A FRENCH TRUCTRACTOR FOR 2-TON LOADS.
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A Compact and Speedy Vehicle, which can be Employed where Horse Traction and Four-wheeled Lorries Cannot be Used.
ITIHE Millar's Truetractor is a general utility
machine which at present is being built in France, and shortly, so we are informed, is to be made throughout in England. It is a three-wheeler; fitted with a Ballot four-cylindered engine of 75 mm, bore and 180 mm. stroke, suitable for heavy duty. This engine is governed to 1,500 r.p.m., at which speed it develops about 20 b:h.p. The machine, when used as a simple truck, will carry a load of two tons, or when acting as a tractor will haul 15 tons.
In truck form the Millar can be adapted to a great variety of purposes. It in so easy to manceuvre that it can be used in the interior of factories, whilst, at the same time, it has a road speed of 20 to 25 k.p.h., and can thus be used quite economically for outdoor work.
Normally, the Millar is a front driver, steering with the third wheel. When the machine is to be used for traction purposes, however, the driving axle may be reversed so that the small pinion engages the crown wheel in the opposite direction. The driver's seat is then turned round and the third Wheel • comes in front. This • transformation only entails about a day's work.
On account of its big carrying capacity the truck is particularly suitable for contractor's work. It has a leading capacity of 30 cub. ft and when fitted with a tipping body the load may be discharged and the hopper .turned back again by the driver without dismounting.
For outdoor work a remarkably good fuel consumption is claimed, 15 litres to the 100 kilometres being the average.
The machine is very sturdily built and should be capable of standing up to an almost indefinite amount of hard wear. It is not unduly heavy, however, as the whole outfit only weighs 3,390. lb. • • The front is suspended on long semi-elliptic springs. In addition to these, two secondary half-cantilever springs come into action when the truck is fully loaded.
The wheelbase of the machine is 2.03 metres and the track 1 metre 37 cm. It will turn in a radius
of only 10 ft. and carry its load up gradients of 1 in 7. The rear suspension consists of a single, very substantial coiled spring working in a steel tube. Transmission arrangements comprise a cone clutch, three-speed and reverse gearbox and a bevel-driven axle with differential. The transmission brake is operated either by pedal or lever.
One of the great advantages attaching to a machine such as the Millar three-wheeler is that it can be used in places which render the use of horse traction or of ordinary four-wheeled lorries quite out of the question.
The Millar's Tructractor is built by the Societe