30-m.p.h Transporter for 20 Scooters
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L'OR the bulk transport of Albatross motor scooters, the makers, Dayton Cycle Co., Ltd. Park Royal, London, N.W.10, recently put into service a double-deck vehicle which. can accommodate 20 machines without risk of damage or theft.
The framework of the body is built. of rolled-steel angles and flats, the rear frame, which carries the Burtonwood tail lift, being of light alloy. Weight is also reduced by using a resin-bonded plywood roof covered with canvas, with the result that the vehicle turns the scale at under 3 tons.
The upper deck is on a leVel with the floor of the .Luton extension. When the first three vehicles have been loaded at the front of the lower deck, the body is bridged by two tubular support members on to which two hinged flaps are let down. The next three machines are introduced and another pair of flaps is placed in position.
After nine vehicles have been loaded the last pair of six flats is lowered to complete the upper deck. The seven tubular supporting members for the upper-deck sections are quickly located, as each has dowel pins fitting into holes formed in one of the longitudinal bracing members of the steel framework.
Each machine-, which is fitted with its own protective cover, is prevented from moving transversely by two channelshaped fittings which embrace a small arc of each tyre. To secure each machine firmly during transport a rubber-faced bridge piece spans the dual seat and is held to the floor of the vehicle by hookended rods fitting into suitable eyes.
As a protection against petty pilfering, expanded-metal grilles extend half-way
up each deck. The platform of the Burtonwood tail lift encloses the rear end of the lower deck and two expanded metal gates hinge across to close in the upper floor.
The basis of the vehicle is a Thames 4-ton oil-engined chassis with a Baico 45-in. extension. To counteract any tendency to instability resulting from the high level of the upper-deck load, Aeon rubber springs were fitted at the front and rear of the chassis.
Dagenham Motors, Ltd., 374 Ealing Rold, Alperton, Middx, designed and supplied the vehicle, the body of which was built by Reall (Coachbuilders), Ltd., Slough, Bucks.