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The Latest German Military Lorry.

14th December 1911
Page 6
Page 6, 14th December 1911 — The Latest German Military Lorry.
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Our Own Correspondent in Berlin Communicates Early Particulars of this New Machine which Complies with Subvention Requirements.

The new type of Bussing motor wagon, which has been produced especially tor German military-transport purposes, is certain to be of considerable interest to your readers, especially now that the question ot the subsidization of users machines in Great Britain has of late received so much publicity. The lines upon which the German War Office is working are also, of necessity, of interest to the large number of Army officers who are concerned with this problem of motor vehicle transport for military purposes in connection with the British Army. I am aware that the majority of these officers are studious readers of your journal.

I therefore forward to you illustrative and textual material with respect to this latest type of German military wagon. An inspection of the photograph– [We have reproduced this belo w.—ED. l—reveals the tact that considerable care has been taken to provide for the protection of the driver and the crew from inclemency of weather. The front seat of the lorry has been made specially comfortable ; a capacious letdown hood with side curtains, and very high side doors between the dashboard and the seat, serve to protect the driver of the machine under the very worst conditions. The hand brake, the change-speed lever, and all the rest of the control, are get-at-able by the drivel. from within this enclosed compartment. Special care has been taken to make the whole of the control readily accessible.

In spite of these additional comforts for the driver, and many other alterations that have been made to standard in order to comply with the W.O. conditionA, the entire weight of the motor vehicle itself has not been allowed to exceed the maximum of 4,000 kilo. (78 cwt. 82 lb.). The unladen weight on the front axle is 1,750 kilo. (34 cwt. 50 lb.), and the balance, of course, is on the back axle. The gross weight is not allowed to exceed 8,000 kilo. (157 cwt. 52 lb.), so that the wagon itself carries a useful load of 4,000 kilo. (78 cwt. 82 lb.). A novel feature of this latest machine is the comparative narrowness of the wheel gauge. The German War Office has decided that at no point shall the width of the wagon and its trailer exceed two metres 06 ft. 7 in.), whilst the maximum distance between the centres of the rear tire treads is not allowed to exceed 1.55 metres (roughly 5 ft.). As I have reported to you on a recent occasion, this regulation as to wheel track is based on the average breadth of the French frontier roads. The whole subvention scheme in Germany, of course, as in other countries, is in the nature of military protection only !

Hitherto the back wheels of the subsidized types have been shod with twin rubber tires, if that class

of material has been used at all, but in the new Bus

sing we have single tires 26 centimetres (1c4 iii.) across_ Your readers will naturally enquire how these have

answered when negotiating hilly country districts under slippery conditions. It must be admitted that they have not been wholly satisfactory, although the Iliissing engineers ascribe the trouble in this direction not to the use of single tires, but to the diminished rear-axle pressure. Anyhow, whatever may be the cause, it is to be recorded that those who accompanied this interesting machine on its trial trip over 1,220 miles were not strikingly edified by its tendency to reach the foot of a greasy decline in advance of schedule time ! Throughout the trial the engine ran splendidly. With regard to the trailer, while its left front wheel and its right back wheel were shod with the usual

11.5 centimetre (4i in.) tires, the remaining wheels had treads a little bit less in width. These tires. were steel, and the innovation with regard to the alteration in width appears not to have been entirely successful, in the matter of adhesion.

I have, of course, in this advance notice, not been able to give any very detailed particulars of this in teresting trial trip, as for the moment it is sub judic_1, it being the subject of exhaustive consideration by military experts, who will duly communicate their views to the makers, informing them of any modifications that may be deemed advisable.

In connection with this subject, I may take this opportunity of dealing with an inquiry which was sent to me through the editorial office of TEE COMMERCIAL, MOTOn recently, as to whether the German War Office is, at present showing a preference for gear drives with regard to final transmission. I am able to tell you that there is a slight preference in official circles for gear-drive axles, although chain drives are equally admissible according to subvention regulations. Where chains are used they must be of the standard W.O. pattern. Several years ago, the chain was undoubtedly preferred.


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