Tractor-vans on Biscuit Transport.
Page 67
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IT LIE transport of biscuits and
similar commodities by road motor d'ernands!the employment of a type of vehicle which, above all things, must provide considerable loading space, for when engaged on distribution work large mileages have often to be undertaken, and it is obvious that the greater the load the lower the cost per ton-mile. This is one of the reasons that two Leyland Carrimore six-wheeled tractorvaus have recently been put into service by the well-known biscuit-Making concern of .Meredith and Drew, Ltd. These Vehicles have to OPertite over long distances at a good average speed;, at the same time space considerations at at least, one of the company's factories prevent the use of straight-frame vehicles. The bodies were built by W. mid T. Robson, Ltd., and are. 22 ft. 6 ins. long.Includingthe roof space these tractor-van-s carrY a mixed lead of 2,350 tins of biscuits and potato crisps, a weight of approximately 2 tons.
On this type of vehicle the comfort of the driver is assured by an enclosed .cab which has sliding windows and Dside windows. Advertising effects are obtained by lettering and drawings, whilst a daylight sign is incorporated in the canopy.
Braking on the rear and middle wheels is accomplished by the use of Knorr pneumatic brakes. We understand that the vehicle shown in the accompanying picture is the first commercial motor in England to be equipped with this apparatus, and the brake has proved so satisfactory that Meredith and Drew, Ltd., is standard izing it on all its heavy lorries. In this layout compressed air is admitted into small cylinders attached to the wheel, each piston-rod engaging directly on the ,brake camshaft. Two positions of the brake pedal are possible, i.e., " braking" and "emergency," and the pressure is variable at will from the driver's seat. This system is regarded by the transport manager of the concern as giving an ideal braking distribution, for with the application of the Power any variation of the pressure is simultaneous in.' all brake cylinders.