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TOPPING THE SCORE

THE stage for the 1964 Commercial Motor Show is set, and looking down the list of trailer exhibitors we see that two familiar names are missing— those of the Eagle Engineering Co. Ltd. and The Pressed Steel Co. Ltd. But three new names are present: they are Highway Trailers (Great 'Britain) Ltd., Multiwheelers (Commercial Vehicles) Ltd. and Merriworth Engineering Co. Ltd., writes R. D. Cater.

Indications given by the models shown by the bulk of the trailer companies are that there will be a predominance of tandem-axle units coming on to our highways in the next few months. This trend, arises largely from the effect of the new Construction and Use Regulations, which of course, favour this type in that payloads in the region of 20 tons will be the order of the day. It is not surprising, therefore, that most of the companies concerned are designing along these lines.

Favourite for a number of years, the twin-oscillating axle layout has not come out as well in the new regulations as it might have done, and it is generally thought that this type will go into a gradual decline, except in cases of individual customer requirement where the need is for capacity and not tonnage. It is significant that the British Trailer Co. Ltd., for many years the champion of this design, with its Four-in-Line, will be showing a tandem-axle unit, although not on its own stand. B.T.C. will show also several Four-in-Line units which the company claims are still in demand.

One of the largest capacity, straightframe semi-trailers to be seen will be a 23-ton tandem shown. by Boden Trailers Ltd. on stand 106, and one of the smallest, a 2-ton 5-cwt: unit 'manufactured

by Dixon-Bate Ltd. (Stand 125), for use with a Land-Rover.

There will be a surprise for tanker people from Crane Fruehauf Trailers Ltd., which will exhibit its first production tanker—a 4,000-gal., five-compartment spirit tank mounted on F.2 running gear on Stand 66. Also from this company comes, again for the first time at Earls Court, a frameless van of 16-ton capacity, this to be shown on Stand 137.

A Really Big One

A monster to be shown on Stand 65 by R. A. Dyson and Co. Ltd. is a drawbar low-loader built for the Electrical Authority, of Cyprus, incorporating removable and adjustable swan necks at both ends. Motorized hydraulic jacks permit the centre bed to be lowered to the ground, and also adjust the travelling height to three different ground clearances. In addition to this, the bed can be raised .to a position of 30 in. above the ground to facilitate off-loading on to a plinth or raised platform.

Both bogies can be hand steered and the trailer can be towed from both ends; as the bogies can he turned through 90, the trailer can be manceuvred sideways. A detachable deck is provided which fits over the bed, converting the trailer to a straight deck model for transporting long loads. A TIR unit known as the Newloader and rated at 22-ton carrying capacity will also be shown by Dyson. This measures 32 ft. by 8 ft. 2.1 in. and is fitted with an adjustable-position kingpin and adjustable landing gear to enable the operator to couple to either twoor three-axle tractive units without fouling the chassis.

One of the most interesting trailers to be seen at this show is one built as a joint venture by Dyson and Fodens Ltd. This is a tandem-wded unit with the frame designed and built by Dyson and the running gear designed and built by Foden. The running gear is the Foden two-leaf spring design that was first shown at the 1962 Commercial Motor Show, but equipped with trailing axles. This is a big step forward from the engineer's point of view if only that he can now get a tractor-trailer unit with identical hub assemblies.

A number of air suspensions will be seen this year and the important thing here is that they will all be improved versions of something seen before. Also to be seen will be a number of running gears fitted with disc brakes. Companies showing these are Crane Fruehauf. Dyson, Taskers of Andover (1932) Ltd. and Carrimore Six Wheelers Ltd. A number of manufacturers are to show models mounted on low profile tyres and among these will be a new tanker running gear by Carrimore which has both disc brakes and low profiles.

A special low-loader from Taskers is the Hydro-couple, which is a drop-frame machinery carrier. Having a hydraulically lowered and detached swan-neck. one-man operation is achieved together with quick turn-round times.

No Nose-dive

A fifth-wheel automatic coupling trailer with a new type of landing gear which is fitted well forward to prevent nose diving and is designed to retract automatically when the tractive unit is coupled to the trailer, will also be shown by Taskers, as will a sectioned fifthwheel coupling and a model of a prime mover and trailer showing the D.S. automatic coupling working.

