A Wolseley Vacuum Cleaner.
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We give two illustrations of an equipment made for the Vacuum Cleaner Co., Ltd., of 25, Victoria Street, S.W., by the Wolseley Tool and Motorcar Co., Ltd., of Adderley Park, Birmingham. With the exception of the engine, which is the standard type, the vehicle is specially constructed throughout. All parts are designed to stand the strains and hard work they will be called upon to do. The engine has two horizontal cylinders, each 4iin. bore by 5in. stroke, and gives out tzh.p. at the normal revolutions of 800 per minute. No governor is fitted, control being obtained by a throttle placed in the induction pipe and operated by a lever on the steering pillar. An auxiliary throttle is also connected to the brake pedal and comes into operation when this pedal is depressed. High-tension ignition by accumulators and trembler coil is supplied, and the ignition lever is placed conveniently near the driver's hand on the steering pillar. An important feature is the extra large radiator, which allows of the engine's being run for long periods without over-heating, even when the vehicle is stationary. This extra cooling surface is necessary, as the engine is used to run the air exhausting pump in connection with the cleaning apparatus when not actuality propelling the machine. As a further precaution against the engine's getting hot, a large-sized rotary pump of the usual Wolseley type is fitted. The engine and all the main bearings are lubricated from an oil reservoir placed on the dash-board, and separate feed pipes run from this to each journal. Transmission is by a leather-faced clutch of the cone type, which is mounted on an extension of the crankshaft; this carries a RenoId silent chain which drives the countershaft in the gear box. From the gear box power is transmitted to the road wheels by two chains running off sprockets on the ends of the differential shaft. For the purpose of driving the air-pump mentioned above, the usual countershaft is extended at one end, which carries a gear wheel; this wheel meshes with another fitted to a second countershaft running above, and parallel with, the first. The air-pump shaft is connected to the upper countershaft by means of another Renold silent chain, and an attachment is provided for throwing the apparatus out of gear by means of a lever. To bring the air-pump into gear, supposing the vehicle to be at rest, the main clutch is first of all disengaged; then the gears on the special countershaft are intermeshed, and the change-speed lever put in the neutral position. When this
is done the main clutch is let into action, which immediately starts the air-pump.
A vacuum chamber is carried beneath the back axle and is built solidly into the frame. The chassis is constructed of heavy channel steel, this being found to give better results for the purpose, than a pressed steel frame; it is stiffer and better able to stand the constant vibration of the engine and air pump. All the wheels are the same size and of the artillery pattern specially constructed for this vehicle. Sirdar solid tyres are fitted, the back ones being of the twin type. Another feature which has received attention is the design of the axles; these have been made stronger than the usual pattern, in fact, the whole of the suspension has been strengthened where it was deemed necessary. The weight of the machine in full running order, including four men, is about three tons. A strong canopy carried on six iron uprights covers the whole of the car, and has wire trellk, sides, which form it into a tray for holding the rubber air pipes and other items used in connection with the cleaning apparatus. To facilitate the removal of material from the top, a light iron ladder is attached to the left-hand side of the vehicle. A capacious tool-box is fitted right in front.