Specialists in Horsebox Design
Page 61
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Describing Some Recent Products of a Concern which Has Paid Considerabie Attention to the Transport of Horses by Road.
ARECENT visit which we paid to the works of Messrs. Vincent, Castle Street, Reading, indicated that considerable activity is taking Place in. the provision of special designs of vehicle for the purpose of transporting horses by road. One of the most interesting horseboxes just constructed by this concern is designed to carry four horses or six polo ponies, the box having as its basis a' special long-wheelbase, forward-control Guy chassis. The wheelbase is 19 ft. 1i in. and the vehicle is, of course, mounted upon pneumatic tyres. The shoes in the brake drums on all four wheels are operated through the medium of a servo-motor.
We are informed that the equipment of this particular vehicle is not standard, for, the interior electric lighting and heating, aS well as the headlamps„ have been specially prepared. Ventilation of the box is effected by means of a row of superimposed louvre, these being disposed along the upper edge of each of the side panels. The oPening of the louvres is controlled from the groom's cabin, which is situated in the centre of the body. The animals are loaded from the off side and from the rear, the forward portion of the side panel and the rear panel forming spring-balanced ramps when they are lowered. A partition_is centrally disposed and the horses are separately accommodated with their heads facing the centre of the' body. In order to load the animals from the side it is necessary, after lowering •the ramp, to remove the central division and then to manmuvre the first horse into position on the off side of the partition. 'It may then be closed and the second animal may be accommodated in the cOrriPartment situated on the near side of the division. To effect unloading, the second horse in the forward compartment must be removed and the central division opened, allowing the first animal also to dismount. Those animals occupying the rear compartment may then proceed through the length of the vehicle, alighting from the side of the body. • This avoids the necessity of unloading the horses backwards. '
The horsebox, which was built for Mr. H. C. Cox, of Malmesbury, Wilts, has interior panels of polished wood, whilst coconut matting is employed as a floor lining.
Messrs. Vincent are also producing two new types of horgebox—one to accommodate two animals and the other for the purpose of transporting one horse. These boxes will be mounted on specially constructed chassis and will, tve are informed, be 'sold at a price which will appeal to those of .moderate means.