The Enfield Autocar Co., Ltd.
Page 20
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Principal Exhibit c—One 20h.p. Horse Box.
This company is exhibiting a standard 3-ton lorry chassis, fitted with a special body for the conveyance of horses. The engine is placed under the driver's foot-hoard, which allows of a very long platform for cargo. A supplementary frame carries the engine and transmission mechanism, so that no distortion of the main frame, can affect the working. The main frame, which is of channel-steel, is unusually high ; hence, when a fiat platform is fitted, the height corresponds with the regulation height of railway-wagon plattor7ns, a detail which greatly facilitates transhipment.
A 4-cylinder engine is fitted, with separate cylinders 120rmn, in the bore, and with a stroke of 127mm.; it develops 25h.p. at ',ono revolutions per minute. The inlet and exhaust valves are on opposite sides, and are interchangeable. The ignition is high tension, by coil and accumulator, and the lubrication is by gravity through separate sight feeds.
The clutch is of the leather-faced cone type, and two simple universal joints are provided on the propeller shaft. An undershield protects all the engine and clutch details from dust and mud, and the control is very simple, the governor acting on the carburetter, so as to render it impossible to exceed any prearranged speed.
The radiator is fitted at the front of the engine, below the dash-board : it is of the tubular form, and is manufactured by the company.
The gears are of the sliding type, giving three forward speeds and a reverse, and the bevel pinion and crown wheel are in the same gear-box, the final drive being transmitted by a single roller chain to the live hack axle. The gear-box is of very solid construction, and is secured to the supplementary frame, whilst strong radius rods are carried by brackets on the main frame. The height of the frame necessitates very long spring shackles, which are of unusually strong design, with gunmetal bushes. The Steering gear details have received special attention, and provision has been made for taking up all Wear, or play.
The body fitted is worthy of special notice, as it provides a novel and unusually safe method for transporting hunters, race horses and other valuable animals, without the trouble and expense of entraining or detraining. It has been constructed by the Gloucester Carriage and Wheel Company, Limited, and is finished in a particularly handsome style. This first commercial exhibit of the Enfield Company is a most hopeful beginning.