New Fire-engine Carries Self-supporting Escape
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THE first of a number of new fire
appliances for Scandinavia has been completed by Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., Greenwich High Road, London, S.E.10. The basis is a Commer forwardcontrol chassis. At the rear of the body there is a rocking ramp on which a self-supporting fire escape can be lowered or raised from the ground.
In the travel position the escape is securely locked against movement. When the escape is required for action, the forward locking gear is released and a valve on the near-side control panel is opened. This allows a hydraulic cylinder to unload and the escape comes smartly down to ground level, its speed of descent depending upon the degree of opening of the valve.
To raise the escape to the travel position the wheels are first lined up and run on to the ramp. The operation of a hand pump supplies a centrally disposed hydraulic ram with oil under pressure, and through the agency of rope and pulley gear the ramp is raised.
When it is fully elevated, two automatic locks come into action at the rear and, as a further safeguard, the front end is locked manually. The weight of the escape is approximately 35 cwt.
The limousine body of the fire engine accommodates four firemen in addition to the driver and officer. Amidships is a 500-800 g.p.m. single-stage centrifugal water pump with suction-inlet, delivery-outlet and controls on both sides. There is ample room for hose and gear. With the exception of the Commer chassis, the whole outfit was designed and built by Merryweather.