Keeping the Back Cleaner
Page 37
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WITH square-ended vehicles, and this VV. includesalmost all commercials, the law-pressure area that forms at the rear • causes spray (when the roads are wet); mud and dust from the rear' wheels to be drawn against the rear of the vehicle, making frequent .cleaning necessary. To oVercome this. problem the Pandrama Radio Co„ 73 Wadham Road, London,. S.W.15, has developed the Airscoop. This is intended to he fitted at the rear top corner of the vehicle and consists of an 'aerofoil blade carried on brackets to hold it away from the roof: . The device works by deflecting the roof-top • airstream downwards at The :rear, so preventing the formation of a " vacuum" and 'smoothing Out the turbulence. The Airscoop is simple to fit, the ends of the blade being connected to anchoring struts which are clamped to the .guttering usually incorporated around the edge of the roof. Three sizes are made, suitable for widths between gutters of 3 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. The small size .ceists £2 12s. 6c1., the medium size. costs £2 14s. and the large one 12 165. The Airscoop can be used also. as an aerial, and a twin-aerial kit consisting of two stainless-steel aerials and a lead costs 17s. 6d.
The Airscoop has been tried out on a van recently' tested by The Commercial Motor; there was not sufficient time to experiment to find the best position in which to mount the blade, but although the back of the van was not kept perfectly clean, there appeared to be a marked reduction in the amount of dirt deposited.
Starting Aids.
ALARGER pack of B.J. Instant Starter has been introduced by B.J. Industrial Developments Ltd., 77 Loveday Road, London, W.I3. This means that four sizes are now sold, 4 oz. packs at 5s., 6 oz. at 7s. 6d., 12 oz. at I Is. 6d., and 20 oz. (the new size) at 16s. All prices are retail.
Another engine starting aid which has been the subject of change recently is Choice,made by Durazorte-Choice International Ltd., Lovers Walk, Finchley, London, N.3. In this case the price has been reduced, the 8 oz. spray container now retailing at 7s. 6d.
A Heavier Clamp
A HEAVY-DUTY versionof the rA Carver Rack Clamp has been introduced by Carver and Co. (Engineers).; Ltd., Eldon Street, Walsall, Staffs. It is known as the Heavy Duty Model No. T257 and operates on the same principle as the light-duty version introduced in 1961.
The tool consists of two main parts; the fixed jaw is made in one piece with a notched bar on which the moving jaw slides. The L-shaped moving jaw locates in one of the semi-circular notches in the rack bar and the clamping pressure is applied through a screw which hears on the outside of the bar. A grip of 4,000 lb. is claimed, using only hand pressure on the tommy bar of the pressure screw.
Seven sizes are made to give clamping capacities of from 6 in. to 6 ft. Prices are from £1.0.11 s. 6d. for the 6 in. model up to £25 Is. for the 6 ft. size: Clamps of over 6 ft. and up to 9 ft. can be 'supplied to special order.
Electro-Hydraulic Loader
AN eleetro-hydraulie battery-operated lift with a capacity of 6 to 8 cwt. has been added to the range of hydraulic loaders produced by the Edbro-Pilot Group, Bolton, Lancs. The unit is suitable for fitting to light vans, pick-ups and ambulances and one has been fitted by Bolton•Corporation Transport Department to a bus converted for -use by the town's Welfare Department. In this form it is used to raise and lower handicapped people, primarily in wheelchairs.
The BG electro-hydraulic loader, as the new design is known, incorporates the positive chain and sprocket drive of the Edhro-Pilot 15 and 30 cwt. power take-off-operated lifts. There are no cables and the drive is from a hydraulic motor powered by a combined 12or 24-volt electric motor and pump. Many safety features are incorporated; `it is powered down as well as up, providing full control at all stages: main drive is through a worm-reduction gear and a Hydralock valve prevents loss of control; an isolating, ignition-type switch, designed to prevent unauthorized use of the lift, is provided.
Leaflets from Atkinson
THREE new specification leaflets are available from Atkinson Vehicles Ltd., Preston, Lanes. One 'treference A.P.L. 115) describes the SBT.946XA tractor chassis introduced •in September, the second (A.P.L. 116) describes the range of special-purpose crane-carrier chassis made by the concern and the third (A.P.L. 105) is a redesign of an existing leaflet describing the Atkinson 6 x 4 model DT.1366 dumper.