New Hydraulic Transmission
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'THIS year's Smithfield Show at Earls 1 'Court, London, which closes today. rilthough primarily of agricOltural interest, contains many exhibits of a much broader mechanical interest and various appliances which could equally well be used by site contractors, and industrial and municipal undertakings. One of the most interesting features is the pronounced use of hydraulics, both as power take-off drives and transmissions. There are also several new tractors containing interesting technical features.
The new Dowty Hydrostatic transmission is of particular moment, as it offers important advantages when usecrin an industrial tractor. Basically, the system consists of a variable-delivery. swash-plate pump driving a fixed-swash-angle motor. The pump is driven by the engine, whilst the motor drives through a reduction gear (or differential) to the driven mechanism. Variation of the swash-pump angle controls the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor. • Easy Control.
Ease Ease of control is a big advantage in this transmission. A single lever controls direction and speed of motion, the system providing an infinitely variable transmission. The hydraulic unit is compact and operates at a pressure of up to 4,000 p.s.i. Ease of installation is another advantage.
Hydraulics are also seen on the David Brown 900 tractor and several McCormick International machines. These, however, are principally hydraulic power take-off drives. McCormick International tractors, in addition to having a complete hydraulic system powered by an enginedriven gear-type pump, also have fully enclosed self-energizing disc brakes and differential locks.
Allis-Chalmers exhibit a new tractor, the D272, which succeeds the D270 model. The new machine is available with petrol or kerosene engines, with the Perkins P3 (TA) unit as a third option. The D272 is a heavier and more powerful tractor than its predecessor.
The Bristol 25 crawler tractor, also powered by a Perkins P3 unit, provides the basis for the new 'Bristol-Duplex light earth mover. which can be fitted with either an angledozer blade or a 0.46-cu.-A. loading bucket.
Of interest to all concerned with clearing ground for construction work is the new Roadless brush cutter, which is offered in either 66-in. or 72-in.-diameter versions. It consists of a power-driven two-blade
horizontal cutter, fully protect6d by an inverted U-type shield, with runners to assist its passage over the ground. The 72-in, model sells for £211 8s. 9d.
0 t h er interesting tractor-mounted appliances are the new McConnel mounted sawbench, which can be attached directly to a wide variety of tractors, and the McConnel-Gilmour hedge-cutter, which can cut hedges or ditch sides to any desired shape: Another hedge-cutting attachment can be used in conjunction with a hydraulic loader, MORECAMBE CONTINENTAL TOUR GRANT
VjARIATIONS of a seven-day Continental tour, and tours to iTorquay and Bournemouth, have been granted to Florence Motors, Ltd., Morecambe. Th2 North Western Traffic Commissioners, in their reserved decision, also agreed to an additional 14-day tour to Doveror Lydd for the Continent during the 1958 season only,
The company's application to link their northern and north western tours was also approved.
The request by James Smith and Co. (Wigan). Ltd.. for a Morecambe-Preston feeder service for Continental tours was refused. The Commissioners said there was no evidence of need and the service would be wasteful.'
The case was reported in The Commercial Motor last week.
C.M.S. FLEET TO BE IMPROVED IMPROVEMENTS to the bus Beet of I Cumberland Motor Services. Ltd., were promised by the managing director, Mr. H. I-1. Merchant, when he spoke to Workington staff being presented with longservice awards. He said the changes would ease the work of both drivers and conductors, and should encourage more people to usc the services.
Making the presentations, Supt. R. Hogg, of Workington police, said he would like to see some award for the maintenance men behind the scenes who were often forgotten.