Argyll Motors, Ltd., and Argylls, London, Ltd.
Page 13
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Principal Exhibits :—New Model Worm-Driven Chassis ; and Motorcabs.
Argyll Motors, Limited, has recently made a new departure in the way of commercial vehicles. The new models are a 30cwt. chassis and a 3-ton chassis, both of which are entirely different from anything previously made by the company. The 3ocwt. chassis (shown on Stand No. 78) is fitted with a vertical, four-cylinder Aster engine, with cylinders having a bore of 95mm. in diameter, and with a piston-stroke of 130rrun. The cylinders are cast separately, and all valves are mechanically
operated. The engine develops 1620h.p. at goo-1, toor.p.m. High-tension ignition, with coil and accumulator, is employed, and the lubrication is on the sight-feed system.
The clutch is of the multiple-disc type, running M oil, and is remarkably elastic. Between the clutch and the gear-box there is an Oldham coupling, and the change-speed gear-box is the well-known Govan patent, which is a combination of the sliding tooth and the dog-clutch type. The reverse rolls into mesh with the main-shaft and layshaft, and is mounted on an eccentric shaft. The operation of changing speed is a very simple matter, as it is almost impossible to miss gear. Three speeds, of 3, 6, and to miles an hour, are provided, and one speed reverse. By accelerating the engine, a speed of tom.p.h. may be obtained. All the shafts run in special anti-friction bearings..
The drive from the gear-box to the back axle is by a cardan shaft, with the universal joints carefully enclosed. The back axle is entirely different from anything previously turned out by the company, and is worm-driven as shown in our illustration of the centre part of the back axle. The worm-shaft has ball-thrust bearings, and is made of steel carefully hardened and ground. The worm-wheel is of phosphor-bronze, and is mounted on the differential-gear cage. The differential shafts have only to transmit the drive to the road wheels through dog clutches, and all the bending strains are taken by the conical, east, malleable casings on which the wheel journals are fitted. The axle casing is prevented from rotating by the triangular torque-rod, with compensating spring, to absorb all starting and braking shocks. Two sets of brakes are fitted : the foot pedal operates toggle-jointed block brakes on a drum mounted on the propeller shaft, and the lever brakes are of the internal-expanding type acting direct on the road wheels. The leading axle is of H-section, and the steering levers are all behind the axle and pro
tected from damage by collision. The driver is accommodated with a seat over the engine, but ease of access to engine and carburetter is provided for by inspection doors. A honeycomb radiator of the Albany make is fitted. In addition to a chassis of this type, there is, also, a covered van for Bryant and May, Ltd., on the same type of chassis, but with the driver seated behind the engine, and a standard 3ocwt. van. The approximate weight of the chassis is 35cwt.; the wheelagange is 5 feet, and the Wheel-base is 9 feet 6 inches.
A 3-ton chassis, built on precisely similar lines, is shown as well. This has a four-cylinder Aster engine, with cylinders cast separately, with a diameter in the bore of tosmm., and with a stroke of 14omm. The engine develops 26.3oh.p. at 900-1,toor.p.m., and has high-tension magneto. The gear is similar to that of the 3ocwt. chassis, but heavier, and is, in general design, an enlarged model of that chassis. The wheel-base of the 3-ton chassis is is feet, and the wheel-gauge 5 feet 6 inches. The frames are of pressed, channel steel, mounted over semi-elliptical springs, the rear ones riding on slippers which are provided with lubricators. The weight of the 3-ton chassis Is about 4oewt. All the wheels are of artillery pattern, with staggered spokes, in order to give the greatest possible lateral stability, and are fitted with De Nevers solid tires.
The next vehicle, in point of interest, is a cab, which we illustrate in our supplement. This has been built to meet the requirements of Scotland Yard. It has an Aster engine, with cylinders 9omm. diameter in the bore, and having a piston-stroke of 120mm. With the object of keeping the vehicle as short as possible, the driver's seat is above the engine, and, whilst being
very easy of access, is, at the same time, comfortable and convenient for the entire control of the vehicle. There are three speeds provided, of
and 22 miles an hour, with through drive on top speed, and one speed reverse. The wheel-base is 6 feet 9 inches, the wheel-gauge 4 feet 6 inches, the total length ro feet 9 inches, and the overall width s feet 6 inches. The cab provides comfortable accommodation for four persons, and there is ample knee room. The upholstering is not nailed to the body, but may fairly easily be removed for cleaning and disinfecting. The top of the cab has luggagerails, and is constructed to carry a load of 3cwt. The wheels are fitted with Continental, non-skid, pneumatic tires.
The company claims for its discclutch easy, even, and rapid acceleration, and freedom from shock.
Amongst the other exhibits on these two stands are :—
Stand No. 78: A 15cwt. light lorry, as built for the Birmingham Corporation; two tscwt. vans, as supplied to Pullar's Dye Works ; and one van with a detachable top, which may be replaced with a tonneau body. Stand No. 85 : A t5cwt. commercial travellers' sample-carrier ; a r5cwt. van with glass screen ; iscwt. canvas-covered van for Messrs. Coxeter and Co., of Oxford; and a r5cwt. van for " The Glasgow Evening News," this lastnamed vehicle being one of seven. The escwt. vans all have cone clutches, and live back axle with bevel drive.
The chassis, as compared with the company's earlier models, have all been suitably strengthened to enable them to stand regular use in commercial service, and on bad roads.