MAKING A SIX.WHEELER OF THE FORD.
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A Semi-trailer Attachment which Increases the Ford's Load-carrying Capacity from
1 ton to 24 tons.
XTIPHa view to extending the range V V of usefulness of the Ford 1-ton chassis—or, for that matter, any other chassis of a like capacity—R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., 76-SO, Grafton Street, Liverpool, S., who have had much experience in the design and construction of semi-trailing units and trailers proper for haulage work, have recently introduced a trailer attachment specifically designed for this purpose. By the use of this semi-trailer, which is of sound and robust build, the Voi.id chassis is, it is claimed, capable of dealing with 21-ton loads without exhibiting the slightest distress, a fact for which the sturdy and powerful engine must be appraised.
The standard trailer attachment for the Ford is 13 ft. 7 ins, long overall and 6 ft. 6 ins, wide, and is constructed of channel-steel throughout, a subchannel being employed to ensure that the height of the platform is such that it will conveniently fit over the rear end of the prime mover.
The front end of the attachment is fitted with two adjustable screw-jacks, which can he lowered into position, and are capable of supporting the loaded trailer when it is disconnected from the hauling medium. These jacks are permanently attached to the trailer, and, when not in use, are hinged upwards and retained in a handy position.
' The turntable at the front end of the trailer is of Dyson manufacture, and, although simple in construction, it is of sound and practical design, and perfectly foolproof in use.. Moreover, it is possible to disconnect lorry and trailer from one another in the space of 10 mins. This is certainly a feature which will appeal to users who are concerned with the time factor, and who realize that costs per ton-mile are often inflated through inordinate delays in loading and unloading, since by the use of two trailers one can be loaded in readiness to be coupled up to the lorry upon its return while the other is delivering its ;Dad. This procedure would inevitably save much time in the aggregate, although perhaps not a Beal on a single load.
The rear carriage of the Dyson attachment is provided with two long laminated springs of ample depth, which are mounted in sliding shoes and spring slides of Dyson design. The rear axle is of the Ford square-bed pattern, and can be . fitted with phosphor-bronze bushes or ball bearings. So far as wheel equipment is concerned, •the purchaser has the option of those of cast-steel or of the steel disc type, but in each case super-cushion tyres of 120 nun. section for 720 mm. fitting are used.
The brakes on the trailer wheels are of the external-contracting pattern, and are fully compensated. The brake shoes take effect on large-diameter steel drums
attached to the wheels, and they are actuated by cable from a lever which is disposed in the driver's cab.
As we have already said, the Ford ton chassis, hauling a Dysou semi-trailer, is fully able to deal with a 21-ton load, and a point that should not be forgotten is that the east of dealing With a load of this volume is not materially greater than that for dealing with a full-capacity load were the vehicle used in its more normal guise. Certain items associated with running expenses are quite naturally somewhat increased—fuel and oil consumption, tyre wear, etc., for example— but the extra cost is of little concern when compared with the additional load transported. Where bulky loads have to be dealt with, and it is found that the available landing space on the ordinary ton chassis is insufficient, the Dyson trailer attachment should prove of the utmost value, even though it may not always be found possible to load it to full capacity in the matter of weight.
The selling price of the attachment, complete with a fiat platform body, is i95, at which figure it represents a good proposition for those desirous of extending the haulage capabilities of the lighter units of their fleets. It should be mentioned that the platform space can be altered, either in length or width, to suit individual requirements, whilst different types of body can be fitted to meet the varying needs of users in all trades.