A LOW LOADING LINE HORSE-BOX.
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A Vehicle Designed to Carry Two Horses and to Eliminate Risk of Injury to Them While Travelling, Loading, and Unloading.
oNE OF the -most practical horseboxes which we have :i■et seen has recently been built by James Bartle and Co., Ltd., Lancaster Road, Netting Hill, London, W. on a 30-cwt. front-wheel driven Lath l chassis, to the order of•Mr. D'Arcy Baker, of Fiat Motors, Ltd.
A vehicle of somewhat similar type has already been briefly described and illustrated in our news pages. One of the most interesting features of the vehicle is that, apart from accommodating two horses, it provides seating for fear stable lads inside and two at the side of the driver, whilst the arrangement of the interior is such that the horses can enter and leave at one side.
The ramp for .this purpose is formed by letting down.the off side of the body, this operation and the lifting of the ramp being facilitated by a winch gear, which is situated at the near side of the cab, with the wire running over a pulley at the front end of the roof, and thence halfway along the roof to a second pulley, from.. which it passes tar:on the vehicle
Apart from the ramp, there are two double doors, which open outwards, and when open, form sides to the ramp. Additional safety is provided by hinged flaps on these doors, which, when they are opened, drop level with the ramp, each being held in position by a hinged lever, which coincides with the catch used to retain the body side when this is raised.
At the lower end of the ramp is hinged a narrow plate, which falls down to rest flush with the ground. The height of the floor from the ground is 2 ft. 4 ins., and this to the top of the thick fibre mat.
Within the vehicle is a longitudinal central division binged at the rear end, and capable of being opened wide to admit the horse which occupies the near side. When in position, this division its held at the top by a drop bolt, and at the 'bottom by being forced against a wooden block by means of a hinged beam. In order to lead out the near-side horse, the upper portion of the central division is hinged, and can be folded down so as to clear the horse's head.
The wheel arches are provided with sides, and form feed boxes, whilst seats and lockers for the stable lads are provided at the rear side of the arches, two lads being accommodated at each side.. The doors, central division floor, and sides of the vehicle are at covered with thick fibre matting; there are also head pads on the underside of the roof. There are two electric lamps in the roof, and their projection into the vehicle is reduced to a minimum to avoid injury to the animals. Norslip treads are fitted to the floor under the matting_ There is a small barred window on each side behind the hinged ramp, and also a large window in the door at the rear, all three having railway-type drop -windows. There are two further fixed windows behind the driver's seat, and two ventilators leading to a double roof.
Either a window or door must be opened when the ramp is in position for travelling, as the compression of air makes it very difficult to close this unless' the air has a free exit. On the Way up the ramp and inside the vehicle there is no spot of lighter colour than the mat ting, which might cause a horse to thy.
The finish is in French grey outside with a cream interior, and the spare wheel is carried on the roof of the cab. Michelin cable tyres, 1,085 mm. by 135 mm., are fitted all round.