Australian Bus has Underfloor Engine
Page 64
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A SINGLE-DECK bus possessing in, several interesting design features has been built in Australia. It is of integral construction and the specification includes all-metal bodywork; an underfloor petrol engine and a hand brake operating on the transmission.
The Ford V8 power unit is mounted amidships and access is gained to it for servicing through a steel trap in the floor. This trap protrudes slightly into the body and is attached to a pair of seats, the whole unit being hinged and capable of folding forwatd over the next two seats. The engine develops 128 b.h.p. at 3,000 r.p.m., with a maximum torque of 210 lb.-ft. at 1,900 r.p.m.
Spir. al-bevel Axle
A single-plate clutch takes the drive to a four-speed gearbox having ratios of 6.4, 3.09, 1.69 and 1 to I. A short Hardy Spicer shaft with needle-roller joints drives to a fully floating spiralbevel rear axle having a ratio of 7.2 to 1.
The hydraulic braking system inccirporates a vacuum servo and, as mentioned, the mechanical hand brake takes effect through the transmission. The frictional area of the front brakes is 156 sq. in. and of the rear brakes 194.5 sq. in.
Suspension is by conventional semielliptic springs, those at the rear being of the progressive type to cope with peak-load conditions. Damping, front and rear, is by Rotoflo double-acting shock absorbers.
A sprung steering wheel is used in B30 conjunction with a Marks worm and roller box, provision in the layout being made for the incorporation of hydraulic equipment to provide power assistance.
The cooling system, which has a radiator of greater cooling area than is normally employed with this engine, is pressurized to 4 p.s.i., which raises the boiling point of the coolant to 220° F. To ensure that the radiator receives an adequate volume of air, there is a duct running from the forward end of the vehicle. A 28-gal. fuel tank is carried under the floor on the near side.
The wheels are equipped with 8.2520-in. tyres, which are standard, but 9.00-20-in, equipment is available at extra cost.
Steel is used for the body and frame structure, and although most of the panelling is in light alloy, steel is employed for the rear bottom corners and for the roof, which is fitted with three suction-type ventilators. A fourth ventilator is mounted forward near the driver. Fabrication of this structure is by means of rivets, but the underframe is electrically welded. On the single entrance version, which is designed for 37 seated passengers with 16 standing, the jack-knife door is fitted forward of the front wheels. In the two-entrance type, which carries 35 seated passengers and 15 standing, the second door is placed behind the rear wheels.
In both versions the emergency door, which is hinged at the top, is at the rear. Lightweight steel pressings are used far the doors, which arc operated by vacuum motors.
Steel tubing is employed for the double-scat frames, whilst the single transverse seat at the rear, which accommodates five passengers, has an angle-steel frame. Dunlopillo cushions are used and the squabs are made from rubberized hair.
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Interior illumination is provided by eight 12-watt lamps partly recessed in the coving panels.
The vehicle has an overall length of 26 ft. 21 in., is 8 ft. wide and has a wheelbase of 12 ft. 41. in. It is being built by Hastings Deering Service, Ltd., William Street, Sydney, in conjunction with Commonwealth Engineering Co.. Ltd., Granville, New South Wales.