SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES IN GOODS TRANSPORT.
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A New Range of Light Fast Chassis up to Two Tons Capacity.
WE have already referred to the fact that Dodge Bros. (Britain), Ltd, was introducing a new series of Graham Bros. goods vehicles, each based upon the new six-cylindered engine, new, that is, for commercial vehicles, but extensively employed in connection with private vehicles. We understood, however, when referring to this matter in our issue of July 17th, that the range or new chassis would include 10-cwt. and 15-cwt. models, but information now to band shows that the range will consist of the model DEF one-tonner, the model BEE 30-cwt. (short wheelbase), the model IEF 30ewt. (long wheelbase) and the model ME two-tonner. These four new types will replace the four-cylinder models in the capacities named, and it will be remembered that, under the same name of Graham Bros. (which is the name under which Dodge commercial vehicle products are sold) there was introduced about a year ago a six-cylinder chassis which has an engine of heavier design for bus and similar work.
It is claimed for the Graham Bros. trucks that they meet 95 per cent, of all haulage needs. They are designed by men who have concentrated upon the commercial motor vehicle and, having behind them a large factory producing passenger vehicles, they have had the advantage of being able to make use of engineering developments which have shown merit in passenger ear performance.
It is claimed that Graham Bros. are the largest exclusive manufacturers of trucks in the world, and that they have built up a world-wide reputation for quality of material, high-class craftsmanship, advanced design, simplicity of control, reliability and efficiency. The new range of trucks is not likely to exhibit any of tho common defects of a new product, for they have been thoroughly tested before being placed upon the market. They represent good value, particularly when there are taken into consideration not only initial cost, oil and petrol consumption and maintenance repairs, but the question of whether or not the vehicle does its job in an efficient manner. High-class materials are used throughout, and it is said that Graham Bros. have always been users of more chrome-vanadium steel than is usually to be found in the average commercial vehicle.
The chassis is of ample strength, but without any excessive weight to in crease running costs. Pressed steel members are liberally used, and the springs are of alloy steel, oversize and very robust ; the spring hangers are of an unusually strong type. Graham Bros.' back axle is of simple construction, with oversize gears, and is calculated to be trouble-free.
The six-eylindered engine, which is built by Dodge Bros., has one or two
unusual features. The bore of the cylinders is 31 ins., but the piston stroke is no more than n ins., thus giving nearly a square cylinder bore, the engine running at a comparatively low speed. The compression ratio is 5.181. to 1. There is a seven-bearing crankshaft having an overall length of 31 ins.
and a bearing surface of 101 ins. Being rated at 28 h.p., the engine has a pulling ability which will guarantee the transport of its load anywhere to schedule time. The cylinders are cast en bloc with the upper half of the crankcase, the• head being detachable. The casting mixture is known as semisteel, and this gives a long cylinder life. The cylinder head is sloped, thus eliminating dead areas in the combustion chamber, whilst the maximum clearance is given to the valves. The combustion chambers are completely machined, affording uniformity of compression in all cylinders. Aluminium alloy pistons are employed, having two Inver metal struts through the piston boss, and the pistons and all moving parts are very carefully balanced. The crankshaft is carried in seven bearings, babbitt lined, and the flywheel has a starter ring gear upon it.
The camshaft is carried in four bear-. ings, and is a matter of careful production. The camshaft and generator are driven by the crankshaft through a
broad silent chain at the front of the engine, the chain being adjusted by swinging the generator. This latter revolves at 11 times the crankshaft speed. The valves are on one side of the engine, and are enclosed by oiltight covers; the valve lifter guide and valve stem guides are removable.
Power is taken through a dry, singleplate clutch to the gearbox. On the oneton chassis there are three forward speeds and a reverse ; on the 30-ewt. chassis (both long and short wheelbase) there is a four-speed box with an internal gear drive on the third speed, making for running as silent on the third speed as on direct drive. The twotonner has the normal four-speed gearbox. Provision for power take-off is made on the 30-cwt. and two-ton chassis. In each case, for the front axle a drop-forged I-section member is em
ployed with roller bearings at the steering pivots. The rear axle is semi-floating with a spiral-bevel-gear drive.
Four-wheel Lockheed hydraulic internally expanding brakes are applied by the pedal, whilst the hand operates the propeller shaft brake,which is of the external contracting type. The drum diameter is ample. The foot brakes on the one-tonner operate on 14-in, drums and the hand brakes on a 61-in. drum. In the case of the 30-ewt. models the foot-brake drums are 15 ins. diameter, and the hand-brake drum 8 ins., whilst on the two-ton model the foot-brake drums are 16 ins, in diameter and the hand-brake drum 8 ins. The lining width is 11 ins, for all foot brakes and 21 ins, for the hand brakes.
The chassis weights are as follow :— The one-ton model, 1 ton 3 cwt. 14 lb. ; the short wheelbase 30-cwt., 1 ton 7
cwt.; the long wheelbase 30-cwt., 1 ton 7 cwt. 36 lb.; and the two-tonner, 1 ton 14 cwt.
Front and rear wings are supplied on the two smaller models, and front wings on the two large models. The radiator shell is nickel-plated, and the equipment includes a front bumper bar, tyre carrier, spare rim, electric horn, two headlights with dimmer, two sidelights, tail and stop lights, instrument board light, licence brackets and complete tool kit, whilst the instrument board includes a radiator shutter and watertemperature indicator. The 2-ton chassis is equipped with a mechanical tyre pump—an almost, essential fitting for large pneumatic tyres.
The chassis prices are as follow :— One-ton model, £225; 30-cwt. (short wheelbase), 1325; 30-cwt. (long wheelbase), £365; and the two-tonner, £435.