A LORRY LIFT FOR HEAVY GOODS.
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THE prominent makers of commercial vehicle chassis are ever on the look-out for ideas and suggestions which shall increase the utility of their vehicles and shall enable users to effect economies in thetime occupied in loading and unloading. Usually a chassis manufacturer is able to make and fit a loading device with greater ease and celerity than would be found possible if the work had to be designed and fitted specially after the vehicle has left the factory. From the Berne factory we have received photographs of a new lifting platform the frame of which is arranged to be secured to the rear cross-member of the lorry body and to lift up out of the way for movement on the roads and to be lowered to the ground when the kit is to be operated for loading or unloading. The photographs show the device clearly; but since they were taken an improvement has
been effected in that the runners of the frame are made to hinge so that they lie more compactly against the fear of the vehicle when it is running, and do not, stand out, as is shown in one of the photographs.
The frame is made of channel-steel, braced at each angle, and is hinged to the body member, which has strong channel-steel end ports suitably braced to the underside of the body. A geared-down winch is mounted at the upper end of the frame, the second-motion shaft acting as a drum for the platform cable, so that a second gearing down is effected, and two men at the winch handles are able to lift a barrel or package weighing as much as ems ton. The platform is constructed on strong angle plate and is
mounted on a shaft having at each end a small diameter roller, which runs on the runners in turned guides engaging with the underside of the upper flanges. of the runners to prevent the platform from tilting, whilst stops are fitted at the top and bottom of the runners to limit the movement of the platform. The winch handles are detachable for safety when travelling. The platform at the bottom of its travel comes to rest about 7 ins. from ground level, and at the top at exactly the level of the lorry platform. The total weight of this loading device is 4 cwt., and, by loosening the pins of the hinges which attach it to the rear crossmember of the lorry, it can be taken off in a few moments, and can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle with equal ease, all that is necessary being that each vehicle should be fitted with hinge eyes for the purpose.