THE PUBLIC WORKS AND ROADS CONGRESS.
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 52
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Detailed Commentary on the Extensive Range of Exhibits to be Seen at the Agricultural Hall, Chief Amongst which are those of Outstanding Interest to Municipal Authorities.
MHE exhibits at the Agricultural Hall are, as might be expected, more concentrated and localized in their interest than those at Olympia. The petrol vehicle, although not quite absent, is in the minority. Every vehicle is, in its purpose directed towards some phase of road construction, repair Lel maintenance, or to some municipal use. There are no passenger or public-service vehicles, nor are there any exhibits likely to interest the wholesale or retail distributor. At the same time it must not be assumed that this exhibition falls behind, the other in interest,. It. does not, and it may even be said that the variety of uses to which the commercial motor vehicle may be put is amplified to a considerable extent in its application to purposes which this exhibition is intended to demonstrate.
In this connection particular interest attaches to the display which is made by W. and J. Glossop, of Halifax, makers of tar-spraying machinery, and who show a couple of machines adapted for this purpose built on two Atkinson 6-ton steam wagons. As the whale utility of these machines turns upon the availability of an ample supply of steam for their operation, it is clear that, but for the availability of the commercial motor in the form of a steam wagon, this 'class of machinery would not be practicable. Both these machines are alike as to their general features, any difference being due to the circumstance that bitumen calls for higher temperature for its manipulation and, therefore, demands more steam. The whole operation, starting with replenishment of the 1,050-gallon tar tank, to the final spraying of the tar on to the 'tad surface, is performed by steam in some way or another. The capacity of this machine is such that it will spray from 6,000 yds. to 10,000 yds. an hour, over a width of 8 ft. An interesting feature is the automatic adjustment for height of the spray jets from the ground, so that as the lank empties and the springs assume a deeper camber, the jets themselves are, nevertheless, maintained at constant, height. The importance of this can be realized in view of the fact that, but for this arrangement, a variation of as much as 50 per cent. in the height would be brought about by the lifting of the wagon on its springs as the tank empties.
Another example of the use of steam vehicles to facilitate tar-spreading is to be seen on the Aveling and Porter stand, where, in addition to a compound steam roller and an oil engine roller, there is shown a tar tank, which is close coupled to the steam roller, so that the engine of the latter can drive the mechanism for mixing and distribution of the tar, and, at the same time, steam horn the boiler of the roller can conveniently be let into the tank to melt the tar and keep it fluid. The cross-shalt on the front of the tank is driven by a chain from the steam roller, and from this various other driving chains provide the necessary power for the mechanisms within the tank. Tbe control of these gears is effected from the roller by the man in charge of the tank_ The steam roller is a standard model, of the three-wheeled type, with compound engine.
Wagons and Rollers by Robey.
The Robey exhibit is a 6-ton steam wagon, with three-way Upping gear, made to the order of a coal-dealer, and appropriately painted black, with gold lettering. The chassis of this vehicle embodies the usual Robey features, and, in , addition, has a three-speed gear. The boiler is mounted on a. substantial steel cross-bar, upon which are located the mountings for the various gears. The arrangement eliminates the risk of trouble arising from uneven expansion of boiler and frame. The steering gear is of the semi-traction engine type, embodying a horizontal Worm and wheel, the latter mounted on the pivot of the axle, with springs to afford the necessary resilience. The boiler is designed to need as few riveted joints as possible; the lower part of the firebox being round, instead ef square, allows of the front axle being brought a little farther back than usual, thus improving the distribution of the load between the two axles.
The steam roller which is exhibited by Ttobey is of the tandem type, and appears to incorporate the steam wagon boiler and power unit. It is a really workmanlike and practical job.
Another exhibit on the same stand is a portable steam engine.
