ush-button control or new swop body
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An entirely new concept for swop body gyration known as Auto-Mount was spe:laity demonstrated to CM this _week by )avies Magnet Works Ltd, at Thundridge, tear Ware, Herts. The means of loading .nd off-loading on to the prime mover is ompletely automated—the driver controlng the operation from the cab by means of oush buttons mounted into a compact dashoard console.
The simplicity and ease of operation is uch that the driver can readily load or off-load his vehicle in under one minute for ach cycle without leaving the cab. An Idicator lamp shows that the proper equence has been completed.
When off-loading, energizing the system laces rear stand legs of the body to ground nd raises the rear of the body clear of the chicle chassis and, on driving out, the front :gs carrying the body slide over guides ttached to the side of the vehicle and are utomatically lowered as the unit is driven way.
In reverse, when the vehicle is backed aderneath the body to pick up, the front legs are first retracted automatically as they pass over the guides at the side of the vehicle, allowing the body to pass the length of the chassis to the forward position ready for locking. Upon actuation from the driver's cab, the rear stand legs are retracted into the closed position, while the body is lowered onto the chassis frame and hydraulically locked by fixing clamps thus holding the body firmly to the chassis to off-set horizontal or vertical surge forces.
The first Auto-Mount rig has been produced for the Bedford KT with 5-ton payload. Designs are nearly completed for the Bedford CF unit with similar automatic loading and off-loading with a payload of 30cwt. The CF swop body system largely utilizes light alloys. The Auto-Mount patented system will shortly be extended to include a heavier range of vehicles and . eventually to cover all popular makes.
Mr P. M. Davies told CM that a working model of the system will be shown on Stand 213 at the Commercial Motor Show and he was hopeful the demonstration vehicle would be in the parking area at Earls Court. He envisaged a cost of £850 to £900 for the 5-ton conversion—chassis mounting, hydraulics, power pack, ram, electrical switchS. gear and console controls, etc. The base frame carrying the four retractable legs, to match in with the vehicle operation, would probably cost bodybuilders about £250.