For the Internal Transport of Heavy Loads.
Page 72
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A COMPREHENSIVE catalogue of It special trucks which enable tho workman to mamouvre even comparatively heavy loads of various materials with great ease, has recently been issued by J. Collis and Sons, Ltd., Regent Square, King's Cross, London, W.C.1. These machines are an undoubted asset where internal transport, as it may he termed, is concerned, as they are suitable for use in the garage, factory and workshop.
Simplicity in operation is a special merit of the Collis *ruck, the object to be carried being placed on a special type of wooden platform or stillage, tinder which the truck is run. The hydraulic ram with which the appliance is fitted is then actuated by means of the hauling handle and the load on the platform is thus quickly raised dear of the floor.
The machine runs on wheels equipped with ball bearings, so it is a simple matter for one man to transport loads weighing even up to one ton around the factory or garage. A valuable feature where the carriage of fragile goods is concerned is the provision of a special screw, by the turning of which the ram can be immediately adjusted to lower a certain weight at any given speed. Arrangements have also been made so that the operator can be given entire control over the rate at which the load is dropped.
The load is always raised vertically, and this is a feature which, particularlyin the case of such structures as bus bodies, prevents one load from fouling another and thus avoids the consequent damage not only to the lifted article but to the platforms. Further in order to avoid accidents, the hauling handle which controls the van is held vertically when not in use by means of a spring clip and, even if released, it cannot drop Into a horizontal position.
In order to make steering easy, the truck is provided with two forward guiding wheels, which also add to its stability. These avoid damage to the floor when swivelled from one side to the other, as they naturally revolve. This is not normally the case with a single front wheel, which grinds instead of revolving when actuated in this manner, and thus results in wear to the floor and to the wheel.
It is claimed by the maker that the Collis truck is practically unbreakable in ordinary, circumstances. Rolled steel is used to form the framework, whilst the hydraulic ram is of gunmetal Imo
duce(' to Admiralty specification, and the few parts which are cast are of allay steel. The wheels are constructed of hard, close-grained cast-iron and all of the surfaces are finely machined. The manufacturer, is in a position to cater specially for the particular needs of any concern, and, in this connection, a model which is expressly intended for the handling of bus bodies has been pro&iced. This pattern is 17 ft. long and can be supplied with brakes or any desired. necessary feature.
Another use for these trucks is in the timber yard, where they may be employed for the easy handling of loads of heavy planks and bulky logs. There is also a number of other efficient models of varying sizes for different uses.,