Straker-Squire.
Page 32
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Double-deck Buses. 50-seater Bus. A-type Chassis.
STAND No. 105
WITH so many buses of Straker. Squire manufacture on the London streets, it is meet that their exhibit should include at least one; as a matter of fact, they actually have two, one built. for Harvey and Burrows and the other a Cambrian. In addition there is a singledeck 30-seater-bus with a single passenger entrance at the near-side rear. The chassis used for all three vehicles is the well-known A type. In this, there is am overhead-valve engine, the rocker arms of which are carried by vertical spring steel strips on which there is no wear. The impeller-type water pump is.driven from a continuation of the San spindle. The drive is taken through a single-plate clutch to a four-speed-and-reverse gearbox mounted on the same sub-frame as the engine.
Behind the gearbox is a very long tubular propeller shaft with carclan joints in which great care has been taken to avoid the entry of dirt, and the egress of lubricant, the final drive being by overhead worm in a pot-type easing. Springing has received the greatest
attention and provision is made on the rear springs for twisting movements of the axle, slippers permitting half an. inch of lateral movement in. each direction. Similar slippers are also used on the front ends of the front springs, whilst ball joints and cups are useci.at the ends where movement is not desired. Both brakes operate on the rear wheels! in drums of very large' diameter. The shoes are internal expanding, the two pairs being situated side by side.
The construction of the chassis is what rniglifbe termed partial forward dash— actually the dash is approximately an line with the centre of the engine so that half the engine is under the front bonnet whilst the other half is protected by a special bonnet inside the scuttle dash. There ia.a very neatarrangement of the steering gear, whieh, although lit appears outsiae the bonnet, merges into the frame and does not detract from the general appearance of the 'vehicle. It has & long drop-arm and a short drag-link running back to the steering arm.