Swords into Ploughshares
Page 40
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WHILST many ex-Service vehicles W have been put into service with few modifications for civilian use they are far more satisfactory if they be reconditioned in such a way as to make them more nearly suited to peace-time duties. One of the most important factors is the tyre and wheel equipment.
The two accompanying pictures show how an ex-Service Bedford was converted for civilian use by the conversion equipment department of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., In addition to the complete transformation of the body, the tyres and wheels have been brought into line with those normally fitted to such a vehicle.
On the Service machine, 10.50 s 16 tyres and wheels were fitted, and these
have been, replaced by 34 7 .equipment, thus providing a tyre-carrying capacity related to the diverse individual front and rear-axle weights. Heavier wheel studs have been introduced. The front wheel studs are incorporated in an adapter, so as to provide a track dimension similar to the original, whilst using a twin offset
wheel interchangeable with those at the rear. No hub modifications were effected in the case of the rear wheels.
Wheels, studs and nuts standardized by the Services for medium-capacity lorries incorporated conical seatings, whereas the civilian version has spherical seatings. This dissimilarity is not always obvious, but an attempt to operate the standard civilian wheel on the original wheel studs usually results in the wheel working loose and causing irreparable damage to both wheel and huh