THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR
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A Semi-Subsidy Model.
First Particulars of the New Palladium Three-Tonner—Rhinoceros-Hide Universals—Unusual Brakes and Clutch Spring—Chain-Drive Gearbox— Lighting and Starting Set.
Amongst so many new chassis, each with distinctive features of outstanding merit, it is perhaps invidious to make distinctions, but we, nevertheless, feel justified in stating without qualification that the new three-ton Palladium, which we have been glad to be able to examine this week, is of more than average value. The chassis is being built by Palladium A.utocars, Ltd., whose previous commercial models have already been favourably commented upon by us. We have had this particular new model under our notice for a little time past, and have been afforded the opportunity of seeing the drawings and designs when these were approaching completion ; our opinion, favourable then, is confirmed by a recent inspection of the principal components and units of the chassis which are now being assembled. Delay in actual completion is due to the difficulty that is being experienced everywhere in obtaining parts, though it is now anticipated that road tests will be in progress in the course of a week or two.
Semi-subsidy Chassis.
The chassis may be described as being of the semi-subsidy class, several features of the W.D. specification having been retained, as, for instance, the radiator suspension, the road-wheel diameters, and the tire sizes.
The engine has been specially designed and made for this machine, the bore and stroke being 4i ins. and 54 ins. respectively; it has been thoroughly tested, and develops 38 h.p. at 1200 revolutions per minute. All valves are interchange
able, the tappets are adjustable and are protected by accessible and easily-removed covers. The fuel supply is by means of a Zenith carburetter, the induction pipe being water jacketed. Dual ignition is fitted, and provision is made for the addition of an electric starting and lighting dynamo, which, however, is only supplied as an extra. The lubrication is a combination of force and splash : a pump forces oil to the main bearings, the surplus falling into troughs, whence it is scooped by dippers on the connecting rods. A feature of the system is the very accessible filler and level indicator.
Unusual Water Circulation.
Water circulation is by pump, the arrangement of the piping being rather unusual the delivery is taken-1min the pump to the top of the cylinder, and the cold water forced down into the jackets and round the valve seats ; it is carried
off from the top of the cylinder to the radiator by the usual means.
A substantial subsidy-type radiator very efficiently cools the water, being assisted by the usual type of fan. The method of mounting the radiator is distinctive ; as already mentioned, this unit is provided
with trunnions made to the W.D. specification ; these are carried in brackets hung from the..front crossmember of the frame, instead of, as is more usual, being bolted to the side members. it is hoped by this means to reduce the effect of frame distortion.
From the engine the drive is taken by a leather-lined cone clutch, the mechanism of which is a modified form of that used by the L. G.0.0., a single laminated spring being used in this instance instead of two, as used on the "B-types."
Laminated Clutch Spring.
The clutch spring is admirably suspended, being held by four bolts through clearance holes in the flywheel rim : the nuts on these bolts have spherical seats, allowing considerable freedom of movement. Adjustment of the spring. is simple, the operation being simply the screwing up or slacking off, as the ease may be, of these four nuts. We illustrate this component by a line drawing.
A double-jointed clutch shaft transmits from the clutch to the four-speed-and-reverse chain-drive gearbox, thence by a propeller shaft, also articulated, to the wormdriven rear axle. As showing the amount of care taken over the design of this ,chassis, we may instance the universal joints, which are all of the leather-disc type. They are very large in diameter, being 101 ins, overall, the discs and spiders being interchangeable, distinction between those for the clutch and propeller shafts being
made in the number of discs employed.
Pigskin and Rhinoceros-hide Universals.
The material to be employed for the discs has evidently been made matter for much discussion and ex periment, the final decision being m favour of three-ply pigskin and rhinoceros hide—pigskin on the outside, the rhino, hide being the centre layer. A Kirkstall front axle, and a worm-driven rear axle from the works of David Brown and Sons, Ltd., are components of which the reliability, we think, can almost be taken for granted. These are to be standard in the chassis under discussion. All the road wheels are of wrought steel and run on Timken bearings ; these are also, by the way, used in the rear axle and gearbox. A commendable fitment is a caststeel combined torque and radius member, ball-jointed at the front end, and fastened to the rear axle by substantial bolts.
Springs of a good length are provided, and the frame is of exceptional strength, being 7-/ins, deep and carried straight through ; it is well stayed and stiffened by suitable cross-members.
Powerful Braking.
The foot-brake drum is of good size and is so arranged that it can be water-cooled if required. The side brake operates through compensating gear on to drums in the rear wheel. An unusual feature is the provision of two pairs of shoes to each brake drum ; each pair is independently operated through compensating gear, though all four pairs of shoes are brought into action by weans of the one lever. The steering gear is on the heavy side and is arranged so that the rake is easily alterable, the box being carried on trunnions to allow of this. Engine control is by means of acceleration pedal and handlever, the hand control being placed below the wheel and arranged so as to comply with the W.D. requirements.
The petrol tank, of 30-gallon capacity, is also of subsidy type and is placed under the seat. Advance Orders Received.
We understand that several orders have been placed for early delivery of this model, the principal dimensions of which are as follow : wheelbase, 74 ft. ; track, 5 ft. 6 ins. ; width of frame, 3 ft. 5 ins. ; overall length, 21 ft. 6i ins. ; length from dash to end of frame, 17 ft. l ins. ; An imposing radiator.
rear tires, 1050 nun. by 120 mm. twin ; front, 900 mm. by 120 mm. single. The chassis price is £625. As a lorry, fitted with 18 in. detachable or hinged sides, driver's cab or canopy, and windscreen, it will sell at 2690. The electric self-starting and lighting set can be supplied, complete with lamps, etc., for 235 extra.