Dodges Modified for 17f-ton Loads
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rOMPLETE with , light-alloy bodies
• and tipping gear, two eight-wheelers operated by Bradgate Quarries, Ltd., Nun ney, Somerset, have kerb weights of only 6,1 tons each. This permits In tons to be carried. The 24-ton-gross vehicles are basically Dodge forward-control 7tonners with second steering axles added by the Primrose Third Axle Co,, Ltd., and trailing rear axles by Henry Boys and Son, Ltd.
The Dodges are powered by Leyland 0.350 5.76-litre oil engines and have the standard five-speed constant-mesh gearbox with direct-top gear. To offset the limited engine power (100 b.h.p. at 2,200 r.p.m. and 255 lb.-ft. torque at 1,400 r.p.m.), each vehicle-has an Eaton 18,500 two-speed driving head in its single driven axle.
The air-pressure-assisted hydraulic braking system, which is an optional fitting on the Dodge 7-tonner, is extended to operate on all four axles.
In the West Country, the eight-wheelers are said to return II m.p.g. on one-way laden working but this improves to 14 m.p.g. in less hilly areas.
Bradgate Quarries also have four Dodge 7-tonners converted to sixwheelers. They are divided between singleand twin-steer models. Primrose carried out the twin-steer modification whilst Boys fitted trailing axles to the others.
All the vehicles were supplied by Coventry and' Jeffs, Ltd., Bristol. The light-alloy bodywork was built by Kingswood Commercial Bodies, and the twinram tipping gear is an Edbro-B. and E. product.