keeping them running
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by Trevor Longcroft
Clutch cables
Mintex has arranged with the Automotive Products to distribute the full range of AP clutch cables through the UK network of 24 Mintex service depots. The Mintex decision to enter this market will enable it to enlarge the existing Mintex transmission spares service which already includes Borg and Beck and Laycock driven plates, as well as clutch covers and release bearings.
The full AP list of cables comprises 30 part numbers covering Bedford vans, Ford cars and vans, Hillman Avenger and Vauxhall.
Distributed by: Mintex Ltd, PO Box No 18. Cleckheaton, Yorkshire B D19 3UJ.
Spray head
Known as the Quick Change Multeejet AA120 a spray head has been developed by the Spraying Systems Division of C. T. (London), which incorporates four orifices in a hardened stainless steel spray tip; this is adjustable and gives the operator a choice of four different patterns from a solid stream jet to a wide-angle spray.
Spray tips in various pattern combinations are available and some tips have one orifice (spray or jet) with an extra high flow capacity. Developed for application to the spray tips, the 13340 series of siphon injectors provide a means of siphoning and metering concentrated chemicals or detergents into watet spray lines for low pressure washing and spraying applications.
Designed for use on hand lances and guns, the standard Multeejet has a main body of brass, and weighs 3oz. It is available in 1in. NPT, 'in. NPT and N-16 thd. inlet connections to fit Spraying Systems equipment. The spray tip is set in a tip holder held by a knurled retaining ring. To change from one orifice to another the pressure is shut off, and by rotating the knurled retaining ring the spray tip can be positively indexed to a new setting.
There is a selection of Multeejet spray heads, each with four orifices. One orifice gives a solid stream jet, another gives a 15deg angle spray. In addition, some spray heads have 40deg angle and 65deg angle orifices, 'while in others one of the wide-angle sprays is replaced by an oversize low pressure orifice used when spraying chemical or detergent solutions. Using the normal high pressure orifices, pressures up to 1000 psi can be employed with flow rates up to a maximum of 4.8 US gal /min, depending on the model.
The siphon injectors are made in br.7ss. They work on the venturi principle and are suitable only for high-capacity spray lines. One problem often experienced when spraying chemicals is that, since most siphon injectors are installed on the inlet side of the pump, a chemical must pass through the pump to the nozzle.
This can create difficulties when using corrosive chemicals. Spraying Systems have overcome the problem by designing two of their new siphon injectors specifically for installation on the high pressure side of the pump. One type is adjustable so that the operator can vary the proportion of additive in the water. Inlet-side siphon injectors can be supplied in adjustable or non-adjustable form.
Made by: C. T. (London) Ltd, Spraying Systems Division, 3 Hobart Place, London SW1.
Nut persuader
A nut impact tool . has been developed by Hi-Line Automotive Products that is said to enable the most stubborn nut or stud to be removed. Known as the Hi-Line Persuader, it has pivoted arms with end weights and an impact force of up to 1000lb is created by swinging the arms as a preliminary to engagement, its rated torque being 7001b ft. The tool measures 22in. x 7in. folded and 22in. x 25in. when it is open. Price: £15.
Made by: Hi-Line Automotive Products Ltd, Ditton Priors Trading Estate, Nr. Bridgnorth, Salop.
Mechanical grab
Hunter (Mechanical Handling has developed a range of mech anicalty operated grabs for hand ling block packs.
The 30cwt capacity grab: have a lightweight constructior and are designed for vehicle.
mounted and overhead cranes Their lft 6in. headroom i designed to allow for tht handling of maximum deptl block packs of various sizes IA to 8ft x 5ft.
The grabs are automatic ir operation, one cycle for pickini up a block pack, the second fo dropping it. Rubber grip point are fitted.
Prices: £280 to £340.
Made by: Hunter IMechanica Handling) Ltd, Gumley road Grays, Essex.
Tight-fining mats
A dirt-trap rim is a feature of range of light vehicle mate announced by Frigicold, whic enables debris to be containe and easily removed.
Imported from Sweden, tt mats are designed to give a tigl fit and are not displaced t continual movement of tt pedals. They are available non-clash colours in sizes cove ing a wide range of car-bast vans.
Price: £1.98 per pair.
