An Allchin for Australia.
Page 6
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An illustration which we reproduce on this page shows a 6-ton Allehin steam wagon of the latest type manufactured by Wm, Allehin, :Ad., of .Northa.mpton, which has been supplied by John Birch and Co, Ltd., 2, London Wall Buildings, London, ki.C.2, to Chas. Ruwolt (Pty.), Ltd., engineers, of Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
This vehicle possesses several outstanding features in design with which we propose to deal in brief. The boiler is of the loco type with ample heating surface, three-stay tubes and firebox casing plates lined with asbestos. The engine Is of the compound type, and the cylinder is larger they that usually employed, eti that ample power is availabla. It is fitted with Stephenson link motion, and the eccentrics have roller bearings. The gearing is exceptionally strong, the ,teeth being accurately cut from eolid
blanks to ensure silent running. A single hand lever controls the speed changes.'
The water pump takes the drive f.om a fibre pinion on the crankshaft and can, of course, be used when the wagon is stationary. The water heater is fixed inside the smakebox„ and it is stated to be an improvement on the usual coppertube type adopted by many makers, where the outer easing is expated to fluctuations in atmespiterie conditions, and the exhaust steam only comes into contact with the copper coil. In the improved method used on the latest Allchin wagon, there are two. tubes passing across the inside of the smokehox juSa, above the smoke-tubes, in which position they are subjected to abnormal heat externally with obvious beneficial results, The road wheels are made of cast steel and special metal bushes are fitted
to the hubs. The rear wheels are interchangeable and provided with a patent device which makes the operation of wheel removal one of simplicity and effects a great saving of time vhen tvre renewals have to be made. It is claimed to be a far superior methodto that which is used when One road wheel is keyed to the axle.