A first-timer at Earls Court this year is IvIerriworth Engineering Ltd., and this company will be showing examples of its Auto-Fifth coupling trailer, an oscillating-axle 16-tonner with rubber suspension and a 30-ft.-long, 20-ton-capacity tandem fitted with a non-reactive bogie equipped with B.P.W. heavy-duty axles

fitted with 161-in. by 8-in.-wide brakes and at the Anchor-Lock, spring-operated parking brakes. A good feature about this unit is the triple-speed landing gear.

Mobile Display

Among the specials to be seen this year will be a mobile exhibition outfit from Carrimore. This vehicle has everything, including a kitchen sink, and has been built for the Massey-Ferguson organization. Consisting of a step-frame semi-trailer with a single axle, hauled by an Albion tractive unit, the brakes are two-line, air operated with Girling centrepull 14-in. by 31-in.-wide brake units. Tyre equipment is Michelin " X " 8.25-17 and the body is built with the sides constructed to let down and form • extra floor space. Outer panels open upwards to form the roof. The rear of the trailer body forms a full-length tailboard, which when lowered becomes an entry ramp and is fitted with hand rails. All these extensions are spring balanced and can very easily be raised and lowered by one man. On the forward upper deck of the step-frame is housed a well furnished office, with heating and cooking arrangements, serviced by Calor gas.

A well-type roof forms a demonstration platform and mounted on extensions from the chassis, and proic:ting through c34 the well-deck, a Hiab crane, with power supplied from a p.t.-o. on the tractive unit, is intended for use in lifting the equipment which is to be demonstrated on and off the vehicle.

Also included in the equipment on this vehicle are a public address system, a tape recorder and electric lighting, the power for which is obtained from a 11 kVA. 50-cycle, single-phase, petrolengine-driven generator. For the many other pieces of equipment carried. storage space is provided underneath the trailer floor. This vehicle has been designed for use overseas and the dimensions are 40 ft. long by 8 ft. wide.

To Carry Ingots

An ingot carrier by Crane Fruehauf, one of a number built for Colvilles Ltd., will be shown in chassis form. This unit is for internal transport only, and has a capacity of 80 tons. A 25-ton lowloader will also be on show, as will a standard 20-ton T1R semi-trailer, fitted in this instance with Goodyear Super Singles and mechanically-operated Dunlop. disc brakes. Crane Fruehauf will also show a suspension unit from a 200-ton j-transporter as well as several other,pieces of equipment.

Car-transporter bodywork by Carrimore will be shown mounted on a Com mer FC14 17-ft. 11-in, wheelbase lour-wheeler, and a car-transporter semitrailer model will also be shown. This will be the standard Carrimorc type, which has been produced in large numbers over the past 10 years.

A number of frameless vans from "several companies will be on show. Among these will be a Pedigree 16-20-ton modelb from Taskers, which will have the non-reactive bogie announced earlier this year. York will be showing versions of the Freightmaster and City van with capacities of 16-20 tons and 10-12 tons respectively. The tandem running gear of the Freightmaster will be the new T.A. type. Boden Trailers Ltd. will show the frameless van released by the company recently: this will be a single-axle, I4-ton model. •

Kneeling Trailer

Charles Pitt (Barton Stacey) Ltd. will be exhibiting three trailers and a running gear on Stand 143 and among these will be the Pitt Foretode, which is-an AllAlign, twin-oscillating-axle model with a capacity of 16 tons, The landing gear of this semi-trailer is so designed that it allows the front of the trailer, after being detached from the tractive unit, to be lowered to ground level, so forming a loading ramp. When the load is in position the landing gear is extended and repositions the trailer for coupling to the tractive unit. All this only takes a very short .time. This exhibit will be shown working. Pitt will also show a 17-20-ton, tandem-axle semi-trailer (of which a number" are being built for British Road Services) and for the first time, a new airsuspension, suitable for imposed loads Of up to 20 tons.

As departure from generally accepted HR trailers, York will be showing its Envoy rooflegs van, which is designed to operate at 32 tons g.t.w.. and.will be 33 ft. long by 8 ft. 2* in. wide. Being 12.ft. 313., in. high, the unit conforms with the overall height requirements of certain European countries. Removable hoops spaced at 2 ft. centres support a shortsided tilt. An alloy ladder is provided to enable the sealing " strop " to be fitted to the rail, which is spaced at In in. from the top of the body as the regulations require. The trailer will have a 5-ft-wide door in the near side which will extend to the level of the sealing rail, enabling the door to be opened without disturbing the tilt. A header rail across the top of the rear opening of the trailer is hinged at both sides and can be taken right out

to facilitate loading. Double rear doors complete the closure of this part of the body. This trailer will have • T.A. suspension. .

