The BUFFALO and the BISON Two New Leyland Middle-weights. Details
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of the New 4-ton and 6-ton Machines Embodying the Latest-type Power Units of Which Full Particulars Were Published Exclusively in this Journal Last Week.
TN our issue for last week we described the Leyland Hippo, a threeailed, 12-ton goods chassis. Two further entirely new models in the range of goods chassis produced by this Lancashire concern are the Buffalo (TQ) six-toaner and the Bison (TG) four-tuner.
These machines are built on similar lines, both having frames which are straight in plan and elevation, except for a slight arch over the driving axle. Both have the modern type of unit-constructed engine, iearbox and radiator, the power unit of the smaller model being a tour-cylindered overhead-valve engine of 4.9-16 ins, bore and 5i ins. stroke developing 50 b.h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m.) and that of the six-tonner being a six-cylindered engine of 4 ins. bore and 5i ins. stroke (developing 55 b.h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m.). Each of the engines follows the principles of design with Which we dealt fully last week in describing the power unit of the Hippo twelve-tonner.
The gearbox, transmission and final drive of the Buffalo and Bison models are similar in type. The propeller shaft is divided, the rear half being enclosed by a large-diameter torque tube at the front end of which is the Leyland spherical thrust bearing, 1onsed in a casing on the central pressed-steel cross-member. 'The rear springs, joints and propeller shaft are thus relieved of all driving and braking stresses.
Both models have an -improved type of double-reduction axle, in Which the first reduction is by spherical spiral-bevel gears and the second by double helical gears. The axle is fully floating, the nickelsteel shafts being housed in a one-piece forged casing. A simple means is provided for adjusting the meshing of the bevel gears.
Each of the models has four-wheel braking, the hand brake mechanically actuating shoes on the rear wheels, whilst the pedal operates, with Dewandre assistance, on all four wheels, two Dewandre cylinders being fitted to the larger model. In both cases the brake drums are af 17 ins. diameter.
The rear-axle ratio of the smaller model is 6.6, that of the larger being 7.15 to L Indirect gear ratios on the Bison are 10.55, 17.4, and 28.4 (reverse 34) to 1; those of the Buffalo being 11.4, 18.9, 31.6 (reverse 36.6) to 1. As an alternative, the Bison may have a 7.15 or an 8.19 back-axle ratio and, similarly, the Buffalo may, if required, be equipped with an 8.19-to-1 driving axle. Both models have 40-in. by 8-in, pneumatic tyres, with twins on the rear wheels.
As regards dimensions, the Bison has a 14-ft. 4-in. wheelbase, 6-ft. 214n. front track and 5-ft. 71-in, rear track, the frame height
under load being 2 ft. 7.i The overall length of this model is 22 ft. 81 ins., but this may, if required, be increased to 23 ft: 101 hag., or reduced to 19 ft. 5 ins. The net chassis weight is about 3 tons 14 can.
The Buffalo has a wheelbase of 17 ft. 9 ins., a trout track of 6 ft. 2+ ins., and rear track of 5 ft. 7§ ins. The frame height is the same as that of the smaller model, the overall length being considerably more, viz., 25 ft. -11 ins. The weight of the Buffalo is 4 tons 1 cwt.
With regard to prices, it is understood that the Bison models will sell at about £900, without body, the 'Buffalo costing £1,050.