Leyland's new clutchless Beavers go into service
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AT the Commercial Motor Show in September last year Leyland Motors Ltd. made semiautomatic trucks a main theme of its display and now the first 100 chassis with this feature have been built.
A special production line is used by Leyland for Beaver 14 BT.28R tractive units which have as standard fittings a Leyland 0.680 200 b.h.p. diesel, a five-speed semi-automatic gearbox and two-speed rear axle.
This model is designed and plated to operate with semi-trailers at up to 32 tons gross train weight and of the 100 produced over 40 are now in operation throughout Britain.
One of the latest semi-automatic Beavers to go into service is with Clarrington Coach and Haulage Co. Ltd., of Wigan, Lancs. This is an addition to the existing fleet of 37 vehicles and the tractive unit and its Scammell semi-trailer are used to deliver heavy mining equipment to ports and coalfields in Yorkshire, Northumber
land and Scotland.
It is reported that the operator considers the Beaver highly satisfactory in respect of fuel economy and performance.
Among other operators of similar models are H. J. Reader and C. Ltd., Dagenham; Tartan Arrow Service Ltd., London; Road Services (Caledonian) Ltd.; Capels Transport Ltd., Coventry; Hull Fish Meal and Oil Co. and T. Brady and Sons Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness.