The Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Company.
Page 26
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Exhibit:6-ton Wagon with Vertical Engine.
This new-type 6-ton wagon has been designed to come within the requirements of the Local Government Board, and to deal with a total useful load of to tons, divided between the wagon-body (6 tons) and a single trailer (4 tons), along a good macadam or paved road, and up gradients of i in to. ‘Vithout a trailer, it is found that 6 tons can be taken up gradients of in 7 on good roads.
The boiler is made to the patented designs of the company, and is of the fire-tube type with the fire-box in the centre of the barrel, which is placed transversely in front of the vehicle. There are two sets of fire-tubes, through which the hot gases must pass on the way to the funnel. Across the fire-box, and half-way up the barrel, are two horizontal baffle-plates, or diaphragms, with a water-space between them, and these plates deflect the gases outwards through the lower sets of tubes to the smoke-boxes at each end of the barrel, causing the gases to return inwards to the central smoke-box. The end smoke-boxes are provided with doors, which permit of easy access for cleaning the fire tubes; in fact, this may be done while the boiler is under steam. The boiler is neatly lagged with asbestos and sheet steel, with polished brass bands, and steams at r751b. per square inch. The fittings comprise : starting valve; 2 test-cocks; water_ gauge ; 2 safety-valves; pressuregauge; and blow-off cock. There are, in addition, all necessary wash-out plugs, etc. The steaming capacity of the boiler is greatly assisted by the exhaust-blast nozzles, which direct jets of steam through the return smoketubes. The exhaust pipes enter the end smoke-boxes, just below the centre, as may be seen in the illustration.
The engine is of the vertical-compound type, with the link-motion completely enclosed and running in an oil-bath. The high-pressure cylinder is 4/ inches in diameter, and the lowpressure cylinder 71 inches in diameter; the piston has a stroke of 7Z inches, and the engine indicates 35h.p. at normal revolutions. An auxiliary valve, admitting high-pressure steam to the low-pressure cylinder, is fitted. The crankshaft is 2:7 inches in diameter, and is made from a mild-steel forging. The intermediate shaft is, also, made from a mild-steel forging, and is 3 inches in diameter. The gearing is made of cast steel throughout, and gives speeds of three and six miles an hour. The final drive to the live back axle is by means of a long, Hans Renold, roller chain. The back axle is forged from the best Yorkshire iron, and is 41 inches in diameter. Two independent brakes are fitted ; one being a powerful screw brake acting direct on the tires of the back wheels, and the other a band brake. Both brakes may be operated from the driver's foot-plate, and may be assisted by using the reverse gear of the engine as an additional brake. Convenient provision can be made for braking the trailer from the wagon.
The main framing is of channel steel 6 inches deep by 3 inches wide by an inch thick, with strong, steel crossstays and gussets. The vehicle is
spring-mounted on both axles. The leading axle is of the divided or Ackermann type, actuated by a screw nut. This axle supports the front end of the wagon and is free to tilt, to a considerable extent, on encountering uneven road surfaces.
The water-tank is slung from the main frame, behind the rear axle, and its capacity is sufficient for a run of 20 miles with full load. It is provided with water-lifter, strainer, and 30 feet of hose, The water is fed to the boiler by means of two injectors. The road wheels are of the artillery type with metal naves, and this company favours the Stagg patent wheel. The diameter of the leaders is 3 feet, with tires 5 inches wide, and the drivers are 3 feet 3 inches in diameter with tires 14 inches wide. The approximate dimensions of this wagon are : overall length, 19 feet; overall, width, 6 feet 6 inches; wheel-base, it feet 9 inches; width over outer edge of tires, 6 feet; height over chimney, 9 feet; and tare weight, 4 tons tecvet. From this it will be seen that the wagon, although of such high hauling capacities, complies in all respects with the regulations in force regarding steam wagons.
The Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon
3mpany has now made over 200 vehicles to earlier designs, and it should have gained oonsidexable experience respecting all requirements. The company may have good reasons for throwing over its previous design of engine and substituting one of the vertical type. Its chief claim, that of greater accessibility, is, of course, a good one. as the new design permits of easy inspection and adjustment of all parts, without the necessity of grovelling under the wagon. The wagon shown (see supplement) is one to fill a repeat order from Allen and Hanburvs, Limited, and is 13 feet 6 inches long, by 6 feet 4 inches wide, with panelled sides 2 feet high. Above these sides is fitted a canvas cover 6 feet 6 inches high, with hood extending over the driver's seat. Any type of body can be fitted to suit particular trades, and numerous repeat orders have been secured by this company, whose address is Vulcan Works, Hunslet, Leeds.