LATEST TYPE OF YORKSHIRE THREE-TONNER.
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Our illustration shows a very fine example of steam-wagon manufactured by the well-known North of England firm the Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co., Hunslet, Leeds.
We had an opportunity of examining this machine,
itself at the Brewers' Exhibition, recently held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London. It is the com pany's three-ton type, and several improvements have been incorporated, the outstanding one of which is central-pivoting of the front wheels, which elimi nates overhung swivel bearings. This construction permits of a one-piece front axle being used. The forging is straight from end to end.
The Yorkshire Co. also makes a feature of its suspension, and the front portion, instead of incor porating a transverse spring, has two semi-elliptic springs anchored to a transverse suspension bar, the position of this bar being immediately behind the ash-tray. At the centre of this bar there is a trunnion bracket which, in turn, supports the frame of the wagon, the arrangement providing for any deflection in the springs set up when the front wheels encounter any obstacle.
The wagon is provided with three speeds, giving 4, 8 and 12 mph., respectively, and an ingenious and substantial interlocking device is fitted, which abso lutely prevents any two gears being put in mesh at one time. The operating lever is placed within easy reach of the driver's right hand. We mounted the cab, and found that all the control levers were conveniently disposed; moreover, there is ample protection for the driver in all weathers.
The maker emphasizes the fact that, owing to the particular position of the boiler and engine on these wagons, there is a maximum amount of platform space available for a given wheelbase, and also the very desirable feature of obtaining a uniformly-distributed load is a characteristic of this machine.
The wheelbase is 12 ft. 3 ins., and no less than 12 ft. by 6 ft. 6 in. of platform area is provided. The steel wheels are shod with Polack solids, the twin back being 1030 mm. by 140 mm., and the single front 850 mm. by 140 mm,