A NEW CLAYTON STEAM WAGON.
Page 16
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The First Step Towards the Post-war Model.
TILE POPULARITY Of the Clayton steam wagon has induced the manufacturers, Messes. Clayton and Shfittleworth, Ltd., Stamp End Works, Lincoln, to push ahead with their developments in connection with the production. of their post-war model, and we are able to illustrate a vehicle Which has just been completed and supplied to the Lincoln Foundry, the design of which includes some of the features which will be incorporated in the model to be placed on the .market after the war.
In the circumstances our description of the postwar, model cannot be full or complete, but there arc many who are confident that the time is not very far distant when peace-time activities can be resumed, and then we shall hope to be able to • deal more thoroughly with what we are convinced will prove to be a most efficient vehicle.. • The advantages which follow from the use of the overtype design of motor wagon are maintained, but it is fully appreciated that the future activities of the Local Government Board are likely to move in the direction of a reduction of axle weights, an improvement of brakes, a betterment of the driver's view of the road, and also an improvement in steering gear. It has not been possible, owing to the exacting calls• upon the works for war requirements, to develop the whole of the improvements to the full extent which
• the directors of the company have in view, but whilst the well-known design of the Clayton steam wagon has not largely been departed from, there has been ,a considerable reduction in the totals weight, especially of the rear axle and its detail parts.
' The rear axle is reduced in diameter in the portion between the bearings, and the rear wheel attachments are modified to reduce weight. An expanding rim brake is provided on each rear wheel. These are operated by a foot lever near the steersman's seat, and a very neat arrangement of compensating attach. reent between the two brakes is provided. The water tank does not project over the rear axle but is carried well forward. . The position of the driver is raised, and obstructions to the driver's., view are cleared away as far as possible. From the upper illustration it will be noted that the view from the driver's seat is very clear, the man on the road in the illustration being only 3-ft. in .front of thertwo front wheels of the wagon. A feed water heater is provided in the wagon smoke box, • and on trial runs the fuel economy has been excellent. Road wheels are provided with interchangeable felloes, having steel tyres and rubber tyres respectively, so that either arrangement may be adopted according to the job for which the vehicle for the time being is required, and the speed at which it is required to travel.
In the early future we hope to be able to give de-. tails of the fuel consumption on steel and rubber tyres, and we feel sure that the further developments anticipated in connection with this make of wagon will be looked forward to with interest.
The vehicle, which is in the service of Messrs. Harrison and Co. (Lincoln), Ltd., the well-known founders, has given complete satisfaction during the short time that it has been running.