SCAMMkiLL
Page 59
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LORRIES
Stand 82
FOR those who are interested in heavy long-distance transport there is a strong appeal on the Scammell stand, whilst for those whose activities are concerned with short-distance mediumweight haulage there is much to occupy their attention.
The outstanding big exhibit is a new maximum-load rigid eight-wheeler. Although the type is now common, we believe the Scammell to be unique in having a front-wheel assembly which may properly be described as a bogie. The two axles are carried, as it were, on a frame of their own, this being located by an ingenious system of radius rods, and the whole supporting the main frame by the rubber-column suspension system that has been well tried out and proved satisfactory during the past two years.
There are many problems that had to be solved in evolving this design, and the methods by which these have been tackled are well worth close study.
To consider but one point in favour of the practice of using a genuine bogie, there are the stresses, set up when a rigid eight-wheeler encounters, say, a hump-backed bridge. Without a bogie the full load is momentarily taken by the front wheels, whilst with the bogie it is equally shared between the four.
The rigid eight-wheeler shown, which is described as a 15-16-tonner, has steel springing at the rear. This is of a new type and merits examination. It will be noted that the rear axles carry twin tyres. An alternative model is standardized in whieh single rear tyres are used, and in this case the rear bogie has rubber suspension, similar to the " rigid six."
An example of this form of suspension can be seen on the articulated eight-wheeled tank wagon shown, but before leaving the 15-16-tonner, we must draw the attention of visitors to the ingenious six-speed gearbox and epicyclic double-reduction axle. Whilst the rigid eight-wheeler has a Gardner 6LW oil engine, the big tanker has a Scammell four-cylindered 85 b.h.p. petrol engine.
Arriving now at the lighter vehicles,
most interest is being taken in-the new electric horse, which is a three-wheeled tractive unit and is shown attached to a straight-frame semi-trailer. Rated at 4 tons it is powered by a 9.5 h.p..traction motor supplied with current at 85 volts by Exide traction-type accumulators which weigh 211 cwt.
There are on display four examples of petrol M.H. models. Two of these are 6-tonners, one is a 3-tonner, and the third is coupled to a 1,200-gallon street-washing semi-trailer.
We must not conclude.this account of the exhibit without making reference to the Scammell gun-tractor. This is an interesting machine powered by a Gardner 102 b.h.p. oil engine.—Scammell Lorries, Ltd., Watford West, Herts.