A SUCCESSFUL 8-10-TON TRACTOR-TRAILER.
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Further Details of the International-Dyson Outfit which Permits the Employment of Several Interchangeable Trailers WE published in our issue for November 6th an illustration of an International tractor equipped as a.separable tractor-trailer unit by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., 76-SO, Grafton Street, Liverpool, S. This vehicle presents so many points of interest that we have considered it worthy of further mention, and we now show the tractor and trailer separated and the trailer standing on its own legs, whilst, inset, is depicted the rear of the tractor with its steel-plate table and the king-pin to which the trailer is attached.
The outfit comprises a tractor and two detachable trailer units, each with two wheels, and it is the first International machine of its type to be placed on the market. Reports already re ceived regarding its work are so satisfactory that the present user is contemplating the purchase of another vehicle of its kind.
The body is 23 ft. long, 7 ft. 6 ins. wide and 7 ft. high. To detach the trailer, the legs are towered by means of a handle at the side, this operating
. a longitudinal screw through a pair of bevel wheels ; the screw rotates a nut which, in turn, lowers the legs. The legs are of steel tube each carrying at its base a large semi universal "ele phant's foot." These feet are adjustable in height and avoid distortion of the legs upon uneven ground. As the legs are lowered, the trailer brake is automatically applied.
The pin which secures the trailer to the tractor is automatically locked when the legs are up.
Lifting of the trailer is effected by nthins of an inclined plate bolted to a heavy, steel trunnion bar working in bearings secured to the tractor. The upper plate securing the attachment is a stout steel casting containing an automatic locking device. During attachment, a radius on the top plate engages with the base of the inclined plate and the top plate travels up until the centre of the trunnion bar is reached, when the plate swings to the horizontal position.
The opening to the top plate is Vshaped, so that the pin is" guided centrally, and when this pin is fully home the jaws lock it automatically ; should the jaws fail to do this, or if the driver of the tractor has not backed sufficiently, a trip mechanism prevents the trailer legs from being raised clear of the ground.