Dennis-Portland.
Page 46
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Motor Coach.
Lorry. 2 ton Chassis.
STAND No. 37.
AVEHICLE which has made its debut at the Show is the new DennisPortland, three examples of which, a two ton chaasis, a two ton lorry„ and a 20-seater char-a-banes, are being exhibited.
The cha-sis are constructed for the company by Dennis Bros., Ltd., of Guildford, Dennis-Portland Ltd. being the sole concessionnaires for the type in this country. It is made in two wheelbases, 12 ft. for ordinary work, and 13 ft. for chars-a-basics. It has a distinguished appearance, which is enhanced by the rounded radiator and pressed steel scuttle dash. The power unit employed is of the T-headed type, four-cylinderad, with the cylinders cast in pairs, the bore being 105 mm. and the stroke 150 mm., developing 31 b.h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m. No governor being provided, the engine can be accelerated up to 1,600 r.p.m., with a consequently great increase in the prover developed. The cooling water is circulated through the water jackets and castaluminium-header-and-bottom-tank type radiator by a centrifugal pump. The radiator is supported on rubber-lined trunnions in order to isolate it, so far as possible, from the effects of vibration and frame torsion. Forced feed lubrication is employed, and the whole engine as held in a three-point suspended sub
frame, which prevents stressing of the crankcase and crankcase arms.
A single-plate clutch, in which the driving plate is supported on roller bearings and engages with two Ferodo rings; conveys the drive through a clutch shaft to a three-point suspended four-speedand-reverse gearbox, which is supported by two arched cross members. The clutch withdrawal mechanism is particularly' neat, consisting of a sliding sleeve operating three toggle levers which depress springloaded pins in the clutch casing. All the important parts are enelosed and self-lubricating, the surplus oil being prevented from coming into contact with the friction, surfaces.
Behind the gearbox is a powerful footbrake with an adjusting screw, which projects downwards and outwards to within easy reach of a person standing at the side of the chassis. Spliflee ara cut at each end of the propeller shaft, and chats carry two universal joints of the completely enclosed annular ball race type. The final drive is by an overhead worm, the worm gear and differential are carried by the cover of the 'pot type, oast-steel housing, and can be lifted with.. out taking off or jacking up the Wheale.
An important point about the construe-, 'tion of this chassis is that the frame has been kept comparatively narrow, so that it is possible to obtain a large lock, which gives, in the case of the lorry chassis, a turning circle of 46 ft., and with the passenger chassis of 50 ft.
Springing has been carefully studied, and the whole chassis is powerful, smooth running, and easy riding.