Simplicity, Economy and Power in
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THE LATEST
THE Lightweight single-geared chain-driven machine, with two-cylindered double-acting engine, gave a favourable impression when it was introduced by the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., Shrewsbury, a little over a year ago, for it was extremely simple and economical, fast for solo work and powerful with a trailer. Our road test report, published on June 14, 1932, showed a surprisingly good performance.
It was realized that the silence of shaft drive would be an improve ment, and at the time the company was experimenting with an automatic mechanical stoker and feedwater regulator, which has since been brought into production form. These two features, together with a still more efficient engine and a twospeed gearbox, have now been incorporated in a lighter model to be called the 84 and the result is a transport unit of extreme interest.
The automatic stoker and water feed is, of course, an extra which need not be fitted, but it saves the necessity of an extra man. In our issue dated May 12, we published a description of the 54 and we have since githjeeted it to our standard form of road test.. The vehicle tested had the.-mechanical stoker and water feed, so we are able to report upon its functioning.
The engine of this new machine is a four-cylindered single-acting glandless unit, simpler than the twocylindered double-acting type and capable of being better balanced, so that it will run more smoothly and quietly over a greater range of speed. There are no stuffing boxes to keep in order and no steam or water can get into the crankcase. The adontipti'bt:the trtink type of —piston, whilst lightening. the engine, has -enabled glands aud::piStOn-rod packing to be avoided. -The engine is disposed axially in the frame.,
Apart from the new engine, the three main featiires of .tile 54 are itF lightness, the ecoaomy . in fuel and Water Consumption on the road, and, of course, the automatic stoker and water feed.
Lightness is obtained partly because the engine weighs only 9 cwt. (with gearbox, dynamo, lubricator and tyre pump), and partly because of the light frame and transmission. Shaft drive involves less weight