The Latest German Mechanical Horse
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THE "mechanical-horse " idea has definitely found favour in Germany. The Commercial Motor has already described briefly the small Primus oil-engined tractor, and now another mechanical horse, which has been inspired by the British types, is being manufactured by Messrs. Rellfix.
The trailer is attached to the tractor by the Dutch Jumbo ball coupling, a simple device that allows the firm attachment of the trailer to the tractor at all angles. This secure fixing is said to increase the efficiency, especially of a small-capacity engine, as the bumps occurring with the spring-type attachment are claimed to be prejudicial to the even pull of tfie small engine. For a better load distribution on the tractor, two rubber-covered rollers are fixed on the attachment bar.
The tractor-trailer combination carries a total load of 25 cwt. This combination can be used by 90 per cent. of the German transport businesses, alone or in conjunction with heavier vehicles, as a close investigation of the transport needs of German hauliers has revealed.
The engine is an Ito two-cylindered 400 c.c, petrol unit with forced air cooling. It has been found that the efficiency of this small engine is higher.in a three-axle than in a two-axle machine. The pulling power of the engine B30 decreases proportionately with the load increase on the driven axle.
The loading length of the Rollfix trailer is 4 m. or 5 m., and the width 1.50 m. The tractor-trailer can articulate to an angle of 90 degrees.