Pest Control by Special Vehicle
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The rear wheels, which are unsprung, are driven by chains from a floating axle. The chain cases are substantial and serve to accommodate the wheel bearings as well as to take the load. Units and components of Ford make are largely employed in the construction. The machine can also carry and lay long articles such cis rads and pipes.
AMOST unusual type of vehicle has been built by County Commercial Cars, Ltd„ of Fleet, Hants, to the order of Pest Control,ltd., of Cambridge, the first order being for six. It is known as' the "High Clearance" and is designed to meet special requirements in connection with the carrying. of spraying apparatus for treating, -without damage to them, certain crops When they have grown to a maximum height of 4 ft.
To achieve this, all parts Of the machine, with. the exception of the wheels and their mountings, are clear of the ground by rather over this height. The general arrangement Will be seen from the accompanying illustrations. The cab is of the Ford type as used on the W.D. four-wheel-drive vehicle of that make. There are certain other Ford units and components, such as the V-8 engine and gearbox, axles and fittings. The wheelbase is 7 ft. 9 Ms.. and the track is adjustable from 4 ft. 6 ins. to 6 ft. 6 ini., by increments of 2 ins. This is achieved by mounting the wheels on carriers capable of sliding on tubular crosi-members. By using a novel, patented construction. no adjustment or other
movement is necessary to either the driving or' steering mechanisms with any alteration in the track width.
The drive is carried to the rear wheels only, by chains from a floating axle, these being carried in cases which form oil baths. The cases also serve to take the weight of the vehicle and accommodate particularly neatly the rearwheel bearings.
Vdriation of the track is performed by means of a specially
designed jacking tool, which may quickly be attached to all four wheel Mountings in turn. Although it is possible to alter the track while the vehicle is stationary, it is advisable, in order to save stressing the tyres, to keep it moving at a "creep" speed during the operation, which will then be facilitated.
Forks With quickly detachable knock-out spindles carry the''front wheels; these forks have plunging cylinders and helical springs, the movement being damped hydraulically. The rear wheels are unsprung but, despite this, the vehicle rides. well at normal road' speeds.
The weight without the spraying equipment is exactly 4 tons; the addition of the latter will increase it by about 20-25 cwt.
Other interesting applications of this vehicle are in connection with the laying of pipes or rails, for it can be made to hoist and carry long, low members under its belly. and then lower them into prepared trenches at any point to which a machine of this type can be expected to run. It should not easily be bogged.