The International Motor street sweeping machine which is shown on the stand of G. R Archer and Co. is an entirely new production, not having hitherto been exhibited in this country. A one-ton Ford chassis is used, and is fitted with larger wheels, as well as being lifted a matter of 6 ins. or 8 ins. on the front axle by interposing light-steel framework between the axle and the shackles of the transverse front spring. The drive for the brush gear is taken off a rearward extension of the worm shaft, the first reduction being by chains to a short shaft, then through bevel gears, and another chain which runs over jockey pulleys to another skew bevel reduction, .which brings us to a cross-shaft mounted over the brush and in line with it ; the final drive to the brush is again by chain. Provision for all the necessary control of the operation of the brush is afforded and is accomplished by the manipulation of two levers only.
John Fowler and Co., Leeds, are showing a motor road roller, a compound steam roller, a Hercules compound convertible steam tractor, a road roller, and a scarifier.
The motor roller is a four-cylinder engine, designed to use petrol or paraffin ; an epicyclic gear Is arranged inside the flywheel so as to afford the necessary instantaneous reverse gear, which is so desirable in • a roller of this type. The final drive is by spur gear, meshing with large spur wheels keyed to the axle. A differential lock is provided.
A Steam Tractor-cum-Road Roller.
A feature of the Hercules steam tractor is that it is equipped with the Fowler patent rapid change-over device, by which it can easily be converted to a road roller. This tractor is designed to comply with the new Light Locomotive Act, and is particularly interesting on that account. As a tractor—in which guise it is shown—it is equipped with solid-rubber tyres. The exhibit is so arranged that the facility with which it can be converted from tractofto roller, and vice versa, is easily demonstrated.
Another exhibit is a concrete mixer, with a capacity for T Cu. ft. per batch, equipped with paraffin engine and a power loader, and embodies many interesting and ingenious features.
Ruston and Hornsby's leading exhibit, in point of size, is a grab-ditcher, excavator or crane navvy, which appears to be of a type similar to that which has been so busily engaged in excavating the ground for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. It embodies a crane and grab, complete with boiler and steam engine, all mounted on a turntable frame, which is supported on the chassis with caterpillar-type tracks. Another interesting exhibit is the motor road roller, which has a two-cylinder engine of A/ h.p., a three-speed gear and final drive by roller chain. The weight is variable from 6 tons to 7 tons, in accordance with the amount of ballast used. In order that the essential feature of quick reverse may be obtained, the cross-shaft, whence the final drive is taken, is equipped -with reverse gear and double-cone clutches. It is possible, by the manipulation of these clutches, to reverse the movement of the roller without disengaging any of the gears.
There are several other exhibits, including a couple of oil engines and pumps; also a vertical steam boiler of unusual interest.
A New Model Quick-reverse Roller.
There are two Armstrong-Whitworth rollers on view—one of the ordinary type, similar to that which was shown for the first time at the Royal Show at Newcastle this year ; the other an entirely new model with quick-reverse Motion. The former is shown on the staud of R. S. Clare and Co., the latter on Armstrong-Whitworth's own stand. The special features of this engine are the use of a twin high-pressure engine, designed to be instantaneously reversible, and the embodiment of a differential gear in the rear roller, which is divided in the centre. Another useful feature is the equipment of this machine with power steering. The driver merely exerts pressure on the steering wheel in one direction or the other, the effect being to engage one or other of a pair of clutches, which transmit engine power to the steering gear. If it be desired to revert to hand control, it is only necessary to lift the steering wheel from its spindle and transfer it to another.
The Barford and Perkins stand is of particular interest as displaying two new model rollers. One of these, the tandem type F.S. 8, as it is called, is really an older model rode
signed ; it embodies the .Albion 26 h.p. engine as fitted to the latest type of War Office subsidy chassis. Another new fea
ture on this machine is the employment of a radiator to assist in engine cooling, instead of, as formerly, a large water tank.
The larger three-wheel roller is of interest as embodying a Ricardo engine, similar to that which is used in the Peter bro' tractor. The power of this engine varies from 35 h.p. to 40 h.p., according to whether the fuel is paraffin or petrol. The roller weighs 12 tons, which may be increased to 14i tons with ballast.
