THE TRANSPORT OF 42-FT. CABLE STANDARDS.
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How Bulky 12-cwt. Structures are Handled.
ATRANSPORT problem, certainly not of very great dimensions, but one which evidently would call for some amount of• ingenuity, recently presented itself to the Foundation Co., Ltd., of Windsor House, Kingsway, London, W.C.
It concerned the carrying of a large quantity of built-up electric cable standards made of angle iron and steel plates, riveted together, complete and ready for erection. The dimensions of each standard were: Length, 42 ft.; width, 18 ins.; depth, at the larger end 3 ft., tapering to 18 ins, at the other end, the total weight of each standard being 12 cwt.
The directors of the Foundation Co., therefore, interviewed the engineers at Fodens, Ltd., and asked for suggestions, and several ways of carrying out the operation were discussed, but after very careful consideration, keeping in mind all the facts of the case, a solution of the problem was found in certain modifications of the Foden 5-ton wagon.
With such a length as that given, viz., 42 ft., it was necessary to carry the electric cable standards along the frill length of the wagon with an overhang at each end. In order to give the clearance forward, all brake fittings, the steering wheel and the bunker seats were brought inside of the channel steel dide members of the vehicle frame, which is 4 ft. 1 in. wide. In front of the smoke box two channels were fixed to the main frame extending outwards about 2 ft. at each side. These carry a large oak bearer intended to support the standards at the front, whilst extending vertically from the ends of the channel are two tall stanchions, other stanchions being fixed at intervals along the wagon in order to hold the load. The ends of the stanchions were turned
outwards in order to carry restraining chains.
The crane, which was mounted immediately behind the driver's cab and strongly stayed to the forward end of the frame, has a safe capacity of 1 ton and will swing through a radius of 7 ft.
The travelling head, which was essential in order to enable the load to be neatly placed upon the wagon, is of rather novel character. It can be racked along the full 7 ft. spread of the crane arm. It consists of four rollers mounted on two shafts, which also carry two chain wheels and the racking wheel, this being mounted on a small frame which can be moved along between the two angle irons which form the arm of the crane, the rollers running on top of the angle irons. The lifting is done by a series of gears and pulleys mounted on another frame which is fixed on the main channels. A. shaft extends from side to side and is squared off at each end to take the lifting handles.
It is frequently necessary for this wagon with its load to travel over fields and in places where there are no roads. In view of this fact, chain steering has been adopted, although, as is well known, the latest types of Foden wagon are equipped with Ackerman steering.