Moving-bulkhead Vehicle Demonstrated
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ON Wednesday a new and patented method of emptying malt was demonstrated at Charrington's brewery. London, E.1. It consists of a moving bulkhead which gently propels the grain to the exit end. The method has been perfected and patented by Associated British Maltsters Ltd. in conjunction with Murlitt Bulk Transporters Ltd., Wisbech.
The vehicle demonstrated consisted of a Foden eight-wheel chassis with Murlitt hulk body having discharge via a grid into a small hopper, through which malt was led away to the brewery intake. Van-type doors are fitted so that packaged loads can also be transported.
The body is of aluminium alloy, as is the bulkhead, the frame of which rests on wheels. Bulkhead movement is through driving sprockets fixed at the four corners along a fixed chain. The fixed chains at floor level are enclosed in three-sided channels with special spring steel strip fixed to the bulkhead, so ensuring that grain does not reach the chains.
Bulkhead movement is by power takeoff on the gearbox operating an hydraulic pump driving a 10 h.p. hydraulic motor through primary and secondary reduction gearboxes. For malt only 2 h.p. is required, additional power being available where necessary. It is claimed that this method of discharge can be used or adapted for pulverised or granular materials in bulk form and the roof height is sufficient to permit sack loading.
Discharge of malt by this means was first conceived by Mr: E. G. Parry, Midlands zone transport manager, Associated British MaTtsters Ltd., Newark. following experience with other types of bulk discharge and dual purpose vehicles.
The bulk body of the vehicle demonstrated costs approximately 12,075, whilst the addition of equipment to provide elevated discharge would increase the cost to around £3,500. The lack of need for tipping gear as fitted to other types of bulk discharge vehicles not only reduces the unladen weight (by around 718 cwt. on this particular vehicle) but also, it is claimed, substantially improves the road holding qualities.