.Another exhibit is a three-wheel footpath roller, driven by a 10 h.p. four-cylinder petrol engine, weighing 36 cwt., and capable of rolling to a width of 4 ft. Other exhibits include several types of scarifiers.
The Green exhibit consists of a 10-ton compound steam roller and a 4-ton motor roller, the latter being fitted with two-cylinder Dorman engine, with first reduction from the gearbox by spur gear, and final drive by large single roller chain.
An interesting exhibit on this stand is the four-tine road scarifier, which, we are informed, is being exhibited for the first time. Its outstanding feature is the provision of worm and wheel steering gear, controlled from the rear, and also a means whereby the number of tines in use may be modified, in accordance with circumstances.
A useful line of roadmaking and repairing machinery is made by Broom and Wade, and a considerable number of their machines are exhibited, particularly their various types
of air-compressing unit, one of which is mounted on a Peer. . less lorry, the drive being arranged in connection with the gearbox of the chassis.
The Blackstone exhibit includes an oil locomotive made by Ibis firria embodying their patent three-cylinder cold-starting paraffin engine, the feature of which is its embodiment of a compressing cylindar which charges a receiver mounted on the chassis, so that there is always a supply of compressed air available for starting the engine.
Another exhibit is the nott-chokable pump, which is being shown in operation in such a manner as to demonstrate the fact that it can cope with all sorts of dirty water, and even water that carries a considerable quantity of solid material_
William Foster and Co., Ltd., are not, as was anticipated, showing one of their steam wagons, but, instead, are dis
playing one of their standard road tractors, equipped with solid-rubber tyres. An interesting detail of the tractor is the employment of the Common Sense oil pump, which is one of Foster's patents, and which has the advantage that, while the suction stroke is, as it must be, slow, the delivery stroke is •made quickly, so as to eliminate leakage. This is effected by making use of a spring-operated plunger, the spring operating only on the delivery strolre.
Caterpillar Tractors in Two Models.
Caterpillar Tractors are showing a couple of their interesting machine-s--one' beinga two-tormer and the other a fivetonner. The outstanding feature of caterpillar tractors is, of course the track, which is the original Holt design and patent. This type of machine is being increasingly used, in conjunction with certain auxiliary equipment, for public work of all kinds; and it might almost be said that more interest attaches to the photographs which are shown on this stand than to the machines themselves,
a Another Aveling and Porter steam roller is to be observed on the atand of the Ecklison Steam Rolling Co., Ltd., oI Dorchester, a firm which specializes in road construction and maintenance contracts of all kinds.
Electricars, Ltd., show a chassis of one of their refuse collecting wagons, and not a complete vehicle, as was intended. The other machine, however, is the industrial tip wagon, to which we made reference in our forecast of the exhibits.
The chassis was particularly interesting in view of the arrangement of the driving mechanism of the vehicle. Two motors are employed—one at each side of the frame—and disposed longitudinally, each driving its own rear wheels through the medium of double reduction gears, the whole of the transmission being enclosed and running in off. Two sets of brakes are fitted, both operating direct on to the rear wheels. . The smaller vehicle is snore on the lines of what is becoming generally known as an industrial truck. It is very ingeniously equipped with a dump type of steel body, arranged to tip to the rear, and provided with a neat electrically driven screw and nut tipping gear at the front end_ The tailboard is arranged to open automatically as the wagon, tips. On the stand of Gaston, Ltd., is shown an interesting range of Rex concrete mixers; these are made in all sizes, and latest examples are displayed on the stand, the smaller ones being fitted with reverted petrol engine mixer, the engine being mounted on the same platform, so as to be readily portable.