A number of coil carriers will he seen on various stands. Highway Trailers (Great •Britain) Ltd. will show on Stand

141 a 16-ton version that has an unladen weight of 3 tons 16 cwt. , The well is " vee " shaped to allow coils up to 6 ft. 6 in. diameter to be carried. Coil well covers are manufactured with alloy frames so that they are not too heavy for one man to handle. Highway will also show a tandem with a new type of spring,

which will follow closely the shape of conventional leaf-springs, but will be of solid construction. Of• 20-ton carrying capacity; the unit will be fitted with Goodyear Super Singles and 161-in. by 7-in, brakes with Centrifuse drums, Alloy Coil Carrier

Another interesting coil carrier .which is a joint effort: of Pitt . Trailers and Duramin Ltd., will he seen on the Pitt

• stand. • This unit. will be built in light alloy and mounted on the Pitt N.R.M.F. bogie. One other coil carrier will be shown by B.T.C.

Standard straight-frame tandems will be seen on the stands of almost every maker. Among 'these, Brockhouse and Co. Ltd. will have on Stand 63 a maximum-capacity model with a nonreactive bogie. .and a body built by Longton Transport Equipment Co. Ltd. of Stoke-on-Trent. Also on. the, stand of Brockhouse will be a 12-ton automatic coupling semi-trailer equipped with Dunlop Pneuride air suspension and a

Brockhouse Interchangeable, noncollapsible forecarriage. A twinoscillating-axle bogie mounted on 10-0020 16-ply tyres and fitted with I51-in. by .41-in. brakes and a tandem-axle bogie similar to the one on the tandem semitrailer shown, complete this company's exhibits.

Varied Uses

A municipal salvage trailer, a toolcarrying trailer, a Camel trailer and a new low-loading trailer will be seen on the stand (127) of M. F. Robertshaw of

Bletehley, Bucks. The Camel trailer is designed to carry both goods and liquid loads at the same time and was exhibited at the last Commercial Show.

Among the new trailer designs is one from Hands (Letchworth) Ltd. '.This is a completely new unit, having been built With the object of reducing •unladen weight, Hands wilt alsd be showing a new automatic coupling; which incorporates safety. measures against collapse when being landed, and also automatic braking, effective when landing or in the event of a break-away,

Off-the-road Abilities The diminutive pole-carrying trailer to he shown by Dixon-Bate Ltd. (Stand 125) opens up a field (previously untapped) for the Land-Rover as an articulated vehicle. This unit handles poles up to 45 ft. long with ease and because'of its low height can be loaded easily by two men. Once loaded, the outfit (being four-wheel drive) has a very high off-theroad capability and can usually be driven right on to a site even under bad weather conditions.

Another good off-the-road outfit is the Bushmaster trailer which will be shown by Scottorn Ltd. on Stand 126. Used in conjunction with a Land-Rover,, this unit has a driven axle, is capable of going over almost any sort of ground and provides a carrying capacity of 11 tons. This companywill also be showing a 5-8-cwt. two-wheeled trailer, the body, of which is manufactured in reinforced plastics, and another of -}-ton capacity. Of. interest to all operators of articulated vehieles, the Hope anti-jack-knife device can be seen on the stands of the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Co. Ltd. and• W. P. Butterfield (Engineers) Ltd.

(337 and 95 respectively). The unit on the last mentioned. Stand will be fitted to a :tanker. produced for the Scottish haulage company of. James .Hemphill Ltd. This installation will show that not a' great deal of. space is required to

accommodate the equipment. The device is basically a disc brake, the disc being fitted to the semi-trailer kingpin, which is allowed to rotate in .a sleeve fitted through the Tubbing plate. The kingpin and disc are held in the fifth wheel. through a lug which locates in the lead-up " vee ", and a self-energizing brake pad assembly and the air. system which

actuates it are fitted to the semi-trailer above the coupling pad. As the vehicle brakes are applied, the same air pressure operates the friction pads of the brake assembly and this gives a steadying effect on any unwanted moves the trailer might make.

Tests carried out in 1963, by this journal proved the device to be very effective, and although not claiming to eliminate jack-knifing completely, it certainly reduces the risk considerably.

There is plenty of evidence that the progress in design of semi-trailers seer in the past few ycars is continuing, anc with the new C. and U. Regulation! favouring the artic, there is room for I. lot more ideas and developments.