Horseboxes With Many Good Features.
Page 43
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WHEN one deals in any way with the subject of horseboxes, the name of Messrs. Vincent of Castle Street, Beading, immediately comes to mind and this is not surprising when one considers that this firm has had a long association with the motor industry and has for many years undertaken the construction of different types of body expressly for the conveyance of horses. Their products of this description can be said to represent a standard of design which ensures that the animals are transported with the maximum comfort, convenience and safety.
Two of the most recent examples of horsebox built by Messrs. Vincent are shown in accompanying illustrations, one being for the accommodation of two animals and the other for four animals. The smaller box is mounted on a Star six-cylinder chassis which had been modified in one or two respects to conform, with the bodymaker's ideas and to sedum a specially low loading line—the latter being an essential requirement in the transport of horses. We understand that, in this connection, the chassis frame has been widened and, !nrthermore, special underslung springs are need.
This vehicle has been supplied to the order of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, and the body, which embodies a number of improvements, is the first of its type to he constructed. The ventilators in this box are all controlled from tin rear by the attendants in charge of the horses; sufficient seating space is available to enable four or five grooms to be carried. The mats which protect the sides of the body and the interior partitions are detachable, so that the box can be put to other uses. A speaking tube is fitted, to allow communication to be maintained between thedriver, who is housed in a completely enclosed compartment which will also seat two other persons, and the grooms. Other detail features include an electric bell and interior electric lighting.
So far as its main constructional characteristics are concerned, the body is framed up in ash, the exterior being finished in Plymax panels, the outer layer being aluminium, an arrangement which gives the maximum strength coupled with a high degree of lightness.
So far as the four-horse box is concerned, this has been supplied to Earl Fitzwilliam and the basis of it is a Guy chassis of the forward-control pattern. In general constructional details it follows the lines of the smaller box we have briefly described and, although it appears much larger than this model, its overall length is only 3 ft. greater, the length of the body sides, consequent on the forward driving position, undoubtedly creating this false impression.
The design of this box and the arrangement of the interior equipment have been carried out to allow for the easy anel quick performance of loading and unloading operations. The groom's compartment is in the centre of the box, from which position the horses both fore and aft can receive every attention.
The two animals for the forward section are loaded in the same manner as in the ordinary two-horse box, two wide ramps being provided, but, those for the back portion reach the interior by way bf a ramp at the rear, and when they have to be unloaded pass along the body, and out through one of the two ramps at the front The horses in the front section leave, of course, down the ramp on the opposite side to that from which they entered the body.