A Crane That Needs No Safety Devices
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Fordson Tractor as the Basis of a Mobile Pneumatic . Lifting Device Which Combines Simplicity of Construction with High Efficiency
There are no winches or chains in the Stanhay pneumatic crane, neither are there any safety devices. The insurance premium is half that payable on other types.
ACRANE in which the need for fitting any form of safety device has not been felt is somewhat unusual in itself, but the whole mechanism represents an interesting departure for -appliances of this kind.
Designed by Mechanical Developments, Ltd., I, Garlinge Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, and developed in conjunction with the maker, Stanhay, Ltd., Ashford, Kent, . this new lifting device operates by compressed air. The crane has a Fordson tractor as its basis and mounted upon this is a channel-steel superstructure carrying the jib, a cast-iron power cylinder at the rear, and two air pressure tanks; one on each side Of • the cylinder_ • There is a small' air 'compressor mounted on the off side of the tractor, where it is belt driven from a power take-off shaft. The compressed-air unit, which has a bore, and stroke of. 18 ins., has its piston rod connected directly to a system of bell-crank levers, and these, in turn, are joined to the jib through the medium of stlbstantial tie-rods.
Air pressure applied to the piston pushes the piston rod upwards and the bell-crank levers, through the medium of the tie-rods, draw the jib upwards about a forward pivotal point arranged at 'the top of the superstructure.
This new crane possesses quite a number of outstanding features. For instance, any lad who can drive a Fordson tractor can work, it with ease; with its load of, a ton it 'can be
manipulated with a high degree of precision; it can pick up a load and take it inside a building with its jib retained at any angle within its limits; • as a means for stacking it is particularly useful; as a tractive unit, pure and simple, it has a towing_ capacity of 10 tons.
One use to which this crane could be put at the present time would be in connection with the removal of the thousands of road blocks, as it would, in a great measure, solve the labour. shortage problem.
The distributor for England of this pneumatic crane is Joseph C. Mount and Co., Stevenage Wharves, Stevenage Road, Fulham, London, S.W.6, from which further information can be „obtained.