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Increased Capacity Freightmaster

28th April 1961, Page 68
28th April 1961
Page 68
Page 68, 28th April 1961 — Increased Capacity Freightmaster
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York Trailer Co. Development on Van Semi-Trailer

THE latest development by the York Trailer Co., Ltd., Corby, Northants, is the manufacture of a version of their Freightmaster integral van semi-trailer on which the body floor is lowered from a point immediately behind the landing gear to the rear end. One result of this is to give an increase in capacity of some 14 per cent. over the standard Freightmaster.

There are four models of the Drop Deck Freightmaster, as the new design is called. These arc designed for payload capacities of 8, 10. 12 and 14 tons, the first incorporating a . Scammell automatic coupling and landing gear, whilst the last three have S.A.E. fifth-wheel couplings and vertical landing gear.

Slight Variations Although there are a number of variations between the four models—mainly in regard to axle capacities, brake sizes and tyre equipment—in general, dimensions are identical. The only exception is the height from the ground of the front section of the body floor, which in the ease of the 8-ton model is 6 in. greater than on the other three. This difference is to accommodate the automatic coupling gear, and results in there being a 7-ft. 6-in, interior height and a 2-ft. 3-in, drop in the floor on the 8-ton model,, compared with an 8-ft. interior height and a 1-ft. 9-in, drop on the 10-, 12-, and 14-ton-capacity units.

All four models have an overall height of 12 ft. 6 in., •an interior height in the rear portion of 9 ft. 9 in. (floor height at the rear is 2 ft. 9 in.), and 7-ft. 6-in. (standard) or 8-ft. (optional) overall widths.

Internal wheel-boxes measure 3 ft. 7 in. long, 1 ft. 10 in. wide and 1 ft. 7 in. deep; lengths available are 22 ft. to 28 ft. on the 8and 10-ton units, and 22 ft. to 40 ft. on the 10and 12-ton units.

Capacity of the 26,ft.-long Drop Deck Freightmaster is 1,693 cu. ft., compared with 1,483'Cu. ft. for the same length standard Freightmaster. The . unladen weight of this length Drop Deck unit is approximaI,ely 3 tons 2 cwt.

General construction of the Drop Deck Freightmaster is the same as the standard single-axle flat floor model. Axle, suspension, landing 'gear and the method of frameless construction are identical. In addition, the body is built with similar components and alloy extrusions, and, as with the standard Freightmaster, sides, roof, front end and rear doors are of 16.s.w.g., 65S Alclad aluminium alloy sheet.

Side framework of the body is of extruded aluminium alloy posts at 2 ft. centres. These can be located internally or externally. The roof, which has a camber of only 1+ in., is of one-piece construction and skylights can be incorporated if required.

Full-height, full-width rear doors, closing against rubber seals, are fitted as standard, but a drop tailboard and a spring-loaded upper flap can be fitted it required.

Flooring of both Drop Deck and Standard Freightmaster is of 1 nominal thickness hardwood laid Iongi. tudinally on the pressed Steel crossmembers of the sub-frame, which are at 1 ft. centres.

Low-loading

Main advantages of the Drop Deck Freightmaster are the low-loading heighi and the consequent low centre of gravity and extra capacity. These will be beneficial particularly to operaton engaged on furniture removal and the carriage of goods of varying sizes.

Where palletized goods or large pack. ages of a standard size are carried, how. ever, the varying floor heights and whee boxes will be an inconvenience, and wil preclude the use of fork-lift trucks foi loading. However, the standard Freight master is ideally suited for this type 01 loading.

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