Marketed by: Frigicold Ltd, 16 Dukes Road, Western Avenue London W3 OTJ.
hermoforming
Croydon-based expanded rubber and plastics division. Plastazote can now be shaped by vacuumforming at thicknesses up to 30mm. Potential applications for thick-walled Plastazote shapes include gearbox covers, vehicle roof linings and packaging units for heavy items. athods have been evolved by kelite Xylonite for thermoming Plastazote, the closed! expanded polyethylene foam aet produced by the company's
cked away in some forgotten -ner of the average workshop ! various pieces of equipment ich, if they are not broken, no really knows how to use. To ore this equipment is a waste -noney.
Nhat can one do to put this iipment to full use? TI Transt Equipment Services Ltd,
stol Road. Bridgwater, -nerset, a company which rkets Crypton, Bradbury and irchill garage equipment, has antly opened a fitter training tre at Daventry,
he centre offers three courses ering engine testing and fault ing, and light van electrical :ems; each course lasts five s, and qualifies for the TB grant. A correspondence rse is available too.
he company also runs a contract maintenance scheme to keep test equipment in tip-top condition. Inspection is carried Out every four months and covers all necessary lubrication and adjustment, together with fitting (though not the cost) of replacement parts. Instruments are recalibrated and dry batteries, if used, are replaced irrespective of condition.
Prices for the service range from £7 per year for bench battery chargers to £35 for 14ton commercial vehicle lifts. Supplementing both these services, the company offers a technical information service to provide up-to-date data against which checks and adjustments can be made. This service costs £14 or less depending on the amount of equipment used. The 30mm sheets are formed by heating the sheet for about five minutes between two banks of infra-red sandwich heaters. If a male tool is used and a bubble is blown, warm air and a slowly formed vacuum are required to blow the bubble. If a female tool is employed, the tool temperature is kept at approximately 70deg C and a slow vacuum is applied. By using both male and female moulds, the cooling times are approximately 2;min, If sheet thickness is less than 30mm, forming time is reduced proportionately. An alternative method comprises simple matched-mould forming. In this process, Plastazote is preheated to 140deg C/160deg C, and formed into or around a simple moulding jig. It is held in position until cooled.
Evolved by: Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, Enford House, 139 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5QE.
Cleaning gun
A suction-cleaning and blowing gun, produced by W. and J. Foster. operates in a range of pressures from 80 psi to 145 psi and uses 2.5 cu ft of air per minute at 85 psi. All non-metallic parts are made of a plastics material that is said to be unbreakable and shock-proof. It is known as the Foster-Wagner Tornado.
Suction and blowing can be finely adjusted and the change from one to the other is made by a single finger movement. The gun is claimed to be particularly suitable for cleaning lathes, milling machines, office machinery, television sets and so on.
Made by: W. and J. Foster Ltd, 88-96 Market Street West, Preston PR1 2HR, Lancs.
Mudflaps
The range of thermoplastics mudflaps, produced by Boyden and Jacks, has been increased to 35 stock sizes covering all types of goods vehicle and psv. Known as Featherwing, the mudflaps are produced from a specially selected grade of polyethylene and are said to offer a high resistance to tearing and chemical attack and to have a long wearing life.
The company has established a new printing department with the up-to-date screen making equipment to cater for the increasing demand for monogrammed mudflaps covering single or multi-coloured styles.
Made by: Boydell and Jacks Ltd, Sunderland Street Works, Gannow Lane, Burnley, Lancashire, 131312 SHY.
Suction sweeper
Produced by Columbus Dixon, the L12 motorized suction sweeper is a heavy-duty machine designed for the maintenance of internal and external areas such as factory approaches, loading bays, garage forecourts, carparks, playgrounds and so on.
Capable of operating at speeds up to 4 mph, the sweeper has a sweeping width of approximately 36in, and can clean an uncluttered area of 60,000 sq ft in less than an hour. It takes up dirt, dust and chunky litter such as metal swarf, wood shavings and bottles.
Mounted on an extension arm at the front of the machine, a 20in. revolving brush is retractable in awkward areas and sweeps up to walls and kerbs to channel litter into the path of the main 24in. roller brush which revolves at up to 460 rpm. The refuse is separated and deposited into an easily removable bin with a capacity of 2.1 cu ft, while the dust and dirt are sucked into, and contained by, a suction filter system which prevents any redistribution into the atmosphere.
