Accent on Safety
Page 54
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in Semi-trailer
LTHOUGH it is a low-loader, a I-125-ton semi-trailer recently designed and built by Carrimore Six Wheelers, Ltd., North Finchley, London, N.12, to the specification of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, has no provision for quickly dropping out the axles. as is customary on Carrimore vehicles of this type. For tyre replacement each double-wheel assembly can. of course, be removed. Michelin 14.00-in. G.20 metallic tyres are fitted, two spare wheels and tyres being mounted behind the cab on Kennedy and Kemp winch carriers.
To meet the highest possible limits of safety, Carrimore decided to fit Girling 151-in. by 7-in, two-leading-shoe brakes with Clayton Dewandre two-pipe-line actuating gear. A feature of these brakes is that the reaction-plate seatings are steel castings keyed and hydraulically pressed on to the axles.
There are three separate controls for the brakes, the pedal and a lever on the steering column for air-pressure application, and a hand wheel on the near side of the semi-trailer for applying the brakes mechanically.
There is strong evidence of solidity in the main-frame construction, in which six 10-in. by 3i-in. channel members are used in the frame longitudinals of the well. Four of these are built up with 71-in. by 1-in. plate to form box sections. There are four 9-in. by 31-in. channel-section cross-members, the rearmost member being of 12-in. by 31-in. section. The vehicle is 8 ft. wide and the well 12 ft. long.
The raised deck, which is II ft. 1 in. long, has five 9-in. by 3-in, and two 8-in. by 31-in, cross-members, both D 1 2 decks being covered with Supergrip mild-steel chequer plate. Along the full length of the lower deck are four T-slotted rails, two similar rails being fitted on the raised deck.
These rails are provided so that the load can be secured by T-hcaded bolts, the pitch of the rails being suitable for standard containers. Enclosing the main deck are substantial guard rails,
the side members of which are readily removable.
The semi-trailer and the A.E.C. Mammoth Major Mk. III tractor are permanently coupled, the turntable having a 4-in.-diameter pin. Pressure is taken on a Ferodo anti-friction ring.
It is understood that the outfit wilt be used by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, Berks.