A Washing Plant with a
Page 53
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Swash-plate Pump
IN these days it is sometimes uneconomical to wash a vehicle by direct supply from the mains and it often happens that sufficient pressure is unobtainable from the local pipe -lines. If the pressure be low the rapid removal of caked mud from a vehicle is impossible.
To counter these difficult conditions an interesting type of washing plant, known as the Ilydraulux, has been put upon the market by Messrs. Williams and James, of Gloucester. Several types are sold, to suit conditions in various districts.
The design comprises a massive hedplate, carrying the electric motor—or other driving unit—and the pump, which is of the awash-plate type. The connection between the two main parts is by triple V-section belts, a tension adjustment being provided. The electric motor is a 2 b.h.p. ball-bearing machine, semi-enclosed, with an Ironclad switch and starter.
All parts of the ...pump which come into contact with water are of stainless-steel, gunmetal or phosphor-bronze. The pump is of the six-throw type, with solid gunmetal cylinders and plungers, whilst the ball-ended steel rods work in phosphor-bronze sockets. Thrust is taken by a ball-headed pin, which also locates the awash-plate.' Angular motion is imparted to the plate by means of an inclined Crank forming part of the driving shaft; the last-named runs in ball hearings. When one or both of the guns are not in action an automatic unloader comes into operation. This is of solid gunmetal and short-cirznits the water supply. A rotary distributor valve passes the water to the rams of the pump as required.
An adjustment is provided for regulating the water supply ; normally the pressure is between
300 lb. and 350 lb. By suitable setting the guns will give either high-pressure cutting jets or a fine spray.
TVith 15 ft of armoured hose the one-gun outfit costs 157, or with two guns £63. If desired a petrol engine can be supplied in lieu of the electric motor ; another plan is to purchase only the pump.