A SIX-CYLINDER CHASSIS FROM AMERICA.
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Details of a New Federal Model which is Available in Several Lengths of Wheelbase.
SOME years ago American vehicles of Federal make won quite a geed 'reputation for -themselves in this country, but, as with many other chassis from this source, importation ceased during, or immediately after, the drastic slump which occurred in British trade. Now that the commercialvehicle industry is in a Comparatively flourishing condition it is honed by the present concessionnaire; "United Motors, Ltd., 27-34, Walnut Tree Walk, Ken7 nington, London, S.E.11, that a good market will be fotind for the new and greatly improved Federal chassis:
The most interesting model, in our opinion, is the six-Cylinder bus chassis, which is known as the T.7.W. We publish a photograph of this chassis, but as a standard model it will not be fitted with the single pneumatics shown ; the equipment will be singles at the front and twins at the rear, which will make a stronger appeal to users in this country; where the huge single pneumatic tyre is not yet extremely popular except on six-wheeled vehicles.
For a chassis of its quality, the price is certainly attractive, the long-wheelbase model for 28-passenger bodies costing £800 only, this including selfstarter, dynamo lighting, front wine's and bumper bar. It is -also marketed in short, medium, long and extra-long chassis lengths, prices ranging from £705 to £770, according to whether the
wheels be shod with pneumatic or solid tyres and to what chassis length is required. .
The engine utilized has a bore of 3i ins, and a stroke of 4i ins, and develops 65 h.h.p. at 2,700 r.p.m. . The crankshaftjournals are 2i. inst in meter and seven bearings are employed ; ignition, is by-coil and distributor and the carburetter is an American Zenith, equipped with an air filter. A centrifugal -gear-drivenpump circulates the cooling water. •
The engine and gearbox form separate units, the latter having central change: There are four forward speeds and a reverse.
The irreversible steering is of the cam-and-lever tybe, and the steering wheel has a diameter of 18 ins.
Hydraulically-, operated brakes with 16-in. by 21-in. shoes at the front and 16-in. by 31-in. shoes -at the rear take effect on all four wheels ; there is also two-shoe internal-expanding" brake acting on the transmission behind the gearbox.
Chassis lubrication is effected on the high-pressure grease-gun system.
An oval steel tank of 20 gallons
capacity, with a vacuum feed to the carburetter, is mounted under the driver's seat. This is another detail in which the chassis, as marketed, differe from the photographwhich • we publish below.
The 'chassis frame has pressed-steelchannel-section side members,' 16 ins.
deep, with flanges; the materinl being 4-in. thick.
'Timken taper-roller bearinp are provided for the drop-forged front aide. The final drive is by spiral-bevel, gear, having a standard ratio of 6 to 1 ;. incidentally; the axle clearance is 81 ins.
The appearance ofthe vehicle -isrenharmed by wheels of the spoke-disc pattern arranged for pneumatic tyresand east-steel 'spoke type for solids. . • The following chassis 'details may, be of interest :—Maximum load, 3 tons, excluding a body allowance of 11. ewt.; chassis weight, 2 tens 5 cwt.; wheelbase, short model 12 ft. 4 ins., medium model 13 ft. 5 ins:, long model -14 5 ins., extra-long model 15 ft. 5 ins.; loading space from driver's seat to end of frame, short model 10 ft., medium model 11 ft. 6 ins., long model 13 ft.
6 ins., extra-long model 15 ft.