Fleet trials for versatile 'stretch' tanker
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READY adaptability to various tractive units and gross weights is a feature of the design of a new tanker introduced by Ramsden-Reside Engineering Ltd., Faverdale, Darlington, and now on extended trial with the fleet of Kelman of Turriff, Aberdeenshire.
Conditions for changeover from one tractive unit or weight to another are achieved either by moving the king-pin or reposition
ing the tank on the running gear. The kingpin is fixed to a rubbing plate that has two locations for it, the plate itself being bolted to the tank underframe at centres which can also be used to give a finer adjustment to the king-pin.
Attachment of the tank to the running gear is by bolts at centres which give adjustments corresponding to the changes in centre of gravity at various gross weights. The manu
facturers state that the changes can be made in a period of about two hours.
From a front depth of 4ft. the tank increases to 5ft. at the rear. There are no steps, it being tapered throughout its 32ft. 7-in. capacity length. The object of this is to obtain a centre of gravity nearer the rear so that the unit, with shorter rear overhang, can be built within the existing overall length of 13 metres, also 36 tons and 38 tons gross achieved with overall lengths of not more than 15 metres. The tapered tank arrangement makes possible a considerable reduction in height and it is stated that excellent anti-surge properties have resulted.
Fish oil and various other edible oils are the products for which the prototype has been specially produced, a load of 5,500 gal. (5,720 gal. gross) being carried in two compartments.
Discharge is by a Drum B4E pump mounted on the tank and hydraulically driven from the tractive unit. Tank material is En58B stainless steel, the insulation being made up of 3in. Fibreglass compressed to 2in; heating is by steam coil. Northern Trailers Ltd. three-axle running gear is employed, with Ceschi self-steering rear axle.
With the Scania-Vabis tractive unit shown in the accompanying illustration the unit is operated under 32 g.t.w., the overall length being 42ft. Olin., with a wheelbase of 21ft. lin. With the king-pin forward this gives a tractive unit front axle loading of 5 tons 5cwt. lqr. 61b. The unit's rear axle loading is 8 tons lOcwt. but a 20-in. movement of the king-pin rearwards raises this figure to 9 tons 3cwt. lqr. 141b.
The rear bogie loading is 17 tons 1 lcvvt. lqr. 81b. Overall height, unladen, is 9ft. 6in.