MAKING POSSIBLE 100 PER CENT. OVERLOAD.
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4 r Ford ton truck efforts have been made so to alter it that it is enabled to carry hi a satisfactory manner loads far greater than that for which it vvas originally designed, and one of the most successful of the products resulting from these efforts is the 2-ton Edge extension unit, of which 50 are in use in one fleet alone—that belonging to the City and Suburban Carriers, Ltd.
We illustrate a special forward-controt vehicle which was recently built by the Edge Engineering Works, Ltd.; Gales Gardens, Bethnal Green, London, E2. It forms an interesting example of what can be done on a Ford equipped with the Edge extension, but we would point out here that this is not one of the company's standard products, but built to special order.
The Edge extension consists of a substantial chassis frame equipped With dumb-irons and four semi-elliptic
springs. It has a width of 2 ft. 11 ins. (which is 1 ft. wider than the Ford) and it is made in three lengths, the two longer of which embody an additional cross-member situated approximately 3 ft. forward of the rear crossmember. Both cross-members are of the same section and material as the frame itself and are secured to it by angle plates riveted at the top and bottom, thus assisting in the prevention of racking.
The front springs are mounted on a strongreinforcing member which fits over the standard Ford front axle and extends along its entire length. This not only distributes the weight more evenly, but adds to the appearance of the vehicle. At the rear, the springs have 10 leaves, 21 ins, wide, and they are mounted in a special manner. The platform to which each is secured on the axle pivots upon a chrome-nickelsteel pin supported at one end by the perch boss of the Ford and at the other by a forging which clamps around the rear axle, whilst a truss rod under the axle Assists in strengthening it.
Any supplementary gearbox can be supplied, that specially recommended is the Warlord, of the four or six speed pattern. This is claimed to be strong, serviceable and inexpensive. For a fast 30-cwt. model a four-speed-reduc tion box, used in conjunction_ with a high-speed. axle, is very satisfactory; for loads of 2 tons and over a similar box used with a low-speed axle is equally efficient, although, of course, not so fast ; but where the requirements are for heavy loads to be run at high speeds, the Warlord Super-six box is claimed to be the best proposition, and when utilized with the low-speed axle it combines the merits of both.
Another feature of the Edge extension, unit is the employment of floating hubs.
A powerful external-band type which operates on the outside of each rear,' wheel brake drum is provided.