Ground-level loaders of novel design
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• A new ground-level-loading range of trailers and semi-trailers is to be announced shortly by yet another engineering company which is diversifying its activities and sees a potential in the special trailer market, writes R. D. Cater.
The company, Becorit (Engineering) Ltd., of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has hitherto been concerned with the production of mining machinery.
A leading-and-trailing arm assembly forms the basis of both the suspension and the raising and lowering system. These units are mounted on pivots at their outer ends, the inner end of each arm carrying the hub assembly. Situated vertically abOve each pivot point, a laminated leaf-spring is arranged to receive loading away from the centre of the bogie.
A retracting hydraulic ram forms a strut between the two springs and when the hydraulic pressure is released the ram extends, allowing the suspension assemblies to tilt fore and aft, which in turn allows the pivot points in relation to the stub-axle centres to lower. It will be seen from the sketch that this permits the body to attain ground level for easy loading.
Because there is no linkage between the chassis and suspension other than through the main pivots, and no inter-connection between the wheels on each side of the vehicle, the system provides for a wide range of articulation in the bogie, making it particularly suitable for use on uneven surfaces.