Saving Weight in Tipping Bodies I N view of the
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need, these days, for obtaining the highest ratio of pay-load capacity to the gross weight of a vehicle the question of reducing weight on bodywork is one of importance, and any saving in this direction may well result in bringing a vehicle into a lower taxation category. A company which has given special attention to these matters is the Duramin Engineering Co., Ltd., Hythe Road, Willesden, London, N.W.10, which specializes in the use of duralumin and the construction of light-alloy bodywork.
A noteworthy instance of the methods of the company is to be found in the case of 'a fleet of A.E.C. Matador endtippers recently supplied to the Feltham Sand and Gravel Co., Ltd., the order for the bodies being obtained by reason of the fact that by using the Duramin-type body it is possible to carry an extra cubic yard of material as compared with a steel body of similar carrying capacity.
The actual capacity of the end-Upping body is 7 cubic yards, and including the company's special sub-frame, incorporating tubular cross-members, it weighs only 81 cwt., the weight of the driver's cab adding 2f cwt to this figure. It is stated that a steel body and cab of comparable strength and embodying plates of similar gauge would weigh nearly three times as much.
For licensing purposes, the unladen weight of each vehicle is 4 tons 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 8 lb., which permits a load of about 7 tons 11 cwt. to be carried. The distribution is such that with a gross weight of 12 tons the axle weights conform with the law.
The A.E.C. Matador heavy-duty chassis forming the basis of these vehicles are equipped with 40-in. by 8-in. tyres on all wheels, and the tipping bodies are operated by Bromilow and Edwards power-actuated hydraulic gear.
Apart from the question of weight-saving by the use of hard-rolled alloy plate, the claim for greater durability is a consideration, whilst the risk of rust is non-existent.