1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156 
A Big-capacity Trailer of Unusually Low Build
Page 88
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Crane Eightwheeler with the Platform only 2ft. 9 ins. Above Ground Level and Constructed for 10-ton Loads
MANY interesting features are incorporated in a design of trailer recently introduced by Cranes (Dereham), Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk. It is thought by its maker to be unique in respect of low-loading height for its capacity. Described as a, 10-tonner, it is capable, constructionally and legally, of tackling considerably heavier loads. The new model, when unladen, has a platform height of no more than 2 ft. 9f ins., whilst with 10 tons on board, the figure is 2 ft. 8,1
Such a vehicle should prove of great convenience in the transport of machinery and heavy one-piece loads, and that its practical value in this respect is already appreciated is evidenced by the fact that Pickfords, Ltd., and Norman Box, Ltd., have already in use some of the first machines of the new type to be produced.
The vehicle has eight wheels with twin 25-in. by 6-in. tyres on each. It is largely by the employment of 16 tyres that so low a loading line has been practicable. There are to axles in line at the front, also at the rear, a wheel being mounted on each end of each axle, so that all pairs of wheels can -move independently to follow road-surface irregularities. In addition each axle can rock about a longitudinal axis midway between the wheels. The layout is so arranged
c38 that the weight is evenly proportioned among the wheels.
An underslung straight leaf spring is secured at its mid-point to each axle, whilst its ends are carried in bushed brackets in such a manner as to allow rocking movement. To reduce to the minimum scrubbing of the tyres, the pivot centres are in the lowest practicable positions.
• Orthodox in design, the forecarriage has a turntable comprising a steel channel-section circle-plate bearing upon a flat-section ring of similar material, whilst a bronze washer takes the weight. The king-pin, through
which tractive forccs are, of course, transmitted, is 31ins, in diameter, Adequate provision for lubrication of these particularly important parts is provided.
Retardation is afforded by brakes on the four rear wheels. These are applied by a cable, enclosed in a flexible casing and passing to the tractor through the turntable, or by a hand lever mounted at the side of the trailer.
A cross-shaft mounted in selfaligning ball bearings is included in the brake mechanism, whilst a type of universal joint is incorporated in the final brake rods to allow for the oscillation of the axles. A spare wheel is mounted conveniently amidships.
The platform is 17 ft. long and 7 ft. 6 ins. wide. The vehicle is permitted a speed of 18 m.p.h. when towed by a lorry or pneumatic-tyred tractor. Its low centre of gravity gives good stability, and smooth running is ' afforded by the lightly loaded tyres and the excellent suspension system.
We are informed by the maker that the vehicles now in operation are giving satisfactory service.