A NEW FRENCH CHASSIS FOR HEAVY LOADS.
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Primarily Designed for Military Uses in Connection with the Transport of Light Tanks, the 7-.!,-ton Berliet Chassis Should be Found Useful for Certain Classes of Ordinary Commercial Service.
AT THE recent French Military Trials for heavy-duty lorries designed for the special purpose of carrying light whippet Tanks, the new production of Automobiles M, Berliet, of Lyons,"Prance, who are represented in this country at 40, Sackville Street, London, W. 1, met with great success, the makers being very highly tongrata
lated by the committee of judges. As this model embodies several novel features it is proposed to deal briefly with the outstanding points in the foflowing short article. Designed primarily for the carriage of light Tanks under war conditions, the chassis frame is naturally of very sturdy construction, being manufactured from the highest quality pressed channel steel suitably braced with substantial crossmembers.
The four-cylinder engine is mounted in a special three-point suspended subframe, and is thus insulated from the twisting strains which may, from time to time, be imposed upon the main frame. The four cylinders are cast in pairs and have a bore of 110 mm. and aa stroke of 140 mm. The engine develops 40 h.p. at 1,500 r.p.m. The inlet and exhaust valves are interchangeable and are located on the left side of the engine, being operated by a single camshaft driven from the crankshaft by gearing
Lubrication of the engine is attended to by a gearwheel pump, which forces oil under pressure to the main crankshaft bearings, whence it flows by means of ducts in the crank webs to the bigends. The cylinder walls, pistons, etc., are lubricated by means of oil thrown off from the revolving crankshaft. Magneto ignition is employed, while carburation is looked after by a component of Berliet design and manufacture.
Engine cooling is effected by means of a large radiator and a centrifugal pump. The engine is fitted with a centrifugal
.B24 governor, which limits its speed to 1,500 r. p.m.
A multiple-disc clutch, working in oil, conveys the drive to a four-speed-andreverse gearbox, which is situated amidships. The construction of the gearbox is very robust, the shafts being short and of large diameter. The gears operate on the selective sliding principle and ace controlled from a gear lever positioned on the top of the box, and, therefore, in the centreof the chassis. The speeds provided are as follow :—First speed,' 2.2 m.p.h. ; second speed, 3.7 m.p.h. ; third 'speed, 6.6 m.p.h.; fourth speed, 11.2 m.p.h. Immediately behind the gearbox is located the foot brake, which is of the internal-expanding type, the shoes being fitted with renewable facings. Inside the brake drum is a star-type universal joint, and from this joint an open propeller shaft conveys the drive to a sliding universal joint immediately in front of the rear axle. Both universal joints are enclosed and run in oil.
The rear axle is of the full Boating type, and provides a double reduction. The first reduction _is obtained at the spur-type differential, situated in the centre of the axle, while the second, and final reduction, is obtained by means of planetary gearing in the centre of the rear wheels.
The steering is of the worm and wheel type, and a special eccentric adjustment is provided for taking up wear. A large lock is provided, and the vehicle can turn in a circle 52 ft. in diameter.
Semi-elliptic springs are provided front and rear, the rear springs being under-. slung and also taking the drive, no torque rod being provided.
The front and rear, wheels are of cast-steel and are fitted with solid rubber tyres, single 1,030 mm. by 180 mm. tyres being fitted to the front wheels, while the rear are shod with triple 1,030 mm. by 160 mm. tyres.
The chassis can be fitted with a capstan driven from the gearbox a,,nd controlled by a lever alongside the driver. The arum of the capstan is mounted at therear of the chassis, as is shown one of our illustrations, and a drum for carrying the cable is fitted to the left. side of the chassis. Immediately behind the driver's seat is a pulley, by means of which the cable can becarried over the front of the body to enable a heavy load to be hauled up on to the platform. This fitting is, of course, essential when the vehicle is used for the purpose for which it was designed—that. of carrying light Tanks.
The principal dimensions of the chassis are as follow :—Length. 20 ft. 8 ins. ; overall width, 7 ft. 6 ins. ; wheelbase, 15 ft. 5 ins. ; track, front, 6 ft. 8 ins. ; track, rear, 5 ft. 9 ins. ; space available for body, 16 ft. 1 in.; width of chassis frame, 3 ft. 6 ins.
The weight of the chassis is 6 tons, • while the total weight. of the lorry loaded is 13 tons 14 cwt_,, the carrying capacity being 74-tons. The front axle weight loaded is 3 tons 14 cwt., while that of the rear axle is 10 tons.