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MODERN MUNICIPAL MOTORS.

28th October 1924
Page 21
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Page 21, 28th October 1924 — MODERN MUNICIPAL MOTORS.
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TF THERE is one thing more than any 'other in which the French may be considered as specialists it is in connection with the development of the municipal vehicle in all its many forms. So successful have they been in this direction that many of our towns make use of them.

Amongst the best known of those in France are the Leffly models, and these are well represented. One of the. most interesting is a chemical engine for fighting petrol fires. This has two mixing tanks, in which the water is mixed with the chemicals, and handles, are provided for assisting the mixing process. Next to this is an ordinary fire-engine, which is provided with an auxiliary tank holding about 90 gallons of water.

Another development in fire-figbiting is the . coupling of a self-contained trailer to a fast, light engine, SO that, once on the scene of operations, the trailer pump, which has the same capacity as that of the heavy model, can be left, while the power-driven machine takes up a new position or returns for more men, etc. .

The Laffly sweeper is too well known to need more than mention, but there is another machine which forms a combined watering tank, sweeper and auxiliary fire-fighting appliance. The sweeper brush is driven from the secondary gear of a spur-and-bevel-gear axle, a cardan shaft carrying the drive forward to the pump. Another and more powerful vehicle without a brush has an emergency hose and two nozzle connections. The hose is wound on the reel carried on the back of the vehicle, and the water is taken through the centre and straight to the hose, so that this can be run out to any desired extent within its limits without the necessity, in case of short-distance work, of unwinding the whole length from the drum.

In the De Dion watering cart, the familiar drive with the bevel and differential gear slung on the chassis and short cardan shafts going to the wheels is employed. The centrifugal pum.p providing the pressure is mounted at the back and driven by a shaft above the gearbox.

In the Renault • combined watering machine and emergency fire-engine, the same method of utilizing short lengths of hose is carried out as is employed in the case of the Laffly. They also exhibit a smaller fire pump with two nozzles, back-to-back seats for the firemen, and a small escape. The Renault trailer pump has an adjustable leg at the front end, and has an adapter for two or four nozzles.

Amongst the municipal vehicles we must not forget the Citreen-Kegresse fire-engine, with its emergency tank. There is also an ambulance on the same type of chassis, provided with two stretchers and a seat for three persons. The ordinary Citron ambulance is a very neat and compact vehicle, but room for the two stretchers is provided by stepping the driver's seat into the body beside them. There is a seat, facing the door, for the attendant.

Delahaye have a fine example of the turntable fire escape. This employs the same type of oil motor as is used on the Leyland machine. This vehicle is one built for Shanghai. It is shown fully elevated, and stretches impressively almost to the dome of the Grand Palais.

Another of the Citroen exhibits is an emergency tender with the pump driven by an extension of the front end of the crankshaft, as in the case of some Dennis engines.

S.O.M.T.I.A. show what may be termed the stage coach type of Paris fire-engine,

which has an interesting form of piston pump, the pistons being operated by a swashplate, giving a very even pressure. Next to this engine are two other powerful examples of a more ordinary type. Several trailer pumps, one of which has the large output of 60,000 litres per hour and. carrying a small ladder, are shown by Delahaye, together with several others of smaller type.

The same company, in conjunction with the Gilet people, have fitted out a motorcycle and sidecar combination as a useful little emergency fire-engine, in which a three-cylinder pump is driven by a single-cylinder petrol engine.

For these interested in the fire-engine chassis, there is the Panhard-Levassor in which a turbine pump is driven through a separate gearbox. Trailer pumps up to 40,000 litres capacity are also shown by Be Dion.

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Locations: Shanghai, Paris

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