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DENNIS Enters the SIX-WHEELER Field

29th October 1929
Page 88
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Page 88, 29th October 1929 — DENNIS Enters the SIX-WHEELER Field
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A Striking New 12-tonner Rigid Six-wheeler Embodying a Three-differential Bogie and a Six-cylindered Engine.

mo-DAy there is a

tendency towards the transport of heavier burdens, but the net load which can be carried upon any particular chassis is limited by law to certain arbitrary axle weights. This consideration puts out of court the fourwheeler as a vehicle for loads running into double figures. The six-wheeler is the obvious type to adopt and Dennis Brothers, Ltd., of Guildford, is one of the pioneers to place upon. the market a machine of this type.

The new product has forward control, but owing to the length of

the six-cylindered engine there is a short bonnet between the radiator and the dash. It is in every detail designed to carry its pay-load of 12 tons, and has a frame which is parallel in plan and horizontal in elevation from stem to -stern. The maximum depth is 11f ins, and the width of the flanges is 3f ins. Reinforcing plates are used over the pivot of the bogie and there are six cross-members.

In this frame is carried a sixcylindered engine of 110 ram. bore and 140 ram. stroke, developing 60 b.h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m. and -a maximum of over 100 b.h.p. The cylinders are cast cti, bloc, but have three detachable heads— one for each paieof cylinders, facilitat jug the operation of decarbonization, etc. The valves are on the near ride; lubrication is by a gear-type pump, and the timing gear and accessory drive is at the rear, whilst the water pump and magneto are in tandem on the near side.

Cooling water is circulated by pump through a built-up radiator with castaluminium header and bottom tanks, and the block of tubes is easily detachable. This -component is carried upon rubber-lined trunnions. Three-point engine suspension is employed, the single point being at the front pivoted to a cross-member, whilst the two rear brackets rest on the frame anti are fixed to the crankcase.

A single-plate dry clutch of ample proportions, with toggle operating mechanism and a stop, transmits the power to a separate gearbox mounted upon quickly detachable lateral bearers bolted to ,braekets on the frame. The gearbox itself is of robust construction, four forward speeds are provided, and there is a gate inside the gearbox which controls the actual selector mechanism, the gate on the frame being a skeleton only. Single-rod control from the gate to the gearbox is employed; the main shaft has an additional bearing behind the constant-mesh wheel. The indirect gear ratios in the box are 1.7, 2.97 and 5.06 to 1. the 'reverse being the same as the 'laStmentioned ratio. The tubular propeller shaft has all-metal universal joints and drives the two overhead-worm axles of the bogie. Three differentials are provided, and these, together with the worms, can be removed after disconnecting the propeller shaft and withdrawing

the axle shafts.

Single, inverted semi-elliptic springs of 5-in. width are used for the bogie. They are pivoted on a tubular crossmember and the ends are shackled to brackets below the axles, whilst the torque is taken by ball-jointed rods running from a tubular cross-member to the covers of the axles.

Cam-and-roller steering is used and the turning circle is 68 ft. Roller thrust bearings are used in the swivel beads.

Two vacuum-servo motors amplify the braking effort on the shoes in all wheels for the pedal-operated set cf brakes, and the hand lever actuates shoes in separate drums on the four rear wheels only. The front drums are 18i ins, in diameter and those at the rear 20 ins, and of ample width. The single front tyres are 42 ins. by 9 ins.

and the twin rear t37;es are 40 ins. by 8 ins., a spare wheel, and tyre being provided. A lighting and starting set IA included in the standard equipment, the dynamo being driven by a star coupling behind the distribution gear.

The following are the leading dimensions: Wheelbase, 18 ft. 61 ins.; track, front, 6 ft. 51 ins.; rear, 5 ft. 81 ins.; wheelbase of bogie, 4 ft.; back of driver's seat to end of frame, 24 ft. 3g ins.; overall length, 29 ft. 11i ins.; overall width, 7 ft. 51 ins. ; frame height (laden), 3 ft. 2 ins.; ground clearance, 1 ft. ; chassis weight, 5 tons 10 cwt.