A Small Edition of a Popular Trailer Pump
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Details of the Latest Addition to the Range of Dennis Fire-fighting Equipment
FOR some years past Dennis Bros., Ltd.,. of Guildford, has marketed a portable pump intended principally for fire service, but equally useful for estate work and, In fact, any condition requiring the transfer of water. The outfit is entirely self-contained, consisting of a single-cylindered water-cooled petrol engine with magneto ignition, coupled direct to a small-size Dennisturbine pump, the whole being mounted on a tubular framework, which also carries the petrol and oil tank.
The -pump is Very compact in design and, moreover, being constructed of gunmetal throughout, the weight is reduced to a minimum. The entire apparatus weighs slightly over 2 cwt., and is, therefore, easily carried by three men, or, alternatively, it may be equipped with a detachable axle and wheeled barrow-wise by one man.
In some cases where these outfits have been supplied to fire brigades, pro'vision has been made on large selfpropelled Dennis fire engines for a set to be carried on the off-side running board.
The portable outfit has proved most successful, and its sphere of employment has lately been increased by the introduction of a small trailer pump which really comprises an adaptation of this popular appliance.
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The pumping set itself remains as before, but it is now available mounted on a pneu
matic tyred trailer, thus enabling it to be towed behind any vehicle, the total weight being just over 3 cwt.
Angle iron forms the frame of the trailer, and it is shaped to a point at the forward end, where there are a towing hook and a sliding support for holding the machine in a horizontal position. Two semi-elliptic springs transfer the weight to the solid axle, which carries a pair of wire wheels shod with 26-in. by 31-in. pneumatic tyres. The wheels run on ball bearings, and the track is only 2 ft. 8 ins., so that doorways of ordinary width can readily be negotiated. It might be thought that this comparatively narrow width would tend to snake for instability, but we understand that tests carried out on normal road surfaces at speeds up to 45 m.p.h. have shown the machine to be perfectly steady, and corners taken at any reasonable motorcar speed present no difficulties.
On the longitudinal members of the frame are carried two lengths of 2i-in. suction hose 6 ft. 6 ins, long, one section being fitted with a copper strainer. A capacious tool-box is situated just behind the apex of the frame.
Owing to the ease with Which it can be manceuvred this trailer may be handled in almost any position, but in cases where the water supply is most inaccessible, three men can quickly lift the pump unit clear of the undercarriage and carry it to wherever it may be required. Pumping may he carried out equally satisfactory with the unit mounted or detached, the output being 80 gallons to 100 gallons per minute at useful fire-brigade working pressures.
Once it has been started the pump will continue to run without supervision, the fuel tank containing sufficient for two hours' to three hours' running without replenishment, and the supply of cooling water being adjusted to maintain the engine at an efficient working temperature. Forced feed lubrication is employed in conjunction with a sight feed, a compartment of the main tank being devoted to oil storage.
The machine shown in accompanying illustrations is for service in India, being now on the way to Messrs. Roberts McLean, of Calcutta, who handle Dennis fire engines in that country and have made quite a nanie for themselves in the past few years.