TESTING A 7-TONNER.
Page 11
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An Account of a Short Trial Run on the Latest Overtype Maudslay.
1 N OUR ISSUE for June 6th we published details of the improvements in the new 7-ton Maudslay, which is now provided with a 75 h.p. engine, as against the 60 h.p. type previously employed.
We were recently ariorded ah opportunity to participate in a, short run which was made by an example of this new vehicle for the purpose of conveying a load of 28 hogsheads of beer, each containing 56 gallons, making a total load of something over 74 tons. A start was made at the premises of the Lion Brewery Co., Ltd., in Belvedere Road, Lambeth, London, S.E., and the route lay across Westminster Bridge, along by the side of the river, then through some of the narrow back streets of Westmirlster, finally returning to the starting point.
Our first impression was one ot wonder at the remarkable pulling powers of the new engine, and we can almost describe the vehicle as a top-gear machine, as it could slow down almost to a walking pace in traffic and pick up again without changing down being necessary. The driver's cab, in which we were ensconced, proved particularly comfortable, and is well protected by a divided windscreen, the upper portions of which at each side can be adjusted to suit the convenience of those in the cab. The vehicle is, of course, of the overtype, the cab being built round the engine, and, although the day which we ■ chose for the run was a fairly warm one, we did not notice that the engine emitted much heat ; but we were informed by the driver that in cold weather the cab, which is almost enclosed, is rendered quite comfortable by the slight amount of heat which iii afforded by the power unit. •
The vehicle prcrved remarkably easy to manoeuvre in congested thoroughfares, and this is assisted by the large lock provided for the front wheels. One of our illustrations shows the vehicle man
'oeuvring into the narrow Westminster, of premises in Page Street, Westminster, which street is in itself fairly narrow. The wheels are shown at full lock.
We did not make any tests so far as petrol and oil consumption were concerned, as on this occasion we were chiefly interested in the employment of the vehicle in towns, although we understand that. very satisfactory results have been obtained with the engine, both as regards the power developed and the petrol consumption. The loading platform on this Maudslay is particularly long, and the vehicle is certainly well suited to the needs of the brewer and to others whose goods .are not only heavy, but require a large platform area: In fact, this feature is one of the outstanding merits of the overtype form of construction.