Weighbridge Test Gear for Adaptation as Loader ?
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A LTHOUGH the purpose of vehicle equipment specially developed to facilitate weighbridge testing is highly specialized, the hydraulic lifting gear of this.type developed by Streetly Productions, Streetly Garage, Chester Road, near Birmingham, is of wider interest in that it could be adapted advantageously for loading a haulage vehicle carrying certain classes of goods.
The first equipment to be built is mounted on a standard Foden FG.6/12 six-wheeled short-wheelbase chassis and is capable of unloading 20 i-ton weights from the floor to the ground in a few minutes. The vehicle has completed six week's service for Worcestershire County Council, and has loaded and unloaded over 4,000 tons of test weights. The average time taken for testing shows a saving of 75 per cent., and the labour required has also been reduced.
A beam of channel-section members is mounted in the roof on four splayed legs and projects about 3 ft. over the rear. The beam carries a trolley traversed by two reverse-facing hydraulic rams and wire-rope gear, which give a step-up ratio of 4 to 1 and enable 4-ft, rams to provide 16 ft. of trolley travel.
The hydraulically operated hoist has a lifting bar with three hooks and can raise three i.-ton weights at a time. The bar is counterweighted to keep the n4 hooks horizontally inclined until they make contact with the test-weight handles. Disengagement is consequently automatic.
Duplicate engine controls are mounted on a panel at the rear of the platform and the operator can load and unload without leaving the vehicle. In addition to the conventional cut-out safety devices, the pump control is linked to the throttle so that the pump is automatically disengaged at an engine speed exceeding about 650 Loin. It is impossible for the vehicle to be driven with the pump in gear.
The beam and hoist form a single unit, which can be lifted from the vehicle after the removal of eight bolts and the disconnection of two pipes. The second vehicle to be fitted with the equipment will be a tipper, which will be used by a small local authority for the dual duties of weighbridge testing and normal tipping work.
Mr. W. D. J. Sparrow, of Streetly Garage, states that he has had numerous inquiries from other municipal authorities and from manufacturers of heavy engineering goods. The beam and supports could be constructed of aluminium alloy, and their weight would not materially 'reduce the payload of a haulage vehicle. Tile hoist would then have obvious advantages for loading heavy cases or parts of unit size and weight.