E.R.F. Tractive Unit for Ghana
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THE recently appointed E.R.F. distribu
tors, Blackwood Hodge (Ghana) Ltd., are importing their first E.R.F. chassis, this being a four-wheeled tractive unit which has been built to the order of R. T. Briscoe and Co. Ltd., of Takoradi, and which will he used for timber haulage in forested arqs. The tractive unit is of forward-control configuration, and is powered by a Cummins NHE 180 diesel, the " E " signifying that an oilcooling heat exchanger is fitted. The unit is to operate with B.T.C. pole trailers and will work within 70 miles of the railhead at Awaso.
The Cuminins engine has a gross output of 173 b.h.p. at 1,950 r.p.m., and develops 520 lb. ft. torque at 1,100 r.p.m. The 12-17-litre unit drives through an 18-in. clutch into a David Brown 657 six-speed overdrive-top constant-mesh gearbox, and thence into a Kirkstall double-reduction axle, the ratio of which is 8.26 to I. The heavy-duty chassis frame has twin-channel side members with a maximum depth of 14 in., and the Kirkman 16-in.-diameter cam brakes have 5-in.-wide linings at the front axle and 7-in, linings at the rear, the air-pressure actuating system having twin circuits. The Jennings all-steel cab is of simple construction, designed specifically for the rugged conditions under which the tracfive unit will be operated. Features of the cab include a "false roof to give a double-skinning effect, additional yen iffation, and half-doors. The exhaust system runs up the rear of the cab, on the left side, whilst there is a large Donacione air filter behind the cab on the right side. To reduce the risk of damage, the engine sump, radiator and fuel tank have been equipped with stout guards.
Coachbuilders' Rise
TWENTY THOUSAND men in the bodybuilding industry have been awarded a pay rise of between 4 and 5 per cent and a 40-hour week. And about a thousand women in the industry have won parity with male labourers—first target in the campaign for equal pay for equal work.
The agreement with the National Union of Vehicle Builders provides for an extra -24d. an hour for men from last Monday to bring the rate for bodymakers and coach fitters to 5s. ,:qd. an hour in the London area and -Id. less in the rest of the country. In addition the present 42-hour week will be cut by one hour in October and by a further hour
in July next year. • Women will receive an extra 30. an hour from last Monday and a further 3d. an hour from January next year. This will bring their pay up to the new rate for male labourers.
A.E.C. In Europe
EXPORTS of A.E.C. goods and passenger vehicles and diesel engines to Europe during 1963 showed an increase of more than 20 per cent, over the previous year's trading. Announcing this, Mr. R. G. Bennett, deputy general sales manager, said that A.E.C. sales to Portugal more than doubled in 1963, Switzerland had proved a similarly good market and -in two Common Market countries, Belgium and Holland, it had been a record year for the company's products. A hest-ever turnover of £1,430,000 had been achieved in Holland through the associate Verheul company, while in France, Etablissements Willeme completed their first full year's association with A.E.C. and recorded total sales of Lim.