Based on a welded steel chassis, the L12 is powered by an air-cooled petrol engine. There are no gears apart from forward and reverse. The rear wheels are steered and the machine is controlled by a wheel, a single rocker pedal, a handbrake and a lever that operates the throttle, choke and engine switch. A spring-loaded driving pedal provides for stopping the vehicle when the foot is removed.
The simple hand controls are conveniently positioned on a central panel beside the driver. There is one lever control of the choke, throttle and engine switchoff. A powerful handbrake enables the machine to be driven safely on ramps and sloping ground. The driving pedal is spring-loaded so that when foot pressure is released the sweeper comes to a halt. There is also a control which shuts off suction in wet weather.
Made by: Columbus Dixon Ltd, Lancelot Road, Wembley, Middx.
Conveyor
A new-type powered conveyor to accelerate loading of vehicles and freight containers has been developed by W and C Pantin.
Sited on the vehicle loading bay, the conveyor extends unsupported up to 40ft making it suitable for use in the body of the largest containers. It is controlled by push button from the unloading position, retracting as necessary as the container or vehicle is filled.
Made by: W and C Pantin Ltd, Centre Drive, Epping, Essex.
Bar clamp
Spring-loaded jamming wedges are a special feature of the Jet bar type clamping system made by British Steel Springs, which are incorporated in each arm and enable the arms to be quickly adjusted in any position on the bar, which has a standard length of 12in. and is available in lengths up to 72in. Any number of jaw sets can be mounted on a single bar.
Increasing the pressure on the pads of the arms increases the clamping force and the heads. can be reversed to provide an outward pressure. The pads are of the snap-on swivelling type.
One of the clamping arms in a pair incorporates a tightening knob. When this is turned the complete arm swivels on the bar to apply the clamping force. On short spans this can be as high as 1000lb ft, although the normal capacity of the clamp is 500lb ft. In operation the clamp is swivelled through a small angle and slid along the bar to the new position. While hand pressure is maintained against the springloaded locking wedge the clamp can be moved easily along the bar.
The clamps can be reset at any point along the bar: there is no incremental adjustment. Immediately the arm is released spring loading is reapplied to restore the arm to its working position. The clamp locks firmly in the exact position at which it is set.
Price: £4.50.
Made by: British Steel Springs Ltd, Union Row, Handsworth, Birmingham, 921 9EW.
Fire exit
A fire exit emergency light is produced by Autoslave Wardale. Lettering size is 5in. for the UK, but 4in. and 7in. letters in various legends can be produced.
The sign illuminates automatically as soon as the normal current supply fails and subsequent recharge is automatic. A neon pilot light is fitted to indicate standby readiness.
The fitting, which is made from 20 swg rust resistant Zintex, contains nickel cadmium batteries, a charger, and automatic control gear. Ventilating louvres are situated at each end, conduit entries are placed on the top and sides for ease of installation, and a light escape aperture is situated in the base of the unit to locate and illuminate the appropriate doorway or exit.
Made by: Autoslave Wardale, 96/98 Earl Street, Northampton.
High-pressure cleaner
From Long and Company Comes a cleaner for wet sand blasting paint, desealing and rust removal which produces a water pressure of 800 psi at a standard volume of 8gal per minute; it is available in diesel or electric driven form.
Both versions have a one-piece removable canopy for easy maintenance and can be operated with two gun attachments.
The electric version has a three-phase 400V motor, the diesel unit a 10 hp air-cooled engine.
Made by: A. Long and Co Ltd, Hydrojet Division, Priory House,
Suction pump
A manually operated vacuum unit designed to remove sump and gearbox oil has been developed by Portapack.
The Suctionaire is selfcontained and has a 6ft suction hose. A vacuum is created in the unit, and the probe inserted to the bottom of the sump. Other maintenance jobs may be carried out while the oil is being sucked up. The waste oil may bE discharged into a container frorr the unit.
The unit can be supplied with probes suitable for any orifice — from dip-stick guides on interna combustion engines to ;in. oi bsp filler plugs on industria gearboxes. An air-operatec model — the Mark III — is alsc available.
Price: £78 both models.
Made by: Portapack Ltd, Londor Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.