Haulage Improvements and Constructions, Ltd. are showing a tank wagon and a light trailer, both embodying this company's novel and patented features of eonstructioti, in eluding the spring suspension, in which horizontal laminated semi-elliptic springs and both horizontal and • vertical coil springs are ingeniously combined in such a way that the horizontal component of road shocks is absorbed just as much as are the vertical components. Another interesting feature is the arrangement of the tow-barb which is so sprung as to reduce the intensity of shocks which are transmitted whenever a tractor or motor vehicle of any kind commences to haul g trailer.
The tanker is D-shaped and has a capacity of 1,200 gallons. The Ingersoll Rand Co. show three 'types of their well. known air compressors and also a number of pneumatic road. breaking and making machines adapted for use in conjunction with these compressors. Other exhibits include a range of Leyner sharpeners and suitable oil furnaces for use in conjunction with them.. •
Interesting Lure Exhibit.
On the Lacre stand are two vehicles, a road sweeper, and a 2-2k-ton tipping wagon, 'both being typical representatives of these two of the several lines for which this company is noted.
A feature of the road sweeper is the arrangement Made for quick detachment of the brush, which can then be replaced by a scraper or a squeegee or even a snow-plough—this facility naturally greatly increasing the overall utility of the machine.
A special feature of the Lacre is, of course, its threewheeled construction, and the arrangement whereby the .driver sits at the rear end of the chassis and can keep his eye on the work as it progresses.. The machine exhibited is equipped with a couple of road sprayers mounted just in front of the chassis.
An interesting feature of the tipping wagon is the design of the gear. This is a hand-operated mechanism, in which the hand gear revolves the couple of pinions which engage with teeth on the underside of a .pair of long•eteel bars,
free at their forward ends, and attached at their rear ends to a spindle secured to the underside of the body. On this same spindle are a couple of rollerS or guide wheels, which: run along the top of the ehaesis frame arida eventually, by suitable ramps, tilting the wagon accordingly. The feature of the gear is that tipping does not take place until the wagon is so tar hack as almost to tin itself.
Representative Laffly Exhibit.
The Laffiy exhibit is a very comprehensive one, so much so that in the space at our disposal we can do no mere than enumerate them.
Perhaps the best known is the road-sweeping machine, the particular one staged being known as type D 3, and having a, brush of an effective length-6 ft. It is equipped with a 136-gallon water tank and suitable spraying apparatus. The gurney emptier is shown also a motor road roller of 10 tons; the power unit of this machine is an exceptionally substantial-looking four-cylinder petrol-paraffin engine, with overhead valve gear.
Another machine of interest is the combined watering and sweeping machine. This has a six-foot brush, and carries also a water tank with a capacity of 670 gallons. It is designed to spray over a width of 60 ft. Another exhibit of a similar order is the combined watering and washing machine, designed to be convertible to accommodate tipping body; it is claimed that the conversion takes only ten minutes, and the capacity of the vehicle as a tipping wagon is 4 tons.
Other exhibits are : The Laffiy portable motor Cm-pump, the Daftly Schneider 3-ton chassis, the first-aid motor 'fireengine, a Warren trailer, which is eouipped with Ackerman steering, operated by the tow-bar; a Spires vacuum cleaning apparatu.s, and several component parts.
The most interesting exhibit on the Marshall stand is the tandem steam roller. This has a vertical boiler and a horizontal steam engine, transmitting through spur gear to the rear roller. The engine is a twin-cylinder high-pressure, and designed for quick reverse. The other exhibits are an 8-ten steam roller, with compound engine, and the well-known Mar• shall steam tractor, mounted on steel tyres.
It will hardly be believed that the two engines shown on the stand of the Oxford Steam Plongh Co., Ltd., are what might. be termed "reconditioned " machines. One of them was actually a 5-ton Garrett. tractor converted for use. ae an 8-ton toiler; the other a relVit 10-ton roller. Other eXhibite
include searifiers, roller wheels and other sundries. This company is a large user of road rollers as well as specializing in the maintenance and repair of such machines.
