Mann' s Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd.
Page 20
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Exhibit :—A Brewers' or Millers' Wagon for 5-ton Loads.
Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Company, Limited, of the Pepper Road Works, Hunslet, Leeds, has staged one of its standard five-ton steam wagons, fitted with a rail-sided lorry of the type most suitable for the use of brewers and millers; in fact, the machine in question has been sold to Mr. T. D. Thomas, miller, of Castletownroche, Ireland. The locomotive type of boiler which is fitted to this make of wagon is, perhaps, thesthortest of any of this class of boiler which is now employed for steam-wagon work. The short boiler is employed because this company considers that it is the safest and most efficient steam raiser for the purpose, chiefly on the ground that there is less chance of the tubes being left uncovered by water when the vehicle is ascending or descending an incline. The length, from the extreme back plate of the boiler to the front tube plate, is about three feet four inches. The fire box is of ample size, and a fusible plug is fitted in the crown plate at the highest point of the fire box. The provision of such plugs generally ensures that the driver will take great care that the water level in the boiler is kept near its normal point, since, if he should neglect to main fain the proper level, the plug would melt, and it would then be necessary to draw the fire, fit a new plug, re-fill the boiler, light the fire, and wait until steam was raised. All this means a considerable amount of labour, which the driver will take care does not again become necessary, if by watchfulness on his part it can be avoided.
The combined crank and changespeed gear casing on this make of lorry is built up of stout steel plates; the
crankshaft and transmission-gear-shaft bearing brackets are firmly bolted to the side plates, in which they are registered by turned spigots. The compound-horizontal engine is placed rather low down, and it is quite possible to remove the top cover of the casing, in order to examine any of the parts, or to adjust the piston-rod, or valve-rod glands, without moving theload on the platform. The power of the engine is transmitted to the road wheels through machine-cut gearing, all of which is entirely enclosed.
A very simple form of differential locking gear is employed on the Mann wagons. A brake drum is keyed on to. the extreme end of the driving axle, and encircling this is a brake band which, is anchored to the near-side driving wheel. To lock the differential gear,. the brake band must be drawn tight by means of the nut and bolt which are provided for that purpose.
It is to be regretted that this company has not brought one of its new two-ton models, in which the fuel is fed automatically by means of a hopper. This vehicle was illustrated in " THE C OM MER CI AL MOTOR" of the 20th February last. An example of the new model would have been welcomed.