Firemaster Goes to Manchester
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' E re-entering into the field of tire Engine manufacture by Leyland Motors, Ltd., is marked by the supply of an .entirely new model, known as the Firemaster, to Manchester City Fire Brigade.
The complete vehicle, which weighs 8 tons 14 cwt. gross, has an exceptional performance—it has accelerated on test from rest to 45 m.p.h. in under 30 sec.
Good road holding is ensured by a low centre of gravity, achieved mainly by the use of the 0.600 under-floor oil engine to power the 12-ft. 6-in.-wheelbase chassis.
This engine giving 150 b.h.p. at '2,200 r.p.m., drives an electrically operated twospeed rear axle, incorporating an Eaton driving head, through an 18-in.-diameter fluid coupling and a Pneumo-Cyclic fourspeed semi-automatic' gearbox.
The arrangement allows full two-pedal control with gear changing effected electro-pneumatically by a change-speed lever on the steering column.
The major advantage of the new design is that the fire pump and intake and outlet nozzles are mounted at the front of the vehicle to permit quick coupling to the water supply. A main fire pump B2 and a first-aid pump are driven from the front of the engine crankshaft through a power take-off incorporating a 2: I step-up ratio.
Engagement of the pumps is made by an air-operated clutch and two dogclutches. An interlock is provided to ensure that the pumps cannot be run while the road wheels are driving. A constant engine speed of 1,500 r.p.m. for pumping is provided by a hydraulic governor.
To allow the pumping equipment to be mounted at the front of the chassis, the pressurized radiator is fitted remote from the engine on the near-side frame side member in front of the rear wheels. The Firemaster has a pumping capacity of up to 1,000 gal. per minute on the main pump and can deliver 75 g.p.m. at 500 •lb. per sq. in. through its first-aid pump. It has a turning circle of 46 ft. and a maximum speed of 50 m.p.h.
An air pressure braking system operates on a total brake-facing area of 624 sq. in. through a Dl. valve giving a fully progressive action.