A Trio of NEW BERLIET MODELS
Page 73
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Chassis of 3 tons and 5 tons Capacity Added to the Range of a Well known French Maker, the Products of which are Marketed in this Country.
A MONGST the recent alterations to _tithe range of goods-carrying vehicles made by the famous French concern of Berliet, of Lyons, are the introduction of a new three-tonner and two variations of the well-known 5-ton machine. These chassis aret4handled in this country by the Berliet Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., Richmond Bridge Works, Twickenham, Middlesex.
The new three-tonner, which sells at £485 in chassisform with pneumatic tyres, is known as type V.K.R. Three standard bodies are listed, each 11 ft. 6 ins. long by 7 ft. 2 ins. wide ; the platform pattern costs £55 the fixedsided body is priced at £60, and the hinge-sided design at £65; in each ease the finish is in lead colour.
A four-cyllndered engine is employed, this having an R.A.C. rating of
22.3 h.p. The bore and stroke are 95 mm. and 100 mm. respectively. The two pairs of cylinders are bolted to a cast-iron crankcase, they have detachable heads, and the valves are mounted side by side. Oil is carried in a special cooling sump, and is delivered by pump through a drilled crankshaft to the big ends. Bronze shells lined with antifriction metal are used in the I-section connecting rods ; the gudgeon pies work in the piston bosses. A Zenith carburetter is used and the magneto is of the variable-advance type.
A centrifugal pump circulates the water through the cylinder jackets and the tubular radiator ; a fan is employed, driven at engine speed by a flat belt. A combined starter and dynamo is coupled to the crankshaft by silent chain with jockey-sprocket adjustment.
A multi-plate clutch carries the drive to a unit-construction gearbox which provides four forward speeds. The ratios are 0.227, 0.338, 0.625 and direct drive, Rear-axle ratios are 8.33, 7.33 or to 1, giving road speeds of 26.5 m.p.h., 30.m.p.h. and 37 m.p.h. respectively at 2,000 .r.p.ra. of the crank shaft. A cast-steel rear-axle housing encloses the differential and worm gearing with overhead worm. Both drive and torque are taken through the semi-elliptic springs.
Four-wheel brakes are operated by pedal through a Berliet mechanical servo device mounted on the gearbox. When a stationary plate is brought into contact with a revolving drum the former is rotated through a portion of a revolution and exerts a powerful pull upon the brake-operating rods. The hand lever works shoes in the rearwheel drums only.
Cold-pressed Martin-Siememl steel .is used for the frame side members; these are connected by pressed-steel crossmembers riveted in position. A bumper bar at the front forms part of the frame assembly. The front axle is carried on semi-elliptic springs; worm and wheel steering is provided, the wheel being so mounted that it can assume any one of four positions, thus permitting easy adjustment and long life. Both gear and hand-brake .controls are disposed centrally, other levers being mounted above the steering wheel and on the facia board. A 14-gallon tank is carried below the driver's seat.
Other additions to the range to which we have referred comprise a 5-ton chassis with live-axle drive and the lung wheelbase five-tonner. The former is intended for high-speed work as opposed to the heavy-duty service which usually falls to the lot of the well-known chain-driven chassis of the same capacity. The axle is of the double..
reduction type. In other respects the chassis follows the specification of the chain-driven model. The chassis, complete with servo braking and full equipment, is priced at /705.
For many trades a long wheelbase is essential. To meet this need the fivetonner can be obtained with a wheelbase of 17 ft. 31 ins., sas opposed to 14 ft. n ins, in the case of the standard design. On solid tyres the chassis price is £625; chain drive is employed.
A choice of gearing is now offered on the standard 5-tonner ; 15-tooth or 18-tooth sprockets may be fitted. This chassis costs £595 on solid tyres. Pneumatics can be supplied at £62 10s. extra.