A FARMER'S VEHICLE FOR MIXED PRODUCE.
Page 12
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
An Ideal Type of Lorry Which Possesses an All-round Utility.
IN an editorial which appeared in our last issue, we referred to the various influences which have contributed to the recent big increase in the price of wheat, and to the factors which have militated against the extended use of agricultural tractors for the cultivation of the land. It is, unfortunately, true that the agrimotor has made but little headway in this country, but the conditions surrounding its use are somewhat unique and can hardly find their counterpart abroad, particularly in those countries where mechanical means are almost exclusively used for the tillage of the land. Coupled with this factor has been the necessity for fighting down the inherent conservatism of the farmer, •who is, by nature, disinclined to experiment with new methods unless ample proof can be given in terms of 1.s.d. of the direct benefits which are likely to accrue from their adoption.
Althougl#the average farmer has been backward in the use of mechanical plant for land cultivation, he has not been slow to acknowledge the merits of road motors for transporting his produce to the markets and centres of distribution, and also in other directions, notably, in connection with the transport of live stock.
Throughout the country commercial vehicles of all types and sizes are doing good work in connection with various tasks associated with farming operations, and in many quarters road vehicles have ousted the railway as a means of transportation. 'This is not surprising when it is borne in mind that the main aim of the farmer is to get his produce to market in the shortest possible time. Sufficient evidence is available to show that the road motor is not subject to those irritating de
lays often experienced on the railway, which result in supplies of fresh produce becoming stale before they have reached their destination, and this is a matter of all-importance to the farmer in so far as he is likely to realize better Prices for his supplies if they be in a perfectly fresh condition.
The average farmer realizes that the initial outlay entailed in the purchase of a motor vehicle can soon be recovered if the vehicle be worked to its full apaCity. It is true that he is sometimes faced with the difficulty of obtaining a body which is capable of carrying the maximum quantity of produce no matter how varied its nature may be, but bodybuilders are sufficiently versatile to overcome these problems.
For this reason we think that the A.E.C. farmer's vehicle which is illustrated on this page will be of interest, in so far as it is designed to enable loads of hops, fruit and sheep to be earned at one end and the same time The vehicle possesses a special type of body built by Messrs. 1.7pfield and Sons, the A.E.C. agents, of Hastings. who recently delivered the lorry to Messrs. Frank Reeve and Son, of Peasmarsh, Sussex.
To enable a mixed load to be dealt with, the body is fitted with a detachable platform, built in three sections, between the bottom of the light iron grids and the top of the wooden rail. The platform is fitted with folding iron supports, and is suitably secured in
order to prevent side movement. By the use of this platform it is possible to carry two tiers of young lambs averaging 60 lambs per floor. Adequate ventilation is provided the animals on the lower tier, wide air spaces being left between the slats forming the sides of the body.
This method enables the farmer to effect a considerable saving on the usual method of sending lambs for pasturage by rail, particularly when it is realized that, in the latter case, the animals are often confined for long periods in cattle trucks of restricted -size. Moreover, the use of a vehicle of this type saves the necessity for driving the animals to the railheads at each end, which are often far removed from the farm and the pastures.
It will be seen from the picture that the iron grids are extended over the top of the driver's canopy,. thus forming a
• suitable.receptaele for carrying hops. By it aid it is possible to carry 48 pockets of hops instead of the usual 40 normally carried on a 4-ton lorry fitted with an open-sided body. At its front end this receptacle is .supported by two long
• stanchions which emineet with the frame members.
A special vehicle of this type should enable large-capacity loads to be dealt with efficiently and economically and avoid the need for the use of two lighter vehicles, each built to, meet a separate requirement.