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A New Maudslay Passenger Chassis
Page 89
Page 90
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Forward Engine and Straight Frame Features of New Chassis Designed for Maximum, Capacity Single-deckers and Coaches
DESIGNED to obtain the maximum seating capacity on a chassis conforming with the regulations which restrict the overall length of a singledeck vehicle to 27 ft. 6 ins., a new model has been introduced by the Alaudslay Motor Co., Ltd., Parkside, Coventry. Knownas the S.F.40 model, the design of the major components follows closely that of the units used in the successful M.L.3-type chassis, but considerable modifications have been made in the layout and in the design of the frame.
The frame, consisting of two wellbraced parallel straight members, has been raised so as practically to eliminate the necessity of wheelarches inside
the body, and an underframe carries the engine, which has been kept as low as possible in the chassis and is supported at three points. The driver's compartment is in the same position as in the usual forward-control type of vehicle, but is more roomy, there being no wheelarch intruding.
By setting back the front axle to a point behind the engine and driver's cab, the area in front of the axle can now be included in the body space, and on the single-deck bus the door is situated on the near side and forward of the front axle. A feature of this new design is that the load on both axles is approximately the same, in consequence of which the front and rear springs are identical and could be interchanged if desired. By reason of the equal loading on both axles, the riding comfort is said to be much improved.
The engine has four cylinders with a bore and stroke of 4i ins. by 5* ins. Overhead valves are fitted and are operated by a single overhead camshaft.
A Borg and Beck singleplate clutch is provided and the drive is taken through an intermediate shaft, with two fabric joints, to a fourspeed-and-reverse gearbox.
From the gearbox a large-diameter tubular propeller shaft, with enclosed universal joints, carries the drive to an overhead-worm-type axle. Fully floating axle shafts transmit the drive to the road wheels.
The foot brake operates shoes in drums on all four wheels through the Dewandre three-servo system, and the hand lever applies, mechanically, the same shoes in the rear drums.
A Clayton Still tube radiator block is used, the radiator proper being under the bonnet, whilst a separate outer shell of modern and pleasing design is embodied in the front of the body. The radiator filler cap is situated inside the cab.
Due to the setting back of the front axle the wheelbase is but 15 ft., and a turning circle of 45 ft. is obtained. The price of the chassis with full equipment, including a 12-volt lighting set, electric and bulb horns, and a full kit of tools with an hydraulic jack, is £,795, The single-deck bus shown in an accompanying illustration seats 40 passengers, with all the seats facing forwards, and ample knee room is provided between the seats. The chassis lends itself to the reception of distinctive coachwork either of the coach or bus type, and, incidentally, body mounting is simplified by the use of a straight frame. Luggage accommodation can be provided at the sides and below the frame.