TRACTOR-LORRIES FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES.
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Furniture, Barrels of Beer, and Electric Cable Drums Carried on Specially Designed Low-load-line Vehicles.
QOME LITTLE time ago, in an article entitled "Parcel Transport in Belgium," we referred to the activities of Messageries Van Gend et Cie., the largest carriers in that country. , The company employ a large fleet of tractorlorries, and it is interesting to note that they have recently taken delivery of a standard A.E.C. 34-tonner, with the end of the frame cut off in order to transform it, into a suitable tractor for a tractorlorry outfit.
The trailer portion was made in the. works of Carrosserie Latymer, Ltd., and shipped to Brussels to their agents, Kociate .onyme Electro-Motor, 22, Rue Bonne Terre, Bruxelles. The body is of exta large size and is designed for carrying furniture. It has a capacity. of 1,400 cubic feet, but one of the most meritorious features is the low loading height, which is Just 2 ft. Another interesting feature is the fact that the vehicle is equipped, on 12.11 its six wheels, with Michelin pneumatic tyres, twins being provided for the Living and rearmost wheels.
A second Carrimore tractor-lorry, also using an A.E.C. tractor, has been supplied through the same representatives to the Brasserie Haeeht.. This vehicle also has a capacity_ of 10 tons. but, in this case is specially designed for the transport: of beer barrels. The illustration which we publish shows the trailer portion turned almost at right angles to the tractor. It will be seen that some of the barrels are piled up on the raised portion over the turntable. Slides are arranged for the lower layer of barrels, so that these are prevented from rolling off.
This type of tractor-lorry lends itself admirably to all classes of goods which require manual effort in loading or unloading, and in the second vehicle described the feature of a low loading line has been retained, although it is not somuch emphasized as in the case of the pantechnicon body built for Van Gend.
In order to show the arrangement of the various frame members, etc.; in this type of Carrimore vehicle, we publish a drawing which shows a recently designed model suitable for carrying two large electric cable drums, 7 ft. 3 ins, in
diameter and one small one of 5 ft.
diameter. The loading height of the lower platform iS 24 ins., and of the upper platform 4 ft. 8 ins.
For loading purposes the vehicle is' equipped with special ramps, both from the ground level to the lower platform and from the last-named to the upper platform. To assist in loading, a handoperated winch is situated at the for. ward end of the upper platform, and this retains the ends of the ramps in a vertical position when nbt required.
In loading, if it he required to carry both the large and the small cable drums, the small cue is first run up the two sets of ramps into its proper position. on the upper platform, after which the ramps for loading the front portion are detached and the two large drums run into position on thedower platform.
Reference to the drawing will showthe curious,but immensely strong, way in which the side members of the frame are arched for the rear axle.
We would point. out that any of these vehicles Can be supplied for use in this country as well as abroad.