An extremely interesting exhibit, in every sense of the word, is that of the Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co. On the one hand there is a 6-7-ton live-axle-drive chassis, upon which is mounted a tipping wagon embodying this company's wellknown and effective patent tipping gear, in which a horiz ontal screw drives the wagon body backward until it is almost on the point of tipping itself. The necessary impetus to ensure this is then afforded by the front end of the body, which is equipped with suitable rollers, mounting a slight, incline. On this particular chassis power for the tipping gear is derived from a longitudinal shaft driven at its front end from the gearbox, and at its rear end transmitting the power for the screw by means of a roller chain.
Another Yorkshire exhibit is a 3-ton wagon, equipped with a body specially designed for the collection of house refuse, fitted with the same type of tipping gear, the bottom and side of the body being lined with sheet metal. Particular attention is drawn in the case -of the 3-tanner to the low loading level.
A Tractor-trailer Combination Vehicle.
A whole line of trucks of all kinds is shown on the stand of H. C. Slingsby, and among these the most interesting is the electric elevating platform truck. This is a 2-teenier, with electric-motor drive to front wheels, and also equipped with -another motor for lifting the platform and its load to a height of an inch or two from the lowest position. It is intended to be used in the same manner as this company's hand truck of the type in which the platform is pushed under the load and the latter lifted from the floor with the platform of the truck.
One of the most interesting exhibits, from the transport point of view, is that of Tuke and Bell, Ltd., who have ingeniously converted a Fordson tractor so as to make it usable as the power end of a six-wheel tractor-trailer combination. The rear wheels of the tractor are removed, and a frame extension built on to its body to carry the turntable, this frame extension being supported by tho new axle, equipped -with wheels which are driven by chains from the ends of the live-axle shafts of the tractor, The complete vehicle has a capacity of 5 tons, and the engine, although it requires petrol on which' to start, is capable of running on paraffin as its usual fuel. The vehicle exhibited has a tipping body_
The most interesting exhibit on the stand of Wallis and Steevens, Ltd., is, of course, the new Advance steam roller. This engine was recently described very fully in these columns, so that extended reference is not now necessary. its main feature is the provision of means for arranging that the front and rear rollers may conform to the contour of a cambered road, or may be held rigidly, as may be desirable. Other exhibits on this stand are a 10-ton single-cylinder roller and an 8-ton compound.
Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd-, of Lincoln, are showing a
couple of rollers one a steam and the other an oil engine machine. The letter is equipped with a powerful singlecylinder cold-starter oil engine, driving the rear rollers through the medium of a train of spur gears embodying two
speeds and reverse. The other roller is one of the firm'S standard single-cylinder type with complete equipment.
Amongst Some of the Road-making Machinery.
Drummond Brothers are showing a variety of road-making machinery, pulleys, etc., each of them driven by a small single-cylinder engine designated the "Willing Worker." This power unit is of a type well known in agricultural circles running on paraffin after being started on petrol, and is cooled by water contained in a hopper round the cylinder.
Weeks and Son, Ltd., are showing more. interesting examples of their bitumen boilers and sprayers. The latter is of the automatic type, which* sprays the material under pres. sure at a rate which can be predetermined.
F. Walters, of Rugby, show an ingenious three or four-way tipping gear—three if applied to motor vehicles, four-way if fitted to a trailer. It is of the screw-and-nut type and is mechanically operated through spur-and-bevel gearing, the latter, and a nut for the screw, being all contained in a cradle, which is double-truhnioned so that it can swing to either side, or tothe front or rear, according to the way, in which the wagon is to be tipped. Another interesting feature of this vehicle is the arrangement to control the swing doors for side tipping. A hand-operated worm-driven shaft along the side of the body has mounted upon it a couple of drums which are connected to 'the doors through chains.
We are asked to inform our readers that., at the Public Works, Roads and Transport Congress and Exhibition, a club-room has been reserved for the use of members of the Association of Municipal Traders, Ltd.