A New Live-axle Trader Six
Page 61
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THE chain-driven Trader Six 7-8-ton chassis with the front axle set back, which was produced by the Peerless Trading Co. (Spares and Repairs), Ltd., Bath Road, Slough, earlier this year, was fully dealt with in a complete road-test report which we published on June 0th. The company has now introduced a similar machine having a live axle and incorporating interesting improvements.
To discriminate between the two types the chain-driven machine is known as type 90/C, whilst the new model is called type 90/IA The Meadows 6EW six-cylindered 90 b.h.p. engine, of 95 rum. bore and 130 mm. stroke, is retained, but the gearbox is now unit-mounted with the engine and the drive is by a two-piece 3-in, alloy-steel tubular propeller shaft (with three of the largest available Spicer mechanical universal joints and a central steady bearing) to an overhead-worm rear axle, the case of which is a one-piece forging.
As regards the improvements mentioned above, the engine now has a Simms automatic-advance device incorporated 'in the near-side front crankcase leg; this is of the kind described on page 115 of our issue dated September 8th. A larger fan has been fitted, htivihg six blades instead of four, and the radiator now has longer tubes and a smaller head tank than had the earlier model. The M.C.L. electrical equipmerit comprises a 12-volt dynamo, starter, five-lamp outfit
and screenwiper, a good feature being that flexible tubing with stainless-steel plaited armouring and lead-sealed joints is used throughout to carry the wiring.
The gearbox has central ball change instead of right-hand gate change, and is equipped with two power-take-off doors, one for tipping gear and the other for a tyre pump.
Two petrol tanks are now fitted, these being mounted pannier fashion, one on each side of the frame behind the cab. Each will hold 20 gallons, and the supply is by armoured flexible pipes. An interesting arrangement has been adopted for the support of the front trunnion mounting of the power unit, also the centre steady bearing of the pro peller shaft. In each case, a steel plate in. thick and well over 1 ft. in depth is fixed as a cross-member in the frame, its flexibility serving to allow limited freedom of movement. In the case of the propeller-shaft steady, which is of the double-hall-race type, this arrangement allows a self-aligaing bearing to be dispensed with.
The front springs are unchanged, but the rear springs, which are required to take the torque and drive, have solidforged eyes and are of the two-stage kind with stout auxiliary leaves mounted beneath.the regular leaves. The main
• leaf of each rear spring is in two parts, the inner end of each having a raised boss which engages in a slot under the centre plate. This means that no centre bolt is necessary. The patent main leaf is a speciality of Jonas Woodhead and Sons, Ltd., Leeds. As before, Modes steering is employed. A Dewandre vacuum cylinder has now been introduced to apply the foot-operated shoes in the rear brake drams, the hand lever actuating adjacent pairs of shoes.
The company is enthusiastic over its adoption, early this year, of a set-back front axle. For one thing this seems to result in less torsion and vibration to the radiator and front end of the engine. Again, it makes the compliance with axle-weight regulations easier, and it is said that, because better adhesion is given to the front wheels and the centre of gravity is moved forward, there is less tendency to skid on slippery roads. '
The price of the 90/L chassis, complete with wings and pneumatic 40-in. by 8-in. tyres (twin rear), or 13.5-in. single rear tyres is £950. As a drop-side lorry it is £1,050, and • with St. Paul hydraulic end tipper £1,150. The 90/C chassis, with pneumatic front tyres and 40-in. by 6-in, solid rear tyres costs £798. As a drop-side lorrY the price is £898, and with St. Paul tipper £998. Single 13.5-in, pneumatic rear tyres can be fitted at £50 extra.