"Artic " Biscuit Vans for Overnight Loading
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QIX biscuit vans, based on semi-trailer chassis, have been supplied by the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., Warwick, to McVitie and Price, Ltd., Harlesden. London, N.W.10, for use with three Morris Commercial short wheel base tractors with Seammell couplings.
Overnight loading of a 'semi-trailer enables the tractor driver to make an early start on his delivery run the following day, and when the bay is vacated it is used for loading a second semi-trailer. When biscuits are delivered locally in bulk, the same tractor may be used for two runs in the day.
The body has a length of 16 ft. 8 in.. a width of 7 ft. 6 in. and aladen height of 10 ft. 6 in., whilst the overall length of the tractor and trailer 19 27 ft. It is designed to carry 911 full tins and 350 empties.
Weatherproofed roller shutters are fitted on the near side at the front and at the rear. The body is panelled internally with steel sheet and slatted to accommodate loose, spring-loaded battens, which are stowed in a box below the floor when not in use. The interior is divided about 5 ft. from the front by a pair of slatted hinged gates with centre-bolt fixing.
The frame is constructed of hardwood and has intermediate steel bows. Exterior panelling is of -Pic-in. Plymax material, and the roof has Perspex corner lights at the front and sides. A 12v. battery. hou‘cl in a cradle under the chassis, supplies three interior lights. one at the front and two at the rear.
Other details include a roof ventilator, steps for both doors and a grab rope inside the front door. Four rubber c I 0 bumper pads are fitted near floor level at the rear.
Hollow rubber springs are attached to the underside of the chassis opposite the centre of the beam axle and act in conjunction with progressive semielliptic leaf springs.