A Special-purpose Trailer of Novel Design
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TO meet the specific requirements of Glasgow Corporation a special trailer has recently been supplied by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., of 76-80, Grafton Street, Liverpool, S., through its Scottish agent, SiBbald, Deans and Co., 134, Kent Road, Glasgow, C.3. As its features may prove interesting to others who have similar problems to tackle, we will give brief particulars of the design.
Normally, the two-wheeled trailer is employed to carp/ a wheeled air-compressor ; whilst it -is specially equipped for this work it can also undertake general duties, therefore high sides, hinged to the platform, and removable ends are provided. Exclusive of the drawbar eye the overall length is 13 ft. 9 ins., whilst the body sides are 2 ft. 6 ins, high and the frame height is 2 ft. 4 ins. unladen. Solid tyres of 26 ins, diameter are employed.
In order to obtain a low-loading line without recourse to underslung springs---which reduce ground clearance—the c2S. brackets for the semi-elliptic springs are outside the frame and are secured to the upper flanges thereof. At each corner of the frame is a screw-type jack to support the trailer during loading and unloading. To haul the compressor into place on the platform there is a double-purchase crab winch, mounted upon the swan-neck drawbar.
To prevent undue wear of the platform there are steel tracks to accommodate the wheels of the compressor. It is not necessary to detach the tailboard when loading because the hinges of that part are of special form to allow the board to lie well below the line of the hinge bar, to which can be attached hook-on-type ramps of channel section ; these guide the wheels safely during the ascent or descent.
Carried upon the 2f in. square-section axle are internalexpanding shoes, operating in the wheel drums ; the brake may be applied by a cable from the tractor or by a horizontally placed lever under the platform on the near side.