Modified Matadors for Gold Transport A N accompanying illustration shows one
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of three A.E.C. Matador Mark II chassis recently ordered by the Egyptian Government. The vehicles have been modified for work under tropical conditions, and they are to be employed on the transport of broken gold ore from the Government mine at Sukari to the crushing plant at Mersa Alam.
The power units are the company's well-known six-cylindered oil engines, which have a bore and stroke of 105 mm. and 146 mm. respectively. Larger radiators have been provided, and the extra tubes are connected in circuit with an oil cooler within the front end of the engine sump. A metal shield is fitted over the gearbox and the rear part of the chassis to protect the working parts from sand.
Steel tipping bodies, operated by B. and E. gear, are to be mounted on the chassis. Spring-loaded drawbars of the latest pattern are incorporated for the haulage of 4-ton trailers. The trailers are to be equipped with B. and E. end-tipping hand-operated gear.
For the transport of petrol and oil for the mine, two further trailers are being constructed with Butterfield tanks of 500-gallon capacity.
Whilst the distance from the mine to the crushing mill is not great, the conditions of operation are severe. For the greater part of the journey the vehicles will travel over the bed of the Wadi, which consists of cemented gravel.