NEW 25-CWT. VAN FOR HOME AND OVERSEAS.
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British Built, the New Overland Truck is of Sturdy Construction, and is Designed for Hard Work.
BEING expressly built at Heaton Chapel, Stockport, for overseas service as well as for the British market, the 25-cwt. Overland truck is a new production, and it is claimed that durability, which has always been the keynote of British engineering productions, has been one of the chief aims of the manufacturers, Whys-OverlandCrossley, Ltd. This vehicle was introduced to the London market on Thursday last, at the same time as the new Overland Whippet motorcar was first shown to the public.
The price of the chassis is £190, which, in view of the solidity of construction and the outstanding points of design, is particularly reasonable, and should command a rapidly growing popularity, because the operating costs will be economical for the two reasons indicated—moderate first cost and low maintenance charges.
The frame is sturdy in construction, the side members being of A-in. pressed channel steel, with the flanges turned outward, stayed by channel cross-members and angle pieces. From about the mid-point of tbe. chassis, the frame is iuswept in order to give ample steering lock. The sturdiness of the frame is important because, when stiffness is provided in the frame itself, the body suffers little from racking strains.
The chaseie is mounted OD pneumatictyred wheels, 30 ins. by 5 ins., a spare rim being included in the equipment. At-it slightly extra cost, 32-in. by 6-in. pneumatic tyres can be fitted on the same rims, the wheels being interchangeable for the two sizes of tyre. Where maximum loads are likely to be carried continually, the larger size of tyres is recommended.
Interposed between the axle and frame are semi-elliptic springs of silico manganese steel and of ample length, the rear springs being very substantially anchored, the rigidity thus afforded reducing side sway to a minimum, whilst the front springs are mounted on brackets attached to the underside of the chassis frame, thus permitting the use ofT long springs without affecting loading space by shortening of the wheelbase.
Great attention has been paid to braking. Sixteen-inch brake drums are employed throughout;both hand and foot brakes being equally powerful and operating on internal-expandiue shoes inside the drums on the rear hubs, the brake lever being 30-1 ins, long and placed at the right of the driver for alternate use with the foot brake. No tools are needed when removing the brake bands for relining or inspection, and as the bands are entirely enclosed by dust shields they are kept equally effective both in wet and dry weather. Mechanically operated front-wheel brakes can be fitted at an extra charge, a special front axle having been designel for use in connection therewith.
The radiator is substantial and ample in proportions, an exceptionally large cooling area being desirable in the ease of a van of this type, which is likely to B26 he driven at a useful speed sometimes overloaded, and is certain to be required to go into any district, flat or hilly. The radiator tank holds four gallons of water, the jacket water circulating thermo-siphonieally. and cooling being assisted by a two-bladed high-speed fan.
The engine is already well known in this country, having been used On other types of Overland commercial vehicle.
It is the standard Overland fourcylindered engine, cast mou.obloc, with a detachable head, the cylinder bore being 3+ ins, and the piston stroke 4 ins. The Treasury rating is 19.6 h.p., but the engine is capable of developing 30 b.h.p. The oil is fed by pressure to the work ing parts. Coil ignition is employed and the petrol is fed by gravity from a tank on the dash, the tank capacity being 81 gallons.
The throttle and ignition control levers operate on quadrants under the steering wheel on a column bracket. The accelerator pedal is located between the clutch pedal and brake pedal.
The gearbox forms a unit with the engine, the power being taken through a single-plate clutch to the reduction gears, which give three speeds forward and a reverse. The gear ratios are :6,3 to 1 on top, 13.8 to 1, and 24.7 to 1, reverse gear being 33 to 1. The gear wheels are made of heat-treated nickel steel having stub teeth, and large annular ball bearings are used throughout. The gear lever is centrally placed.
The final drive is taken through a spiral bevel gear, single reduction, and through a two-pinion differential on adjustable Timken roller bearings. The axle shafts are 2 ins, in diameter, and rotate in large roller bearings.
The spiral bevel pinion is mounted between two ball bearings, rigidity giv
ing additional life to the gears. Rigid mounting and accurate machining make for maximum tooth contact, whilet the gears, being made of alloy-steel, double heat-treated, have a hard surface and a tough core.
The strength of the back axle is regarded as well above requirements. It is practically impossible for dirt or water to intrude and cause injury to the bearings.
The differential can be inspected by removing the cover at the back of the axle, whilst the drive pinion can be adjusted without withdrawal, the driving shaft being removable by merely taking out the cap bolts.
Consideralde• attention has been paid to securing lightness in the steering, a worm-and-sector-type steering gear with the low ratio of 11+ to 1 bringing the steetiug almost on a par with that of a touring car. Throughout the chassis the Zerk Tecalemite greasing system with the aid of a grease gun is employed.
The body space on a 10-ft. wheelbase, from the dash to end of frame, is 11 ft. 4 ins., the track being 4 ft. 8 ins, and the ground clearance 8 ins., the height of the loaded chassis being 2 ft. in. The vehicle will turn in a 43-ft. circle. The overall width at the front, and also at the rear, is 5 ft. 84 ins. The chassis weight is 21 lb. over the ton, and a body allowance of a little over 7 cwt. is scheduled.
The equipment supplied consists of two headlights, tail and instrument lights, ignition and light switch with key, speedometer, ammeter, electric horn, complete tool kit, heavy-duty jack, rim tool, battery hydrometer, spare spark plug, fuse, two generator brushes, complete set of lamp. bulbs and one spare rim.