate the removal of the transverse battens, because they extend right up to the front of the lower" floor, which has wearing slats.
The raised portion at the front of the trailer is used for carrying tackle, etc. The length of the outfit is 17 ft. 4 ins. '(exclusive of the ,drawbar) and the width is 7 ft. 51 in