Converting Four-wheeled Steam Wagons Into Six-wheelers
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THE maximum legal laden weight of a four-wheeled steam wagon is 14 tons, but for a six-wheeled vehicle the law allows a laden weight limit of 19 tons. If, therefore, it be possible to convert a vehicle of the former type to a six-wheeler, definite benefits accrue, for although the conversion slightly increases the unladen weight, the extra pay-load which can be carried is considerable. An appreciation of these facts has led a number of owners of Sentinel four-wheelers M have them converted into rigid six-wheelers capable of carrying loads of 9-10 tons.
In converting Sentinel four-wheelers to rigid six-wheelers, the existing rear axle Is replaced by a twin-axle four-wheeled bogie.
The four rear wheels run on taper roller bearings, the torque and braking reaction being transmitted in the usual manner through ball-ended torque rods. A brake drum is attached to each of the four rear wheels, and of the 16 brake shoes working in these half are applied -by a hand ratchet lever and the other
n42 half by steam cylinders controlled by a pedal in the driver's cab.
These conversions are carried Out at the works of the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd:, at Shrewsbury, and are sound engineering jobs, the rear bogie '.being fully compensated and complying with the latest road regulations.