Austin Produces Two Robust 4-5-tonners
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Notable Additions to a Range of Vehicles Designed to Meet the Needs of Civilian Operators
PARTICULAR interest attaches to the new 4-5-tanners produced by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. Some time before the war, and after a long period of trial, the company re-entered the heavier side of the commercial-vehicle field, but had barely got into real production before hostilities commenced, and, naturally, Service requirements oecupied some of. its energies, and would-be operators of these vehicles in the civilian world had to be neglected.
However, following nearly two years of further work in the sphere of road transport, in which much valuable experience must have been gained, the company has developed a new longwheelbase model in which this dimension ig 13 ft. 11 ins., and the overall length 21 ft. 2 ins., giving a loading area of 14 ft. by 6 ft. 7 ins., and a body capacity of 5 cubic yds.
The second vehicle is an end-tipper with a wheelbase of 9 ft. 31 ins., an overall length of 15 ft.6 ins., and a loading platform measuring 8 ft. 3 ins. by 6 ft. 7 ins., providing a body capacity of 4i cubic yds. Both models arc shod with 34-in, by 7-in, reinforced heavy-service fyres, with twins at the rear.
The engine is rated at 26.8 h.p., and has a capacity of 3,459 c.c. It develops its maximum torque of 160 lb.-ft i at between 1,000 and 1,500 r.p.m. This, together with a top-gear ratio of 7.2 to 1, gives a highly satisfactory performance combining speed and pulling power with a good measure of economy.
On the short-wheelbase model, which is available only as an end-tipper, the top-gear ratio is 6.66 to 1. In this case, the four-speed gearbox embodies an auxiliary drive, wiiich is available for the power-operated, end-tipping gear; whereas the gearbox on the long-wheelbase model, which also provides four ratios, incorporates a tyre pump.
Special features of each are the Service type, high-efficiency steering, particularly robust springs and spring anchorages, a frame of ample strength, and 16-in, Lockheed brakes on all wpeels. As regards the long model only, Dewandre servo operation is afforded.
Other items of the specificatiori, in line with the rest of the Austin range, can be cited to indicate the quality ot these new vehicles. The power unit has a counterbalanced crankshaft, supplementary ignition control by vacuum, and thermostatic control of the water employed for cooling. The clutch is of the well-known and highly efficient Borg and Beck design. The gearbox has roller bearings for the layshaft. Straddle mounting of the bevel pinion in the final drive prevents whip, and the back axle has large-diameter dualpurpose ball bearings throughout. All
gears are of ample dimensions and the casing is notably sturdy.
Only torque load is taken by the fully floating drive shafts. A one-piece propeller shaft with needle-roller-bearing universal joints is used on the tipping model, whilst that on the longchassis is a two-piece unit with a heavy
duty centre bearing. Semi-elliptic springs are used all round, and the wheels are of the pressed-steel-disc type. Other features of note are a 12volt electric system, and a comfortable, well-equipped cab with windows of toughened glass throughout.