71-ATKINSON

25th September 1964, Page 168

25th September 1964

Page 168

Page 173

Page 168, 25th September 1964 — 71-ATKINSON

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Atkinson Vehicles Ltt Winery Lane, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, Lan(

TWO tractive units provide the main interest on this stan I and these were described in the September 4 issue The Commercial Motor. The bigger attraction will be model T3048C four-wheeler which has a Cummins N diesel engine and the new Guardsman cab. The engine the V8E-235, being specially rated to provide 235 b.h. gross at 2,300 r.p.m. The use of this engine is regarded 1 Atkinson as an experiment and the Show exhibit will I put into service by Bulwark Transport Ltd. who are co-operate with Atkinson in extensive service trials of tl engine.

The second newly-designed tractive unit is also a foe wheeler (designated T2846X) and has a Gardner 6L engine. Whilst the Cummins-engined chassis is designi to operate at a gross train weight of 30 tons, the gross ratii with the Gardner is limited by Atkinson to 28 tons.

Apart from the engines, the mechanical specification the two models is similar, incorporating a David Brov 657 six-speed overdrive box, Kirkstall front and rear axl and Maries steering. An interesting fitting on the Gardn engine in the second tractive unit (which is for Sutton at Sons, of St. Helens) is a 60-amp alternator.

Of interest on both chassis is the braking system, whi has been designed by Atkinson to meet the new regulatio continued on page 169 requiring a secondary brake with an efficiency of at least 25 per cent. Actuation is by air-pressure with singlediaphragm chambers all round; but those at the tear axle are fed by completely separate circuits (through shuttle valves), one circuit being fed by the footbrake and the other by a circuit including a valve in the handbrake linkage.

An eight-wheeler shown by Atkinson is powered by a Gardner 6LX engine and, like the tractive units, has dual circuits for front and rear brakes. Wheelbase is 16 ft. 7.5 in. and the gross rating is 25 tons. The rear bogie on the chassis is the Kirkstall hypoid beVel/spur drive model which Atkinsons will use from now on instead of worm axles.

The three other chassis which can be seen on the stand are: a four-wheel tractive unit for 20-ton g.t.w., fitted with a Gardner 5I,W engine; a 24-ton g.t.w. tractive unit with Gardner 6LX; and a six-wheel semi-bonneted tractive unit for 32 tons gross, especially built for Pickfords Ltd.

A last-minute change of plans by Atkinson brings an additional Cummins-engined four-wheel-tractive unit on to he stand, this being a T3046C model designed for 30 ton g.t.w. and having an NH 220 in-line power unit.