A NEW 20-cwT. CHASSIS
Page 12
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Light Chassis, of Austrian Origin, Suitable for Fast Transport of Light and Bulky Loads.
ALIGHT commercial chassis capable of dealing with loads up to 30 cwt., including the body (which would imply a capacity of about 20 cwt. of useful load), and known as the A.F., has been placed on the market by British AustroDaimler, Ltd., of 112, Great Portland Street, London, W. 1, the works of the concern being at The Hyde, Hendon, London, N.W. 9. As will be seen from the accompanying photographs, which were specially taken for The Commercial Motor, the chassis has a, bold and striking appearance, the radiator and dash being carried high in relation to the top of the engine, but in no sense unduly so, whilst an examination of the chassis induces the thought that the design is excellent, whilst the workmanship appears all that could be desired.
The frame is of pressed steel, deep in the centre and broadly flanged where it is inswept, and it is stiffened by four cross-members, whilst the rear shackle anchorage, being carried right across the chassis, forms an additional tubular cross-stay. The front ends of the side members are swept downwards to the front spring anchorages. The front axle is a sturdy H beam forging, and the rear axle casing is part of a T-shaped steel pressing flanged, the two fellow portions being bolted together along the flanged edges in accordance with a practice which emanated from Italy. The wheels are pressed single discs, detachable at the nave plates, and are shod with 820 ram. by 120 mm. pneumatics, twins on the rear wheels.
One sees that, born and bred in a hilly country, the 'question of adequate cooling of jacket water has been fully regarded. The radiator is a genuine honeycomb, the water pipes are large .(the water circulating thermo-siphonically), and the fan, a four-bladed casting, runs upon a spindle mounted eccentrically for the purpose of providing a ready means of belt adjustment. The engine is four-cylindered, the cylinders, jacket and upper half of the crankcase being a single casting. The cylinder diameter is 89 ram., and the piston stroke 110 mm., whilst, at 2,000 r.p.m., the power output is 24 hp. The carburetter is the Zenith triple diffuser, fitted with mixture control : its throttle is actuated by accelerator pedal. and lever on the
steering wheel. The magneto is a Bosch, and the timing is alterable by means of a lever also on. the steering wheel. Provision is Made for driving a lighting dynamo. The oil is circulated by a Frienmann pump, and there is a safety device connected with the oil level indicator by which, when the pointer has reached the minimum end of the scale, showing that the oil has sunk below the safety level, it will cut off the ignition, the arm carrying the pointer then bearing upon ., the plug to which the earth wire of the magneto is attached. A pump operated off the rear end of the camshaft supplies air pressure to the „petrol tank, and on the dashboard is a hand pump for the same purpose, a pressure indicator being mounted beside it. The petrol cock is opened and closed by a lever mounted most conveniently on the dash between the pressure pump and the steering column.
The power' is transmitted through a steel-plate clutch running in at) oil bath to a gearbox mounted on four supports to the cross-members, and giving four forward speeds and reverse, the gear lever and brake lever being mounted out
side the frame on the right. From the gearshaft the power is transmitted through a propeller shaft to bevel gears, the shaft being :universally, jointed at its forward end, and the joint being enshrouded by the spherical housing at the forward end of the pressed-steel T axle and propeller shaft casing. The rear wrings are 4 ft. 2 ins, long, the 12 leaves
being 55 ram. wide, and the upper leaf 8 mm. thick. The petrol tank is placed under the driver's seat and will hold 16 gallons. The principal chassis 'dimensions are :—Wheelbase, 9 ft. 6 ins. ; wheel track, front 4 ft. 41 ins., rear 4 ft. 5 ins. ; overall length, 14 ft. 8 ins. ; distance from dash to end of frame, lift.; height of frame from ground, loaded, 2 ft. The weight sf the chassis with tyres is 171 cwt. The price, with pneumatic tyres, is £295. The chassis is adapted for use as a light lorry, covered van, ambulance, or char-a-bancs, as there is a considerable body space, and the power is ample, thus ensuring good speed on the level and ability to climb the steepest hills with a full load.