THE AMERICAN SHOWS.
Page 9
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Half-a-dozen New Productions Among 70 Exhibitors. A Five-former With Six Forward Speeds.
ALTHOUGH THE NEW YORK SHOW-of oommercial-motor vehicles, which was held in the Armoury in the Bronx from January 3rd to January 10th, was twice as large from the point of view of number of vehicles as the Show of 1919 it was not very productive of new models or general . novelties. The number of makes shown was 70, represented by 288 vehicles.
There was one new make by Graham Bros., of Evansville, Ind., a 14-tonner, the makers having previously concentrated their production on an adapter.
The new models shown were a 31--tonner Autocar; the 11-ton Graham, already referred to ; a 1-ton Federal—a model which ha.s been off the market for two years and now returns redesigned and brought up to date ; a Stirling 5-tonner, which is unique so far as the American market is concerned with its six speeds ; a 3-ton Packard constructed for use with pneumatics ; ancta 5-ton Ward La France.
The 311-ton ,Autocar has a four-cvlindered engine located under the driver's seat, a position previotisly adopted in the 2-ton model of the Same make.
The 1i-ton Graham has been designed to carry a full li-ton load (apo lb.) at a speed of from 20 to 25 m.p.h. An examination of the chassis goes to show' that accessibility has received more than Usual_ itten-: tins. The engine is a Continental four-cylinder 3i-in.". bore by "5-in, stroke, of 22.5 h.p. rating... The final. drive is taken through internal gearing. There are. many refinements about the chassis ; ,these include Disteel wheels and pneumatic tyres, which are dard equipment as also are the starting and lighting sets, odometer, engine-driven tyre pump-and Moto-, meter: The wheelbase is 133 ins., and the pneumatic tyres are 35 ins. by 5 ins, a,11 round. •Thepriee-of the chassis is 2,295 dollars, which we do not convert into English meney, as it is a'matter of opinion at what' rate the exchange should be taken.
The Packard 3-tonner is fitted all round with what are known as giant pneumatic, tyres, that is to say, either 8 in. or 9 ins. This chassis is equipped with a more powerful engine than would normally be fitted to a 3-tonner, because-of the extra speed possibilities arising from the use of pneumatics. One of the features of this'vehiele is the 'Babcock vestibule all-steel cab, which is designed to givethe driver protection Mall kinds of weather. The cab may be locked up, and has compartments in which tools, important papers and other articles may be left with safety. The' cab is installed on a three-point spring suspension, which helps to eliminate the abrupt jolts arid jars to which a driver is subjected when the cab is. fastened directly to the chassis. We do not remember any attempt in this country to secure for the driver a like immunity from vibration.
The new model 1-ton Federal has disc wheels, pneu matic coed tyres, and a generator, battery and lamps -for electric lighting. The disc wheels are dished and tapered; and have straight side rims with bolted outer flanges for the purpose of minimizing effort in the changing of tyres. An electrical starter is an optional fitting at a slight additional cost, the price of the chassis being 2,300 dollars.
The most striking feature of the new Stirling 5-ton ner is its six-speed gear set. The ordinary gearboyt gives three forward speeds and a reverse. Between this and the rear axle is a two-speed jaekshaft, which therefore gives a double range of speeds—lower for power and the higher for speed—so that the driver is able to operate the vehicle at all times at its greatest efficiency under the varying road conditions. The power developed by the lowest of the six speeds is amply sufficient for pulling the vehicle fully leaded out of gravel pits, or running over soft ground, or climbing unusually steep inclines. Obviously, the greater range of speeds means greater fuel economy. On the highest speed, which is a direct drive, from 154 m.p.h. to 17 m.p.h. may be obtained.
The 5-ton Ward La France has been built for heavy duty work-, having a slow-speed engine (900 r.p.m. at 15 m.p.h.) and being 5 ins, in the bore by si ins, in the stroke.
Among the novelties shown are two new axles, the Parker and the Flint, and wheels for commercial' vehicles cast in aluminium.
The Parker axle is an improved design employing internal gear. It has a multiple disc-brake completely enclosed within the axle casing and operating in an oilbath, a method of -disposition which, it will be remembered, we recently referred to in connection with the L-type bus now being developed for the Fifth Avenue Coach Co., of New York. The brake unit and the differential unit can be completely removed without disturbing the wheels, the internal gears or the case, surrounding 1.these wheels, whilst the wheels themselves are dernounta,ble without disturbing gears or geareases. Accessibility, therefore, has beendevelopedto-the highest possible point The Flint driving axle has its final reduction through • .
a train of spur gears at ;the wheel, three equally spaced pinions being mounted on studs in the hub casings and rotating between a fixed ring gear, and the drive gear on the 'end of the Main shat.-;-This method of the gear in the hub Permits the bevels and the bevel gear housing in the centre of the housing to he &Mill; so giving much higher road clearance.
The aluminium wheels for commercial vehicles are made by the Aluminiuin Castings Co. and are the latest product to be made from this metal, Should 'this type of wheel prove satisfactory it means a large 'saving in unsprung weight, as the wheels weigh approximately half as much ae those of other types, whilst they have the -advantage of affording easy tyre changes because they do not rust, and the locking rine and tyre should never adhere through oxidization. Tests have demonstrated the ability of the wheels to resist fatigue, and further tests have been conducted for the purpose of bringing' out the strength of the wheels as regards side thrust and radial compression. The wheel is made in a one-piece aluminium alloy ca-sting, in either spoke or disc type design. A further claim, for the use of the-se wheels is the increased tyre mileage that results. Following upon the Show at New York a commercial vehicle show was held at the Stockyard Amphi theatre, Chicago, from January 24th to. 31st. The industry was represented by 55 makers of commercial vehicles and 52 makers of parts and accessories therefor.
The Chicago Show was practically a replica of the. New York Show, and there was nothing at Chicago that had not already been displayed at New York, except the exhibit of an additional trailer manufacturing company, and the exhibits of two further body manufacturers.