Light Vans and Parcelcars : No. 15. 8-cwt. Model.
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The Hillman An Express Delivery Model Which Should Make a Strong Appeal to the General Tradesman.
Upon learsag that developments in the light-van industry were taking place among old-established manufacturers situated • in Coventry, we despatched, last week, a representative to that city in order that he might be in a better position to gain first-hand information relating to the increased activities thus foreshadowed.
The name which first figured on the list of calls was that of the Hillman Motor Car Co., Ltd., which concern is marketing a machine listed to accommodate 8 cwt. loads. The price of the complete machine is 2195. The London showrooms of the company are at 107, Great Portland Street, W.
The Hillman Van is a Straightforward Job.
In entering the light-van, market it is quite evident that this maker is turning out a machine which should make a strong appeal to the prospective user of this form of delivery unit, . particularly on account of the simplicity of the machine's construction and sturdiness of its design. It is not the first industrial model this concern has exploited, the Hillman Co. having marketed a 10 cwt. van in January, 1913.
The model under consideration embodies the four-cylinder monobloc type of engine, the bore of which is 60 mm. and the stroke 120 mm. ; it is rated at 9 h.p. The tappet mechanism is enclosed in a detachable dustproof cover, and is located on one side of the engine, so that a single camshaft is employed. This is driven through a train of skew-gears located at the forward end of the engine ; all the gears are enclosed in an oil-tight casing. A noteworthy constructional feature here is that there are but four valve-caps fitted, a single cap, on account of its large size, serves the purpose of enclosing both inlet and exhaust valves within their respective cylinders.
A Plunger Pump Circulates Oil.
Oil for engine lubrication is positively circulated by means :of a spring-loaded plunger-pump which is operated by an extension of the camshaft. Upon unscrewing a couple of nuts the pump itself may be withdrawn Jor . inspection .pur-s • poses. . The train of ,skew .gears to which We -haV'e already referred also serves to drive a high-tension magneto which is placed on the offside of the engine. This means that the tannet gear is left quite accessible.
Phi &lex make of carburetter, AS6 • which is usually supplied as standard, is fitted in close proximity to the main exhaust-manifold so that the intake gases are preheated bsfore they enter the induction-valve ports.
Thermo-syphon circulation is -relied upon for engine-cooling. There is no fan embodied in the cooling system, as it is found that the large-size honeycomb type of radiator is ample to keep the water at a satisfactory temperature.
The Fabric-lined Clutch.
The cone type of clutch transmits the power to a three-speed gearbox. The friction member of the clutch is lined with fabric, and, with a view to providing fo,r an easy engagement of the clutch, a wavedplate inset-spring is utilized as a foundation for the facing material.
A noteworthy feature is that an adjustable fibre-lined clutch-stop is fitted, which refinement should go far towards saving a lot of wear and tear in the transmission when changing gear. The clutch and foot-brake pedals can he adjusted to three different positions, and the rake of the steering column can also be varied, so that it is quite an easy matter to adapt the machine to drivers of differing stature. A feature worth recording concerning the enginecontrol is that a gunmetal roller takes the place of the ordinary pedal-plate of the accelerator. The three-speed gearbox is mounted amidships in a pressed steel frame, two malleable cast-iron transverse members of " I " section being utilized for its support. The gearbox unit is mounted at three paints, -and the main shafts revolve upon Auto-Machinery C.o.'s ball bearings. Immediately behind the gearbox is mounted the foot-brake, the contracting steel band of which is lined with Raybestos.
From the gearbox, power is transmitted to the live-axle through a cardan shaft. At its forward end is fitted a split-ring type of universal joint, which is enclosed in. an aluminium dome.
Final drive is by worm gear, the worm component of which is placed on top of the axle. The differential shafts are of the semi-floating type. They are wholly enclosed in sturdy little cast malleable sleeves, which, at their inner ends, are flanged and bolted to the worm casing ; their outer ends support the rear springs.
Suspension is Good.
With regard to the main suspension, semi-elliptic springs are fitted fore and aft ; there was no evidence of undue flexibility, the rear springs being sufficiently stiff to transmit the driving-torque.
The road-wheels take the form of the pressed-steel construction, and are each interchangeable • with the price quoted a spare wheel is included. As standard, Dunlop grooved tires arc fitted, the dimensions of which are 700 mm. by 85 min.
The Willesden canvas covered body is framed with ash, and access to goods is possible from the driver's seat or from the rear of the machine. Useful dimensions of the body itself are :-3 ft. 9 ins. in width, 4 ft. 2 ins, in height, and length -4 ft. 3 ins. As before stated the machine is designed to carry 8 cwt. loads, its wheelbase is 7 ft. 9 ins, and track 4 ft.