Operators Build Dual-purpose Vehicle
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SEVERAL ingenious ideas are embodied -in a vehicle built by Blox Services, Ltd., 263 London Road, Mitcham, Surrey, for breakdown and maintenance work. The company, who were the subject of an article in the January 8 issue of The Commercial Motor, have a fleet of 116 contract vehicles, most of which are based in London, although many operate from outlying depots.
Fleet expansion (at the time of publication of the article the company had 87 vehicles) has necessitated the provision of a service vehicle which can carry engines, axles and other major components. to depots where vehicles' require replacement parts, thus obviating the need for the vehicles to be brought to the company's main works at Mitcham. '
Routine Maintenance
A compressor with greasing accessories, and other service equipment, can be carried, so that routine maintenance can be done.. In emergencies, the vehicle can _be used for towing. The basis of the appliance is a Morris-Commercial 2-ton chassis. A composite van body with steel treadplate flooring was purchased, this being a type formerly used on a dock vehicle. At the rear it has a tailboard and twin doors, and a sliding roof which reveals an aperture 3 ft. 3 in. long.
This was originally provided to make overhead loading possible, but it now enables a crane to be housed inside the vehicle: the roof is opened when the crane is in use to afford clearance for derricking. A door with roller shutter was cut in the front near side of the
body to provide an entrance for the crew, who normally travel in the cab.
The crane, a "Harvey Frost 30-cwt. unit, is mounted on steel runners on the floor of the vehicle and may be retracted when not in use. If necessary, four engines can be carried on the &cot% At the front of the body is a workbench With vice and storage for tools. Other equipment carried includes a towbar and arnbolance cradle. .
Along the upper radiused corners between the walls and the roof runs a pair of steel tubes. These may be pushed out some 6 ft. to the rear and a canvas sheet laid Over them for weather protection., It is also possible to attach a Lucas spotlight to the protruding end of the tubes and to insert the plug into a socket provided on one of the rear body stanchions.
At the front of the body is an illuminated sign with the company's name. This can be turned round to show to the front "Towing." An extra set of heavy-duty batteries has been fitted. This and the standard set both have master switches so that they can be used either together or with one isolated.
A Belling-Lee Save-a-Life lamp completes the outfit. This is a red lamp which may be set down in the road for safety when night recovery work is done.
A short while ago an interesting job befell the outfit, when it came to the aid of the police. Burglars had stolen three heavy safes from an office, placed them in a van and abandoned them on Hounslow Heath. The safes were too weighty to be manhandled for recovery, and the company placed the tender at the disposal of the police.