Vehicles in the Trials.
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The Halley 30-cwt. (C13) and 2-ton (D20) Models.
Two of the smartest vehicles in the trials are those whose numbers are given above. They are built at Yoker, Glasgow, by Halley's Industrial Motors, Limited. Not only are these vehicles smart in appearance, but they are smart at getting away with their loads, and their performance, for two-cylinder machines, so far as the trials have pro ceeded, has been very good. We have, from time to time, illustrated many vehicles of this make, and the chassis is undoubtedly capable of withstanding a lot of rough usage. During the exhibition of commercial motors, at Olympia, in March last, we were much impressed with the simplicity of the arrangement of the chassis, and with the very workmanlike design.
Each vehicle is propelled by a twocylinder engine, whose cylinders are 5 inches in diameter. The pistons have a stroke of 51, inches. The engine is very flexible, a virtue that probably owes something to the fact that the valves are arranged in pockets at each side of the casting. The main bearings and big-ends are lubricated by a small gear-pump, which is driven from one of the camshafts through a vertical shaft, whilst the commutator and hightension distributor is mounted on the upper end of that shaft.
The clutch-operating mechanism is simple : two hanging levers are keyed on to the clutch-pedal shaft, and they are coupled up to the sliding member of the leather-faced, cone-type clutch by means of straight drag-links. The change-speed gear-box, of which we are able to give two sectional views, is of the type which has the gears always in mesh. The casing is continued beyond the change-speed gears, and also encloses the bevel and differential gears. Three forward speeds and one reverse speed are provided, and the changes of gear-ratio are effected through the medium of a single lever and gate quadrant. Instead of the usual selector-rods, there are two connecting-rods; these form a positive connection between two selecting-levers, and the levers fixed to the two crossshafts in the gear-box. The lower end of the change-speed lever is forked, and may be made to engage positively with either of the two selecting-levers. Keys have been avoided throughout the gear itig, and, wherever it is necessary to lock any wheel positively to a shaft, this is effected either by making the shaft of square section or by forging and turning solid flanges on the shaft, to which the wheels are then securely bolted. There are only two sliding members in the gear-box, and these are the two, double-ended, claw clutches (A and B), which lock to the shafts (C
and D) whichever gear-wheel is required for any particular ratio. The reverse-gear, intermediate pinion is carried on a stud (E).
From the sides of the gear-box, conical tubes extend outwards, and, by these and a foot at the forward end of the casing, the gear-box is suspended. The brake-drum at the forward end of the gear-box offers a large surface to the action of the brake blocks, and should keep remarkably cool. It will be noticed, also, that one flange of this drum is provided with ratchet teeth,
with which a pawl " sprag " may engage when desired. In addition to this lay-shaft brake, which is actuated by the right-hand pedal, there are brake-drums fixed to each drivingwheel, and, inside these, renewable metal shoes are brought into frictional contact by the use of the side brakelever. The latter set of brakes is compensated by a balancing lever.
Our sectional drawing of the backaxle shows the side brake-drums as forming part of the chain-wheels, and we would draw our readers' attention to this fact, and to the excellent means whereby concentricity of the chainwheels and the axle is secured. Instead of making the outer flange of thedriving hubs a loose one, as is the usuat practice, the inner flange is the looseone, and forms part of the chain-ring casting. The axle itself is simply a, straight, round bar of tough steel.
The leading axles on these vehicles also have a businesslike appearance, and are well up to the work they are called upon to perform. There is nothing particularly novel in their design, but the ample bearing surfaces should conduce to long life for the parts, and easy steering. The worm and quadrant steering-gear permits of an ample degree of lock.
The spring suspension system is also worthy of note : there are no lengthy spring-shackles connecting the rearbearing springs to the frame, but the ends of the springs are fitted with slippers, which slide on sole-plates affixed to the undersides of the channel-steel longitudinal members of the main frame, The general disposition of all the parts on the frame renders them most accessible.
C13, which is carrying a 3o-cwt. load, had experienced no loss during the first in days of running in the trials, whilst D20 had lost 58 minutes during the same period. The slops were all of short duration ; they occurred during the first four days' running, and were obviously due to a want of thorough tuning up before entry upon the trials.
The Halley Company publishes a very complete estimate and specification of its 20h.p. vehicles, in which more detailed particulars are given than is customary with many manufacturers, and any of our readers who care to apply to the company for a copy of this specification will find that it contains useful general information. Only the highest grade of material and workmanship is employed, and the vehicles are unquestionably the outcome of lengthy and costly experiment. A guarantee is given that the company will supply, free of charge, during the first three months after delivery, any part which may break or give out owing to defective material or workmanship, provided the broken or damaged part is returned to the works for examination prior to the acceptance of liability.
The following spare parts are supplied with each vehicle, without extra charge, but no lamps or horn will be supplied with a chassis only :-1 exhaust valve spring ; i inlet-valve spring ; i valve with cap and cotter;
fan belt ; 4 ignition tappet-springs ; 2 ignition spindle-springs ; 2 ignition tappets ; assortment of copper arid asbestos joints ; i petrol filler ; x oil can ; 2 rubber connections and 2 clips ; 2 spare links for chain ; complete set of spanners ; i hand hammer; r screw driver ; i chipping chisel ; r water filler; 42 assorted spring washers ; 3 feet of II.T. wire ; 6 feet of L.T. wire ; 2 rear brake-springs ; r accelerator spring ; 33 assorted nuts ; i pair pliers; 30 ordinary washers ; and one dozen assorted bolts.
For Commercial Travellers.
The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., is steadily exploiting the different fields where commercial motors specially appeal to the alert business firm, and, owing to the well-known reliability of its vehicles, it is seldom that the company fails to secure an order where its stall gels into touch with an interested buyer. Its roost recent departure is to meet the wants of the wholesale drapery and allied trades, the travellers of which have, hitherto, been generally conveyed along with their samples in horse-drawn vehicles. The r6h.p. Albion, travellers' brougham, which this company has placed on the market, is about as complete a vehicle as it is possible to design, and those firms, who have had the enterprise to try this new mode of pushing their wares throughout the country, already find a handsome return in the increase in turnover of their travellers, on account of the extra number of calls they can make in a day. There also is a considerable saving in travelling expenses, as compared with horse-drawn vehicles.