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Scottish co-operative gets first modified Fleedine
Page 64
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TMPROVEMENTS have been intro
duced on all Daimler Fleetline chassis produced since September, and the first complete bus to incorporate these has now entered service with W. Meney, member of the Ayrshire Bus Owners (Al Service) Ltd. co-operative in Scotland. The improvements have resulted in a new model, the Mk. 4A, announced by Daimler Transport Vehicles Ltd. this week.
The main improvements in the Fleetline Mk. 4A are a changed steering ratio; repositioned front shock absorbers and air system reservoir tanks; a 12 cu.ft. per min. capacity compressor; re-positioned exhaust silencer; and a strengthened transfer-box output shaft in the transmission.
A steering ratio of 40: 1 has been adopted (formerly 33: 1), an improvement already standard on the 33ft Fleetline; it results in lighter steering, with an increase of only three-quarters of a turn from lock to lock.
The re-positioned front shock absorbers are mounted on a cross-tube forward of the front axle, and are connected to the road spring top plates by Metalastik-bushed links. This makes possible a wide entrance to the lower saloon, free of the foot-stools which were previously required on most vehicles to shroud the shock absorbers. The new position also increases the vehicle's roll resistance and allows better access to the units for servicing.
Both air system reservoir tanks have been re-positioned on the offside of the chassis frame in the bay immediately to the rear of the fuel tank. This modification makes it easier to provide a central exit which is becoming popular with the advent of the o-m-o double-deck bus. The auxiliary tank now contains two chambers like the main tank, which means that an additional air reservoir has been introduced which "backs up" all three air circuits should their pressure drop below the required minimum.
A 12 cu.ft./min capacity compressor with water-cooled cylinder head has now been adopted as standard. Units of either Clayton Dewandre or Westinghouse manufacture are available according to the customer's choice.
The exhaust silencer has been re-positioned to give a better air flow between itself and the base board sited immediately forward of the engine bulkhead, thus decreasing the amount of heat dissipated to the coachwork.
Detail improvements to the Dairnatic epicyclic semi-automatic gearbox include the fitting of polyacrylic piston seals. An increase in air pressure from 80 to 90 lb.sq.in. has been incorporated for gearbox band clamping. New methods in their manufacture are claimed to extend the life of the annulus gears and the thrust ring. Rollers have been introduced to replace the balls which previously actuated the top-gear clutch.