Tractor Takes Any Semi-trailer
Page 57
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New Conversion Set Enables Tractor to Haul Scammell-type or Fifth-wheel Semi-trailers
.."'OR some months, British Road Services have been using a Bedfordcammell tractor converted to take ither a Scammell semi-trailer or one esigned for a fifth-wheel coupling. 'he conversion gear has been designed y Moons Motors, Ltd., Dorset House, larylebone Road, London, N.W.1, and ; giving good service.
The fifth-wheel fitting is movable nd affords sufficient clearance for a cammell semi-trailer under all conitions of operation.
Two channel-steel runners parallel ith the frame members are fitted to ie tractor frame. The fifth wheel is tounted on a fiat steel bed having steel Ipports to provide the required perating height,
In its working position, the fifth heel is secured by four pins. 'Fwo of iese are of large diameter and screw and the other two are of smaller ameter and push in. The centre of te fifth wheel is slightly forward of Le rear-axle centre line, so that weight stribution is even, and to afford !equate clearance between the cab and e front of the semi-trailer at any igle.
The governing factor in the desjgn id development of the device was that should be operable by one man. A :monstration to a special corresponnt of The Commercial Motor showed at this object had been achieved, though conversion is easier and ticker with two men.
To convert for fifth-wheel operation, e fifth-wheel attachment is undamped )rn its rest position, raised by means a davit and dropped into the runner ides. A rope and hook are attached the fifth wheel and it is pulled up the des until it reaches the stops.
The pins are located in the forward ds of the slides and the rear pins are lerted in the rear box-section brackets after these have been dropped. After the davit has been stowed, the fifthwheel attachment is ready for use.
To reverse the procedure, the four securing pins are first removed, and the fifth-wheel attachment is slid towards the cab and down to the bottom of its runners. The davit is then employed
to lift the fifth wheel and swing it across the chassis to allow the off-side sliding support to fit between the fuel tank and chassis. The attachment is then lowered and clamped down to the chassis, the davit being either swung into a recess in the rear panel of the cab or taken off and stowed.
Modifications to the original equipment have been few. The fuel-tank brackets may have to be slightly extended and the cab panel recessed. Braking gear is easily adapted.