New Van for House Deliveries
Page 51
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ANOVEL solution to' the problem ot providing economically and efficiently for house-to-house deliveries of commodities such as milk, bread, groceries, ice cream, letter or parcel post, and the like, comes from Hull and is the outcome of close collaboration between a local company of dairy engineers and a well-known dairy group which is interested in all types of transport. •
It is claimed that this small vehicle combines the reliability and simplicity of an electric vehicle with the flexibility, high power-weight ratio, -and wide operating range of a petrol-driven machine. It is aptly named the Nipper.
It is a three-wheeler with a single tiller-steered wheel at the front and the driving axle at the rear: -The-chassis and body are, in 6ffeet, in one piece and made in steel and aluminium alloy. The power unit is the 4/3 model air-cooled J.A.P. engine, which transmits through an automatically controlled two-speed gearbox to the back axle and frame.
The back-axle frame is an outstanding feature of the construction of the truck. It is designed to form a platform for engine, gearbox, transmission, axle shaft and rear supports for the driver's platform. The whole is a compact and, at the same time, easily accessible unit. It is suspended on four bonded-rubber mounts and attached to the chassis by four bolts, Removal of these bolts, an operation which, it is claimed, takes less time than removing the batteries from an electric vehicle, allows the complete unit to be rolled clear of the chassis for major repairs and renewals.
The gearbox embodies machine-cut sprockets, and totally enclosed roller chains. It is claimed that these chains are sufficiently robust to eliminate any need for adjustment for stretch. Lubrication is by oil bath and splash; ball hearings are fitted throughout. The engine is started by reciprocating movement by means of a long lever close to the driver's hand. An impulse starter
is fitted' and the risk of hack-fire thus
avoided. • . • A notable feature of the vehicle is the simplicity of control, which is effected through duplicated levers—one on each 'side. Each lever, when pulled back. applies the brakes. When pushed for ward, the brakes are disengaged and the throttle opened until the engine, which is governed, reaches a predetermined normal engine speed. As the engine gathers speed, a centrifugal clutch engages smoothly in low gear. Even if the lever be pushed forward suddenly, the action of the clutch still remains smooth and cannot stall the engine.
The truck can then be driven in low gear up to a maximum governed engine speed. Pushing the lever forward and holding it forward for a second against a spring stop —that is to say, past the normal position of the lever—will allow the engine to over-ride the governor for a period sufficient to enable the centrifugal high-ge-sr clutch to engage. Changing down is fully automatic and takes place so soon as the road speed drops below a pre-set value.
The steering, as has been stated, is by tiller. As the near-side rear axle only is driven, it is possible to make 90. degree turns to the off side, so that in that direction the vehicle can be turned in its own length, actually within a radius of 4 ft, The turning circle t.. the near side is 7 ft.
Road shocks on the front wheel are normally absorbed by tWo substantial coil springs and recoil is absorbed by rubber buffers, although some models are sprung on rubber shear blocks The platform upon which the operator stands is separately sprung. The tyres fitted are 16-in. by 4-in. heavy-duty Dunlop, mounted on split disc wheels. All wheels are interchangeable.
Two types of this vehicle are at present in production. They vary only in the length of the chassis and the gearbox reduction ratio. Type Ha is primarily designed for milk or heavy goods. It has a maximum governed speed of 12 m.p.h., will carry a normalpay-load of 10 cwt., and will run 36 miles on a gallon of petrol.
Type Hb is primarily designed for lighter and more bulky goods, and has a maximum governed speed of 16 m.p.h., carries a normal pay-load of 8 cwt., and runs 45 miles to the gallon.
With the model ha type it is practicable for one girl to deliver 80-100 gallons of milk in four to five hours without difficulty or fatigue.
The vehicle is designed and manufactured by Northern Dairy Engineers, Ltd., Clough Road, Hull.