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Gardner Conversion for 7-ton Bedford

22nd March 1957, Page 50
22nd March 1957
Page 50
Page 50, 22nd March 1957 — Gardner Conversion for 7-ton Bedford
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SPONSORS' tests were carried out last week on a new Bedford 7-ton platform lorry fitted with a Gardner 41.W oil engine. The modifications necessary for the conversion have been evolved by Blakes Motors Ltd., the Bedford main agents in Manchester, working under the supervision of Norris, Henty and Gardners, Lid., Patricroft. The vehicle is to go • into operation with Allen's Transport Services, Trafford Park, Manchester. The conversion make:, a Gardner-engined 7-tanner available at exceptionally low first cost.

.• Earlier tests have shown that, .running light, the unit returned a fuel-consumption rate of 28.6 m.p.g. on an unladen weight of 3 tons 14-& cwt... With the vehicle loaded with ballast, giving an all-up weight of over 10 tons 15f cwt., including driver and passenger. a 32-mile test showed a fraction under 18 m.p.g.

The chassis employed has 9.00-20-in. tyres and a rear-axle ratio of 5.286 to I. Little structural alteration has been necessary, the main changes being the use of special crossmembers fore and aft of the power unit and some slight modifications to the cab. A supplementary intake has been incorporated above the radiator. which gives a freer inlet of cOld air.

There has been no change to the standard Bedford synchromesh ,gearbox, but a new flywheel and bell housing has been supplied. Because the Gardner unit is wider than that which it replaces, a fresh engine cowling, with felt-lined sound-absorbing top, has been introduced and the gear lever recranked. Further space has been created by moving the batteries front beneath the seat to a location on the off-side frame member. An additional slight modification has been required to the throttle control.

The 4LW has an output of 75 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m. and, as usual, is carried on the manufacturers' special flexible mounting, which incorporates a torque-reaction member and hydraulic stabilizer.

For the tests, which were attended by a representative of The Commercial Motor", a 32-mile route, starting from the Gardner factory, was chosen. This gave several miles of work in fairly congested industrial streets before reaching the East Lancashire road near Worsley. A return was made by a similar route, with some variation on the urb:In section. Progress was impeded by the hesitating driver of a station wagon at the foot of the 1-in-13 climbof Worsley Bank, but the Bedford gathered speed to make a good ascent in second gear. In the lower gears, the noise was not uncomfortable, whilst in top it was possible for driver and passenger, who were Well separated, to talk in normal tones. The thermometer, mounted at the rear of. the engine cowling, showed the cooling-water temperature rising to 144 F. on the giveand-take residential roads, dropping_ to 135° F. on the highway, and rising again when the lower, gears were frequently required for the speedy negotiation of built-up 'areas towards the end of the run.

During a test at full torque the speedometer registered 39 m.p.h.: and it was clear that the engine would hold something close to this spiced even in the face of the more modesi gradient likely to be encountered on main motor roads.

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Locations: Manchester

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