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New A.E.C.s for Heavy Timber Haulage

21st December 1945
Page 29
Page 29, 21st December 1945 — New A.E.C.s for Heavy Timber Haulage
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Conlintung a Pre-war Policy of Fleet Standardization,aProminent Timber Haulier Takes Delivery of New A.E.C. Machines AHAULAGE concern which lost all its fleet in a London blitz in 1941 is amongst the first operators to obtain some of the earliest post-war Monarchs built by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. The company concerned is Wintons. Ltd., of London and Waltonon-Thames, which specializes in timber haulage, and it was able to place in service on November 1 last two A.E.C. 12-ton gross machines, and, by doing so, to re-inaugurate a pre-war policy of fleet standardization.

Formed as a private company by Mr. S. H. Winton in 1919, Wintons, Ltd., began to modernize its initial fleet of five 7-8-tonners by acquiring a number of A,E.C.s, which included a Monarch four-wheeler and a Mammoth Major six-wheeler. The Government commandeered the latter at the beginning of the war, but the remaining vehicles continued to give a high standard of service until they were destroyed by bombing. Fortunately, by the exercise of much resource, the company succeeded in acquiring some other machines, and these were later supplemented by a number of E.R.F. 8-14tanners powered by A.E.C. engines. With the latest Monarchs, the fleet now comprises 14 vehicles of various capacities.

Loads handled by Wintons, Ltd., range from 40-ft. lengths of timber to " outsize " pieces, which may be anything up to 65 ft. long. Whilst most of this timber is hauled from the London docks to the delivery sites, many loads are, to-day, collected from dumps in the Home Counties, where timber awaiting use was stored for safety during the war srears.

The new A.E.C. Monarchs, with bodies built by Vincents, of Reading, include several special features devised by the operator for the safe transport of long lengths, of timber. Cross-bearers of oak are, for instance, doubled at front and back,, and an extra crossbearer is inserted in the centre of the platform. A 4-ft. 6-in. head bolster is supplemented by a central bolster, which is of considerable importance in preventing chassis distortion, and in providing an additional safety margin against upward thrust in the event of a sudden full-brake application. The bolsters, made of wood, which, because of .its inherent "spring," is better than iron for this purpose, are provided with special strengthening stays.

Due to the front projection of long lengths of timber, the cabs are less than normal height and the roofs, in addition to being specially strengthened, are fitted with metal tread plates. The position of the cross-bearers has also been altered to allow adequate room for the driver's head beneath the lowered roof. Apart from these modifications, the cabs are of A.E.C. standard design.

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People: S. H. Winton

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