4,000-Gal. Tanker Weighs Under 20 tons Gross
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"A QUART in a pint pot" is always
the target of commercial-vehicle operator and designer alike. This has been fully borne in mind by Alf'd Miles, Ltd., Gloucester, in producing two mew articulated tankers of high payload( gross-vehicle-weight ratio which were displayed in London last week. This concern has, in recent years, become a member of the Hawker Siddeley Group and evidence of the aircraft industry's approach to design problems can be seen in their work.
The larger of the two models is designed to carry 4,000 gal. of petroleum spirit or other products of a maximum specific gravity of 0.745, and, together with a suitable tractor, to come within a 20-ton gross weight limit. The prototype, using an A.E.C. Mercury Mark II tractive unit, with 9.00-20 Michelin " X " tyres all round, has an unladen weight of 6 tons 13 cwt., to which the semitrailer contributes 2 tons 16 cwt.
A smaller version, illustrated in our issue of September 8, and of basically similar design, carries 2,400 gal, of heavy oil, specific gravity 0.945; within a 15-ton gross laden weight for the complete outfit.
The general specification of both types is similar. The following description applies to the larger type in detail but can be taken to be generally true of the
smaller so far as the principal features are concerned.
All-welded light-alloy construction is used for the entire main structure. A very clean appearance has been achieved by arranging for there to be no change of section throughout the length.
The running gear is of the B.T.C. Fourin-Line type, with Girling cam-operated brakes. Provision for either air pressure or vacuum brakes can be made, care being taken in both cases to reduce the delay period effect by siting, the units so as to avoid long pipe runs.
An interesting feature of the larger unit is the way in which the manhole covers and catwalk are slightly recessed into the top of the tank. Vertical drain tubes are fitted within this trough and some of these house the dip rods. A slight reduction in overall height is given by this recess, although the Miles engineers consider that the present figure of 9 ft. 2 in. could be reduced by about 4 in. by modifying the mounting of the running gear and rubbing plate.
The overall length and width of the 4,000-gal, tank are 26 ft. and 7 ft. 3 in. respectively, and the prototype is divided into six compartments. A light-alloy tubular ladder is fitted at the front of the tank, offset to the nearside, to give easy access in all positions of articulation.