Forward-control Conversions
Page 63
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for bulky loads
Large Body Dimensions Obtained by Means of Baico Conversions
FORWARD control for four-wheeled 12 chassis has been quite commonly employed for all sizes of vehicle down to the 30-cwt. class, but hitherto the trailing-axle rigid six-wheeler has been looked upon by many haulage contractors as the accepted solution to the problem of transporting light and bulky loads of up to about 4 tons.
It is not generally realized to what extent the body dimensions can be increased by adopting forward control for the familiar rigid six-wheeler. So large a body can, in fact, be provided that the danger of overloading comes to mind, but there is no doubt that, for operators who regularly have to carry light and exceedingly bulky loads, such as cardboard boxes, wood and fibre packing material, etc., the forward-control rigid six-wheeler meets the case quite well.
Bake Patents, Ltd., Baico Place, High Road, Chiswick, London, W.4, is now undertaking the conversion of 30cut, and 2-ton standard chassis into forward-control vehides of four-wheeled or six-wheeled type, and quotes a price of £36 for converting the Ford 30-cwt. chassis to forward control, including reinforcement of the front spring. In the case of this chassis, forward control affords an increased body length of 2 ft. 6 ins., so that the Ford long chassis (wheelbase 13 ft. 1 in.) gives a body length of 14 ft. 6 ins., or, when converted into a six-wheeler, 17 ft. 6 ins. A Luton-type body, -measuring overall 22 ft. in length and 7 ft. in width and height, can be fitted to the six-wheeler, giving a capacity of 950 cubic ft. If the longer Bake six-wheeler conversion
be employed, in which the wheelbase to driving axle is extended to 16 ft. 1 in., a capacity as high as 1,200 cubic ft. can be given. It will be seen that a combination of the two conversions has unique results when bulky loads are the problem, In the ease of the six-wheeler, the centre of gravity is moved forward by about 15 ins, when forward control is provided, but as the six-wheeler body Is so much longer, there is not such a large proportion of weight transferred to the front axle.
The Baico-Scot forward-control conversion incorporates Scot patents, which cover the streamlining of the engine housing in such a manner that hot air, oil fumes and other gases are automatically drawn away and do not enter the cab. The engine casing is ingeniously designed and locks firmly, yet is instantly removable. Wide doors and tip-up seats give access to the power unit.
The pedals and controls, moved to the forward position, are positively connected to their former points of linkage, and give plenty of leg room. New gear and hand-brake levers are fitted in convenient positions, whits., the steering gear is fixed by a solid snet bracket to the chassis, and is strongly braced to the new dashboard.