Ready for the Worst
Page 59
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A FIER a fully laden 10-ton lorry P% recently left the road at the top of Edge hill, in Warwickshire, and plunged 300 yd. down the cliffside, it was recovered by a new breakdown truck operated by the service department of A.C.V. Sales Ltd., Coventry. This gave practical support to the department's claim that the vehicle would be able to perform the worst breakdown job that was likely to materialize.
The vehicle is based on a standard A.E.C. Matador 4 by 4 chassis, reinforced at the rear with an extra cross-member and channel brackets. A Harvey-Frost 5-ton crane is mounted on a 5/16-in. checkerplate supported by 3-in. Siamese yang wooden bearers, this construction being used to reduce the overall height.
Rollers at the back, sides and front enable the cable of the powerdriven winch to be operated at any angle relative to the vehicle. Three swivelling spot lights give ample illumination for night work.
The cab, an enclosed workshop and other bodywork details were built by Lewis Scott and Co., Broad Street, Coventry. The workshop has a depth of 5 ft. 6 in. and extra space is provided by a compartment above the cab. The equipment includes an air-operated drill driven from the compressed-air reservoir, a bench with a vice and a comprehensive range of tools, such as hydraulic jacks, shovels and axes. A let-down bench seat is fitted for the use of the crew.
Both the cab and workshop have sliding doors running on Vanguard tracks.