• A CONTINENTAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.
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Simple and Practicable Models the Steering of Which is Effected by Rocking the Driver's Platform.
QUITE a number of battery-electric iudustrial trucks is manufactured in thig Country and America, but we have not seen many hailing from the Continent. There is now, however, on the British market a range of such vehicles with load capacities of from 15.-ewt. to 30-cwt. These trucks are known as the Lizard and are handled by the Transporting. Machinery and Engineering Co., Ltd., 76, Victoria Street, London, SAVA.
All-steel construction is employed, and .to avoid the use of a differential gear each of the two driving wheels has its own motor. These are totally enclosed and of the series-wound traction type, arranged in such a way that each takes an equal share of the load under all driving conditions.
There are two independent brakes, a hand lever controlling the mechanical brake, whilst an electro-regenerative device is operated by the controller wheel. The hand brake is interlocked with the main cut-out switch, so that braking cannot be effected while the motors are in circuit with the battery, also the main cut-out switch cannot be closed until the controller is brought to the neutral position; thits it is impossible to start the truck suddenly. key, is provided for this main switth to prevent unauthorized use The method of steering is most unusual. It is effected by tilting the platform upon which the driver stands —thus if the driver wishes the vehicle to turn to the left he merely leans in that direction. This presents tho additional advantage that it leaves both hands free to manipulate the controller and brakes.
The batteries are, in some cases, carded beneath the platform, whilst in others, where a particularly low platform is desired, they are accommodated in a box mounted above the driving
motors. The batteries used are Exide Ironclad or D.P., these being standardized, but nickel-iron-alkaline batteries can be supplied if required.
The specifications of the two standard models do not vary considerably r except for size, and we will refer to the larger, which, in addition to its load, will haul two tons.
It has a chassis of channel-steel pressings and plates. Both the front and back axles are steel forgings equipped with semi-elliptic springs. The wheels are of cast-steel and of the disc type, and the transmission is by helical
cut single-spur reduction gears to each driving wheel. Renewable contacts and fingers are provided for the encloseddrum type controller. Three speeds are provided in each direction, these giving :3 to 9 m.p.h.
The battery compartment is of heavy timber, lined and resting on large rubber shock absorbers. The weight without battery is 16 cwt.
The 15-cwt, model can be supplied as an elevating platform truck for use with stillages, and the 30-cwt. with a lorry, box-van or refuse-collecting body. In. the last-named case a crane is provided..