"Clean and Clever" the Catch -d at the Cleansing Conference
Page 54
Page 55
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
pROOF that British manufacturers never rest in their progress towards the improvement of municipal motors, was offered at Scarborough, on Thursday of last week. The occasion, of course, was the exhibition and demonstration of public cleansing vehicles and appliances—part of the week's programme for the annual conference of the Institute of Public Cleansing.
On the open grassy space where the " stands" were, the scene was impressive; vehicles were of all shapes ard sizes, but had the common quality of businesslike appearance combined with modernity.
Nearly 60 vehicles, in all, were drawn up for inspection, whilst there were booths for exhibitors of appliances such as orderly barrows, litter receptacles, collecting bins and small items of A.R.P. equipment. The A.R.P. influence was to he seen everywhere, of course; every vehicle manufacturer had some model with decontamination or fire-fighting equipment.
The demonstration commenced in the early afternoon without any flourish or fanfare of trumpets, but immediately interesting and attractive, for three remarkably smart Morris-Commercials started to show their paces around the demonstration ground.
Of primary interest was the new Morris-Commercial Sigmund decontamination vehicle and street-washer, which constitutes a remarkable advance in such vehicles, and would be a valuable factor in defence. In action, the operatives remain in the cab throughout; the cab is quite gas-proof, with fan and filter, and all the quickaction controls for the equipment are near at hand.
The pump, on the job demonstrated, was driven by a J.A.P. engine, hut later models will have a Morris 8 h.p.
A36
ti-nit. It could be seen from the short demonstration that the vehicle has a splendid range for decontamination, and is quick, safe and efficient; it sprayed with astonishing force from front, sides and back, at all conceivable angles. The machine can tackle firefighting in emergency.
Two Thornycrofts were demonstrated, on. a Nippy dual-purpose refuse collector, and the other a Sturdy 19-22-cubic-yd. refuse collector. Both were shown to be sound types, well up to their work. The Sturdy had a Transport all-steel body with streamlined cab and moving floor.
Then came the Karrier show, which was definitely among the "bright spots." Half-a-dozen different types " spoke for themselves" and delighted the onlookers. A CK3 750-gallon gully-emptier, with Yorkshire equipment, did some neat work, and seemed equipped to handle anything in the way of hose work, cleaning and spraying.
The show was stolen, however, by a Colt refuse collector, which was driven around in extremely small circles. Then, surprisingly, the driver just stepped out, walked to the back, opened the doors without haste, closed them again, and stepped back into the Three smart Bedfords next took the stage. They were a 2-ton side loader, a 3-ton rear loader, with moving floor, and a decontamination vehicle with 200-300-gallon tank. All three demonstrated their capabilities without any fuss or difficulty.
The Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., Was well represented, as its equipment is used by so many manufacturers. However, the company had its own place in the programme and demonstrated two Thornycrofts and a Fordson, each with Eagle refuse-collection bodes. Most noteworthy, perhaps, was the Eagle Compressmore (shown on a Thornycroft ZE/TC4). Of 15-24cubic-yd. capacity, it had compressing gear and hydraulic plate discharge. The vehicle had a pleasing streamlined cab. Notably neat, and easy in operation, was the side-loading Derby body on the Fordson, with hydraulic endtipping gear. This outfit is easily adapted for A.R.P. work.
" The Scammells are coming" announced the gentleman in charge of the loud-speaker commentary on the display by that maker, and half-a-dozen immaculate vehicles came speedily on to the ground, in line formation. Neither did they lose any time in show
i rig °if their incredible manceuvrability; in fact, each one took every opportunity of revolving, twisting and turning! A mechanical horse with 1,250gallon street washer and A.R.P. equipment gave an impressive display, and refreshed the sweltering spectators when its powerful hoses were put into action. The new sweeper and collector was most favourably received and the extra operative looked very happy sitting in his trailer.
The climax of the Scammell demonstration was a clear proof of the quick and casy interchangeability of the motive units, The several types lined up iii7east, and at a signal they leapt forward, leaving their trailer attachments. In as short a time as it takes to tell, they were hack again, but each one hooked-up to a different • semitrailer Transport Engineering, Ltd., has already [teen mentioned, as Transport movina floors were incorporated on many vehicles. But the company had its own display, and this included complete bodies, these arousing favourable cornmeal , Excellent street washing, decontamination and fire-fighting appliances were shown by Dennis Brothers, Ltd. A 750-gallon gully-emptier seemed to lie equipped with everything connected with those three duties. Four other vehicles completed the Dennis show, and 21 15-cubic-yd. moving-floor refuse collector was notable in action; the body was an all-steel one and it was shown, when the doors were opened, to he completely galvanized inside.
Messis. John Sherwood showed their -Ideal vehicles in several forms. One a Slieltlex electric vehicle (15-25 cubic yds. capacity) and it was clearly demonstrnied how containers are emptied dustlesslv into the body, the lastmerit ioned then being rotated for compression.
Everyiine admired the new and quite unorthodox Lewin refuse vehicle, which came next. The short demonstration ii gave was most effective; so small is the amount of work involved, that the demonstration could not have been much more comprehensiVe. Dustless fowling and discharge are given without tipping.
Not. in the programme, but appearing as large as life, were very good Austin exhibits. One was a 600-gallon gully and cesspit emp!ier and de.contantination vehicle. This, as a matter of fact, is used in the Austin works, which, after all, is almost a town! The other was a refuse collector with A.R.P. tank. This was, of course, Austin's first appearance at the event. They are working in conjunction with the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., on these municipal vehicles.
Other extra-programme demonstrators were Fordson and Electricar. The former showed three types, all with Eagle equipment. Particularly interesting and novel was an inexpensive A.R.P. outfit on a 2-ton Thames: The pump was driven off the rear wheel, when jacked up.
Electricar vehicles were mounted with orthodox refuse-container bodies, and in demonstration they were seen to he efficient, simple and silent.