THE LATEST LIGHT-LOAD KARRIER
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A New Production Intended to Deal with 25-cwt. Loads.
INCLUDED IN the half-dozen type' s of vehicles which will be exhibited by Karrier Motors, Ltd., at the forthcoming Commercial Motor Show will be a new production suitable for carrying a gross load of 33 cwt., or a net load of 20-25 cwt. • when fitted with a body which does not weigh more than 8 cwt. Cleanliness and simplicity of design have been the essential aims of the makers, it being recognized that economy in production costs and also in maintenance are absolutely essential if mechanical road transport is to be made to pay. The design has been reduced virtually to two units: the engine with the clutch, gearbox and universal joint combined, and the worm: driven back axle, the two being connected by a propeller shaft universally jointed at each end. The frame tapers from the radiator to the rear end, thus avoiding bends and the need for strengthening the frame at the weak spots created by bends. The engine is monobloc four-cylindered, the bore of the cylinders being 31 ins, and the piston .stroke 5 ins. The Treasury rating is 18.2 h.p., but the engine actually develops 22 b.h.p. at 1,250 r.p.m. The combustion head is detachable, and ample water jacketing is provided both to the cylinders and to the head. The pistons are of cast iron fitted with three rings, the gudgeon pin being allowed to float and being held in position at the small end of the connecting rod. The crankcase consists of two aluminium castings, the camshaft and crankshaft bearings being carried in the upper half, as also are the oil pump and other fittings. The lower half of the crankcase forms an oil reservoir with troughs into which the big-end bearing caps dip. There is a large filter in the bottom half for cleansing the oil before it returns to the pump. The crankshaft is carried in three bearings of ample diameter and length: The whole of the valves., are located on one side, the stems and tappets being totally enclosed and, as usual, working in an oil mist, access for inspection being provided on removal of dustproof -doors. The valve tappets are of the mushroom type, with easily adjustable heads. There are two inspection doors to the base chamber. 'The drive to the magneto is taker, through a crossshaft driven by skew gear, so that the magneto is extremely accessible from the side of the vehicle There is a hot-spot in the inlet manifold to assist in fuel vaporization.-No water pump is provided, but the pipes to and from the radiator are of large diameter. The power is transmitted through a multiplate clutch with fabric linings, and the flywheel has a toothed ring for the starting Motor to gear into. Mounted on the rear flange of the engine brankcase . is the gearbox' which gives four forward speeds and reverse, with direct drivekon.top. The gear ratios afe 6.5 to 1, giving 19..m.p.h. at•1,250 r.1).m. of the engine ; 9.45 to 1, giving 13 mph. ; 13.5 to 1, giving 9.1 ern.p.h., and 21.05 to 1, giving 5.8: m.p.h. The ratio of the reverse gear is 26.3 to 1, giving a speed of 4.67 m.p.h. at the stated engine speed. From the gearbox the power is transmitted by a long tubular member, universally jointed as mentioned, and the final drive is through worm and worm wheel carried in a self-contained member mounted on a pressed-steel axle, the whole running en ball journaland thrust races. The ratio of the gear is, as stated above, 6.5 to 1. The road wheels are mounted on phosphor-bronze busles. The wheelbase is' 10ft. 6 ins., the wheel track 4 ft. 8 ins., the platform spade (from the back of the driver's seat to the end of the frame) 8 ft. 7 ins., and the turning circle 45 ft. The speedometer is arranged tc be driven from the end of the worm casing by skew gears.