Carrying 15 Tons on an Eight-wheeler
Page 51
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CAREFUL design is necessary to enable a load of over 15 tons to be carried on an eight-wheeled semi-trailer outfit, and yet to keep the gross weight within the legal limit of 22 tons. Carrimore Six Wheelers, Ltd., High Road, North Finchley, London, N.12, has, however, achieved this object in producing a semi-trailer with a pay-load of 15} tons, the tare weight (including, of course, the tractor chassis) being only 61 tons. A Scammell tractor unit is employed and the tandem bogie
semi-trailer is attached to the chassis by means of the Carrimore rocking turntable.
The trailer is equipped with a flat platform body having an overall length of 25 ft. 9 ins., and the weight is 2/ tons.
In order to achieve this low tare weight careful attention has been paid to the design of the trailer, with a view to reducing the weight to a minimum and yet provide ample strength to withstand hard usage.
The main frame is a steel pressing, the bolsters which support the platform body being hollowed out in such a manner that every unnecessary pound of dead weight is saved. The tandembogie is of simple and robust design, fabricated metal brackets giving three points of suspension to each frame member.
As shown in an accompanying illustration the roan springs are intercoupled by means of a rocker bar, thus each axle automatically carries its fair share of the load. All four wheels of the tandem bogie are equipped with brakes, these being operated through the medium of rods actuated from a single cross-shaft.
Special Goodyear wheels are fitted and are interchangeable with those on the tractor unit, the tyres being single 13..50-in. by 16-in. pneumatics. The vehicle represents a serious attempt at providing an outfit capable of dealing with maximum pay-loads and, at the same time, fully complying with the legal axle weights—an object by no means easy to achieve.