Motorvan Transport at Motorcycle Cost.
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TICONOMICAL transport is the order of the day, whether for 15-ton loads, or for a load Weighing but so. many pounds. It stands to reason that a tradesman who has only light parcels, or the like, to deliver, can satisfactorily attain his end when _using the smallest and most econotnicld means of transport possible. Often the demands of the greengrocer, butcher, •laundryman, milkman and other retail tradesmen do not warrant the use of a 15-cwt. or 1-ton van for the whole or part of the delivery and collection work entailed in the running of his business and something smaller is required. To meet the requirement of light delivery work the Whitley Manufacturing Co., Ltd., of Coventry, has devized what is. known as a stabilized motorcycle trailer, the design of which forms the subject of a patent. With a capacity of approximately 51 cu. ft., the van is 4 ft. 6 ins. long, 3 ft. 6 ins, wide and
3 ft. whilst a truck with dropend, which is an alternative type of body, has the same floor dimensions but the sides are 1 ft. 6 ins. high only. These are the standard dimensions, but additional lengths and
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heights are available at slightly extra cost. Turning to a consideration of the chassis and the method of fixing to the motorcycle, two right-angle high-tensile steel drawbars are fixed to the body, and a rig-up for a cross-head is arranged on the rear of the motorcycle by means of a trussed platform, to the centreof which the drawbars are attached by a pin joint. The drawbars are connected to the cross-head by means of four large bolts, two of which take the pull, whilst the other two move in slots thereby allowing for any road. inequalities or obstructions. The bodies are mounted on laminated ear springs and a load of 6 cwt. can be propelled without upsetting the stability of the motorcycle. In addition to the attractive prices of Y34 1.5s. for the van and £31 10s. for the truck, it is interesting to note that the annual tax for either attachment is 1 only. The makers are The Whitley Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Atlantic Works, Tharefield Road, Coventry.