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SPECIAL BEDFORD-TASKERS ARTICS

22nd November 1963
Page 38
Page 38, 22nd November 1963 — SPECIAL BEDFORD-TASKERS ARTICS
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from Lawson Pigott

TW tractive-. 1 unit versions of Bedford TK 3-ton chassis have just

been supplied by Lawson Pigott Motors Ltd., Fast Barnet, Hefts, to Alfred Bell Ltd., London, N.12. Thirteen Taskers 5-ton semi-trailers for use with them have also been ordered by Alfred Bell (some have already been delivered), 12 with box bodies and one with refrigerated bodywork.

Conversion of the 3-tonners to tractive units was carried out by Taskers of Andover (1932) Ltd. and consisted basically of reducing the wheelbase from 11 ft. 3 in. to 8 ft. 11 in., shortening the frame side-members and fitting Taskers 3to 5-ton D.S. automatic coupling. But the job was not as simple as it appears, mainly because the frame width of the Bedford is wider than the D.S. coupling ramps and this necessitated spec:al outrigger hanger brackets for the springs.

A shorter propeller shaft had to be fitted, of course, and other alterations included repositioning the fuel tank on the nearside of the chassis and fitting rear springs of a higher rate. The change to stiffer springs was necessary because coupling would have been difficult with the originals. The springs have the same capacity because the axle loadings as a tractive unit with the 5-ton semi-trailers are virtually the same as the standard 3-tonner.

The specification of both tractive units includes the Bedford. 220 cu. in. diesel engine, five-speed overdrive gearbox B4

(ratios 6-3, 3.36, 1-83, 1-0 and 0.82 to 1 forward, 5.76 to 1 reverse), a 6-2 to I rear axle ratio, and air-assisted hydraulic ' braking. With these mechanical units and the Michelin 6.50-16 " X " tyres fitted,

theoretical maximum speed is 43.4 m.p.h. and with the full 5-ton load the maximum gradient which can be climbed is estimated to be 1 in 4.2.

Six of the 12 box bodies are being built by Freight Engineering Co. Ltd., Sidcup, Kent, the remainder by Imperial Coach Builders (Southend) Ltd., Hadleigh, .Essex. The same design is used for all 12, overall dimensions of the bodies being 16 ft. long by 7 ft. wide by about 6 ft. interior height. Light alloy is used throughout and there is a removable deck of the same material made up • of 2-ft.-wide sections which rest on bearers fixed to the bodyr sides, 3 ft. above the floor.

The refrigerated body was built by Silverdale Motor Bodies Ltd., of Birmingham. This is the same size as the box bodies and insulation is by expanded polystyrene, 4 in. thick all round except in the roof where the thickness is 5-6 in. Access to the interior is by a single halfwidth door at the rear located to the nearside and hinged near the centre so that there is only slight protrusion beyond the offside when it lies fiat with the rear. The door can be clipped in this position. Refrigeration is by a Thermo King PA unit mounted externally, high on the front of the body, the fuel supply tank being mounted close to the bottom of the front panel.

Tags

People: Lawson Pigott
Locations: Birmingham, London

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