Laughing Off the Big Bump
Page 35
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SOME curiosity and comment have been aroused among those who have noted the use of steel bumper rollers on military reconnaissance vehicles of American design. Doubt, too, has been expressed as to the value of this fitment, but American authorities claina it to be of vital importance when the cars have to travel over rough ground, encountering difficult obstacles.
On typical Scout cars these tubular steel rollers are 4 ft. long and 12 ins: in diameter. The body of each roller is
made from i-in. material, whilst two reinforcement rings, as well as two bearing heads, are welded within at -spaced positions.
The roller protrudes ahead of the front bumper, thus taking the first Shock when any contact is made. Where it is necessary to cross trenches or sharp dips in the ground the roller is instrumental in preventing the machine from bogging at the front.end.
Ability to climb out of difficult "places is, of course, dependent to a large extent upon the tractive power of the Vehicle. These Scout cars, whith not only are of the half-track type, but also': have' flub t-wheel 'drive, are said-te be capable of tackling a 3-in-5 gradient Vvhen lad.*