A Mobile Workshop for Overhead Wires.
Page 27
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THERE has lately been placed upon the market by the Scemia Co. (the selling organization for Schneider productions, and represented in this country by.Laffly (England) Co., Ltd., of 2028, Lonsdale Road, London, N.W.6), a new power wagon particularly designed for the upkeep of overhead cables for tramway and trolley-bus systoles. A very interesting and quite novel feature of the machine is a roofed-in cabin, Which, being fitted with a bench equipped with a vice and having a tool chest with a carefully selected batch of tools, is intended to be used as a workshop for the carrying out of immediate repairs, thus avoiding the need for taking or sending parts to the depot to be attended to. Quite a large proportion of the repairs called for can be effected on the spot, so that the addition of this cabin means a substantial saving in men's time and the more rapid rectification of faults. The cabin serves also for the transport of stores and provides a lock-up for equipment, thus avoiding the need for the removal of tools, apparatus and equipment when the machine returns to depot, whilst, of course, facilitating turning out on an emergency call and avoiding opportunities for wasting time, The extending tower is mounted on a standard Lafily 3-ton chassis and is operated by hand from a geared winch. When the tower is lowered it has an overall height from the ground of 13 ft. 1J: ins, and, when extended, the height of the platform is 19 ft. 8i ins. above ground level. The platform is provided with strong guard 'rails and is reached by a ladder which telescopes with the tower. The guard rails can be lowered to platform level in order that the collapsed height of 13 ft. 11 intk. shall not be exceeded when proceeding to or from the scene of operations.
The power unit is a four-cylindered monobloc engine of 22.4 h.p.
rating with, a Solex carburetter, magneto ignition, pressure lubrication, pump circulation to the cooling water and a governor acting on the induction and proof against interference. The power is transmitted through a disc clutch, Ferodo-f aced, a four-speed gearbox giving speeds of 4, 71, 12 and 17 m.p.h., and a double-reduction back axle. The brakes act on the transmission and on the rear wheels. The wheels are equipped with pneumatic tyres, 955 mm. by 155 mm., twins at the rear,
because it is found that pneumatics give every satisfaction with a mileage equal to that given by solids, whilst giving the added advantages of quieter running and absence of undue vibration. The wheelbase of the machine is 13 ft. 10 ins. and the overall length 20 ft. 4 ins., the total weight being 41 tons.
The equipment includes electric lighting and engine starter, this being considered necessary because of the frequent stops which must be made by such a machine in service. We are informed that the price is £1.050, delivered at the London works of Lalily (England), Ltd.