On show in Solihull
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SOME interesting developments were shown in a small exhibition at the IRTE conference.
Kysor was showing its automatic radiator shutter but, of perhaps more interest, the company told CM that it intends to use transducers in its engine alarm and shutdown system, making it much more compact. The company suggests that this arrangement could eliminate the need for conventional instruments, as audio or visual warning signals could be used with greater safety and it is possible to monitor almost any of the operating temperatures and pressures of a vehicle. This system would be designed for specific vehicles on request, at the manufacturing stage; it will not be available on existing vehicles.
As well as showing a thermostatically controlled fan (1), Dynair convincingly demonstrated the noise reduction which this allows, appropriately using a coach for the demonstration.
Automatic chassis lubrication systems were well represented, with exhibits from George Neville Truck Equipment Ltd (2) and from Interlube Systems Ltd (formerly Tecalemit). The former uses an electronic transistorized timing unit which the operator can set to lubricate the vehicle at intervals from five minutes to one hour, in fiveminute stages, while Interlube uses a mileage-controlled system — on its Airdromic Mk 3, for example, this gives one shot of oil per 1.6 km (1 mile).
With increasing interest in drawbar trailer operation, the Kettering firm of John R. Billows Ltd showed several components from the Swedish VBG company, including a range of automatic couplings. Included was a security drawbar (3) which the makers claim will eliminate total disconnection in the event of damage to the A-frame by a "belt and braces" arrangement using a sprung steel insert.
Pengco have a working example of I their new tail-lift for demountables (4). Being mounted on the chassis it can serve several bodies and so reduce capital investment.
A suspension system which aroused interest was the new Rydewell bogie (5) described in CM on April 5. This
tandem-axle unit has a 20-ton capacity and without wheels and tyres it weighs 1 .1 6 tonnes (1.14 tons). It uses rubber as the suspension medium.