• A NEW ONE TON EXPRESS CHASSIS.
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Details of the Latest International Fast Delivery Model, which is Equipped with Pneumatic Tyres and Electric Lighting and Starling Set.
THE NEW one-ton chassis, which; is the latest production of the International Harvester Co., of Great Britain, Ltd., 80, Finslaury Pavement, London, E.C.2, is a fine-looking machine, built ,rather more on the line of a private touring car than on those of the usual commercial vehicle its taper bonnet merging into the scuttle dash, the domed wings and the electric headlamps with antidazzle lenses serving to confirm this impression.
The maximum speed of this vehicle is stated to be 35 m.p.h., and although, of course, this speed is illegal, there is no doubt that a machine of this description could easily average 20 m.p.h. over long distances, and in cases of emergency, particularly for short delivery work, could reach considerably higher speeds. Such machines should prove of particular service to traders and others who may be asked to forward light goods at a moment's notice. The, trader who can, in response to a request over the telephone, send goods so that. they will arrive within a short. time of the demand, will certainly give complete aatisfaction to his customers, and be able to make his business more secure than can those of his competitors who depend upon less speedy methods of transport-.
The one ton International is fitted with 34 in. by 5 in. pneumatic cord tyres of Goodrich make. These are -on demountable rims, each held in position by eight clips, so that it is quite an easy matter to remove or replace a tyre when necessary. A most convenient fitting in connection with the pneumatic tyres is the Kellog mechanical tyre pump, which is driven direct front the gearbox. The fitting of such a pump removes one Of the greatest objections to the use of pneumatic tyres, i.e., the hard work often necessitated in the case of tyre trouble on the road.
The machine is very adequately equipped with a dynamo driven from the timing gear of the engine, and an electric starter operating on teeth cut in the flywheel and brought into action by the depression of a small pedal. An electric warning device forms part of the standard equipment of the chassis, and is positioned on the near side of the engine under the bonnet.
ft would appear that the chassis would give very, satisfactory running if fitted with a small motor coach body, providing that its load capacity of one ton were not exceeded.
Are will now proceed to give a more detailed description of the machine. The frame is constructed of two 5 in. pressed steel channel section side-members, tapered to the front and rear and inswept slightly close to the dash. The side-members are held together by wellgusseted cross-members, the whole mak ing a most substantial frame.Mounted in this is a unit comprising a Lycoming four-eyiindered monabloc engine of the L-hetteled type, with a bore and stroke of 31. ins. and 5 ins, respectively, a dryplate multiple disc clutch and a gearbox, giving three forward speeds and a reverse.
As is usual with construction of this type, the gear change lever is centrally, positioned, as is also .the. hand brake lever,
The radiator is construtted with finned tubes, and the cooling water circulation is thermo-syphonie. Lubrication-is by a combination of pump and splash systems, and for the ignition advantage is taken of the current produced by the dynamo, the Connecticut distributor being mounted on the engine:
The gearbox gives direct drive on the highest gear, and the reduction between engine and gear wheels on this speed is 6.5 to 1.
From the gearbox the drive is taken through a stout propeller shaft, provided with two flexible disc. joints' to a rear axle of the dual type, in which a stout forging takes the weight, whilst a comparatively light axle casing contains the differential and bevel gears, the final drive being through driving shafts carrying pinions meshing with internal gear rings carried by the rear wheels' the whole gearing being totally enclosed, and thus protected from the entry of dirt and water. Such axles have proved very popular in America, and have the advantages of lightness combined -with strength, whilst presenting • a neat appearance, and giving a remarkable road clearance.
Both brakes act direct on the rear wheel drums, one being of the internalexpanding type and the other externalcontract-mg.
On the dash are positioned an oil pressure indicator, an ammeter, and a gauge showing the amount of petrol in the tank, the latter, which has a capacity of• 12 gallons, being positioned in the. scuttle dash so that -it does not project. In addition to the oil pressure indicator, there is an oil level indicator., consisting of a float and an exposed spindle, carried on the top of the Crankcase.
Special attention has been paid to the matter of springing, and apart from the usual semi-elliptic springs, there are, at the reor, two quarter-elliptic auxiliary springs clipped direct to the frame sidemembers, the free ends resting on pads on the axle when the vehicle is loaded.
The front springs have a length of 38 ins., the rear springs 54 ins., and the auxiliary springs 24 ins. The front axle is a stout, heat-treated drop forging, with the steering tie-bar carried behind it.
A remarkably neat form of lubricator is embodied in this and other chassis of the same make. Each consists of a spring-loaded ball contained in a casing, which is shaped to suit an oil gun provided in the tool kit of the vehicle. This type of lubricator is employed at all essential points, such as spring shackles.