Rushton

12th November 1929, Page 179

12th November 1929

Page 179

Page 179, 12th November 1929 — Rushton

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BY reason of its novelty the pneumatic-tyred road-haulage tractor will appeal to many visitors to the Show. In the past the tractor as a unit for road-haulage work has been regarded as a low-speed machine for short-distance hauls. It has now been realized that it possesses an enormous scope for long-distance work, provided it be designed for such service.

The Rushton concern has just brought out its new model. A chassis frame is used, this following, in general, the lines of the conventional lorry. The front axle is carried by semi-elliptic springs mid Ackerman steering is employed. The rear end of this chassis frame is carried upon semi. elliptic springs, which are mounted below the driving axle. On this frame is carried a weatherproof cab, which. of course, has the benefit of the spring insulation, so that the driver and his mate are comfortably housed for the longest day's work.

A standard Rushton engine, gearbox and axle assembly is connected at one point at its forward end to a frame cross-member. At the rear the semielliptic springs form the other two points of connection. It will be seen that the engine assembly is, therefore, sprung at the forward end, but not at the rear. Pneumatic tyres of 36-in. by 6-in, size are used for all wheels, and the road speed, with a load of 5-6 tons, is in excess of 20 m.p.h. Another road-haulage unit has solid tyres and is designed to haul, at a speed of 10-12 m.p.h., trailers burdened with 10-ton loads, In this ease the cab is mounted at the front on rubber blocks and is insulated at the rear by a semi-elliptic transverse spring.

A track-laying machine is equipped with Roadless-Traction units, in which the track links are coupled by rubber blocks, so that no lubrication is required by the joints; the life of this type of track is a long and silent one. This machine is steered by the use of internal-expanding brakes in the driving sprockets. The exhibit staged is equipped with a two-speed winch, so that it can be used for timber work where the load has not only to be trausportecl, but collected.

The fourth exhibit consists of a rubber-tyred machine with Muir-Hill cleated wheels for road or field service, and it carries a shovel operated by a chain from a shaft on the off side of the transmission case. This model is particularly well suited to work hi 's quarries, coal dumps and tips. It is illustrated in another page in this issue.

The standard engine-transmission unit is embodied in all these models. It has four cylinders of 4i-in. bore and 5-in. stroke. Air is drawn through a water-type cleaner of simple but effective construction. There is no float to give rise to trouble.

A multiple-plate clutch, which runs in oil, conveys the power to a threespeed gearbox. Behind this is a worm and wheel, the thrust of the further being taken by roller bearings. A power take-off can be Operated from the worm shaft.

A worm-and-sector steering gear is mounted behind the engine—except in the case of the Roadless machine. which is steered by brakes.

There are several other types of Rushton machine for farm and road work, but space restrictions preclude their exhibition.

Rushton

Page 179

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