A New Oil-engmed 4-tonner
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The Arran Dieselet, Powered by the Perkins Leopard Oil Engine, Weighs Under 21 tons Unladen. Sturdy Design and Economy of Operation are Features of this New Chassis
DESIGNED throughout as an oaengincd chassis, the new Arran Dieselet 4-tonner, powered by the Perkins Leopard oil engine and manufactured by Arran Motors, Ltd., Welwyn Garden City, Herts, weighs but 37/ cwt. Due to careful design, the complete vehicle comes within the 2/ ton class and is, therefore, subject to a tax of £35 and a speed limit of 30 m.p.h.
Of simple but sturdy design, the frame comprises straight, parallel members of h-in. channel section well braced by channel-section cross-members of the same thickness. The power unit is three-point mounted on rubber, the Borg and Beck clutch and the gearbox, which gives four forward speeds and a reverse, being built as a unit with the engine.
Developing 60 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m. the Perkins ;:.,eoPard four-cylindered oil engine has a piston-swept volume of 4 litres. It is rated at 24.8 h.p., the bore and stroke being 100 mm. and 127 mm. respectively. Of the high-camshaft type, this engine has proved its worth in service over many thousands of miles, and a particular feature is its light weight. Complete with flywheel and electrical equipment it turns the scale at but 772 lb.
The single-plate clutch is amply proportioned and is of 12-in diameter, nine clutch springs ensuring even pressure and smooth operation under all conditions. From the gearbox, the drive is taken through a two-piece propeller shaft equipped with Hardy-Spicer_ needle-type universal joints. A self-aligning steady bearing is provided at the centre.
Of the fully floating type, the beveldriven rear axle is equipped with adjustable taper-roller bearings. The pinion and shaft are forged in one piece and the large diameter axle shafts are of chrome nickel. The standard axle ratio is ".85 to 1; an alternative ratio of 7 to 1 is, however, available if required.
Semi-elliptic springs are used both front and rear, those at the rear being of the progressive type, equipped with helper springs to give additional progressive action under load.
The four-wheel brakes are operated
by the Lockheed hydraulic system, the hand brake working the same shoes in the rear wheels by means of rods. In order to compensate for frame distortion, the brake crossshaft is mounted on spherical bearings. In addition to the adjustment provided on the brake rods, the cross-shaft is serrated to take all levers, and is undercut so that they may be easily removed and replaced in a different position.
-Fuel is fed to the engine by an S.U. pump from the 151-gal1on sidemounted tank, and a feature of the fuel system is the provision of two filters mounted in an accessible position in the drivers' cab.
The chassis is available in two lengths of wheelbase, 13 ft. and 10 ft., and with either forward or normal control. The price for the forwardcontrol model is £598, the normalcontrol chassis being £10 less.
A short run on the outfit showed it to have a good performance. The pickup on top gear, from so low a speed as ,6 m.p.h. was excellent, whilst the efficiency of the brakes is also worthy of comment.
Full equipment is provided and includes a starter, five-lamp lighting set, speedometer, spare wheel and full kit of tools. The distributor for the London area is Northcott, Williams and Co.. Ltd., -66 Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.