A VEHICLE FOR HANDLING HEAVY LOADS.
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Some Details of a Specially Equipped A.D.C. Platform Lorry.
AN A.D.O. Model 507 chassis for 6-ton loads has recently been equipped with a special body and gear for dealing with electrical and other heavy machinery. The various details have been evolved by the Pelican Engineering Co. (Sales), Ltd., Apson Chambers, 68, Albion Street, Leeds, in conjunction with the transport engineers of the Yorkshire Electric Power Co. So successful has been the joint effort that this vehicle will deal most effectively with transformers weighing 6 tons, the loading being effected by hauling these up ramps 12 ft. long, so that the gradient is not excessive,
These ramps themselves are of a special trussed form, and whilst being light are immensely strong.
The winch gear is situated at the forward end of the platform immediately behind the cab and it is operated by power derived from the engine through a take-off on the gearbox lid, there being suitable reduction gear by worm and worm wheel. The drive is taken to the winch shaft by means of a heavy roller chain.
The controlling of the loading and Unloading operations is exceedingly simple. The driver remains in his cab and can. regulate the winding in accordance with any instructions signalled or otherwise conveyed to him, a window in the cab enabling him to glance to the rear.
Owing to the platform space available, apart from that occupied by the winch and its gear, the vehicle is quite useful as a general-purpose lorry, but, ef course, the fitting of the 3-ton winch renders the vehicle of the greatest use when loads of heavy and delicate machinery have to be carried.
The height of the platform from the pound with the vehicle unladen is only 2 ft. 10 ins., and the floor is constructed of oak planks stiffened with steel and fitted directly on to the chassis frame.
This' is, in our opinion, an unusually interesting type of vehicle which meets a definite need and it should prove very popular for its particular purpose, whilst the same principle might well be employed to meet the transport needs of many other tradea.
There are many eases in which vehicles are provided for dealing with heavy loads, but there is always the problem of getting the load on to and off the platform. Various devices have been placed on the market for facilitating this work, but not all are so practicable as this.