THE SIGNAL LORRY.
Page 5
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Description of Another American Model, which is marketed in Four Different Sizes.
Yet another example of the American lorry's introduction to this country is known as the Signal truck, of which four models are being marketed by Peters and Sons, Ltd., of 20, King Street, St. James's, S.W. These are to carry loads of 1, 11, 24 and 31 tons, respectively. They are all similar in design, having four-cylinder engines, dry-plate clutch, engine flywheel, clutch, and gearbox all bolted together to form one component, and over-type worm final drive. We recently had an opportunity to examine what is described as the 21-ton model, and, as the same description applies to all the various sizes, we shall confine ourselves to noting a few of the features of this one.
The engine is a four-cylinder Continental, 4--A. ins. by 51 ins. bore and stroke, respectively, the R.A.C. rating being 27.23 h.p. Monobloc construction is adopted, and the crankshaft has three journals, with nickel-babbited bearings. The lubrication is as follows. A plunger-type pump forces the oil to the three main bearings. Some of this oil overflows into troughs, in which the oil is thus maintained at a constant level ; the connecting rods dipping into these troughs serve to lubricate the big-end bearings, pistons, and other internal working parts. The cooling water is circulated by centrifugal pump, a substantial fan also being provided. The carburetter is a Stromberg, and the ignition by Eisernann high-tension magneto with fixed timing.
The radiator is of the vertical gilled-tube type, with cast top and bottom headers. The totallyenclosed clutch is of the dry-plate type, the power being transmitted through alternate discs of steel and asbestos fabric. The gearbox provides three speeds and a reverse, with a selective form of changespeed mechanism ; it is fitted throughout with ball bearings. Ample braking power is provided, the foot brake being of the external-contracting, and the hand brake of the internal-expanding type, both taking effect on drums bolted to the rear road wheels The same drums serve for both brakes.
A long propeller shaft, of 21 ins. diameter tubing, with universal joints at each end, transmits the poWer to the worm-driven rear axle. The back axle is made by the well-known Timken Co., of America, the worm and wheel being by David Brown and Sons, Ltd., Huddersfield. The live axles can be withdrawn by removing the hub caps, and the worm and wheel also can be lifted from the casing without taking the load off the rear wheels.
The torque is taken by the selfoiling rear springs. The front axle is also made by the Timken Co., and is a stout forging of I section. All the road wheels, of course, are mounted on Timken bearings, and are of the artillery pattern. The tires are of American make, and of American sizes ; they are carried by demountable rims.
The frame is of pressed steel, well gusseted where necessary. The wheelbase is 12 ft. 4 ins., the track of the front wheels 56 ins., and the rear wheels 58 ins. The control of this chassis is by the usual dutch, footbrake, and accelerator pedals, these being in the normal positions. The change-speed and side brake levers are centrally situated. No hand control for the engine is provided.
The fuel is carried in a seamless steel cylindrical petrol-tank, placed under the seat.; its capacity is 17 gallons.
The standard equipmentaincludes driver's seat, front wings steps, set of three lamps horn, arid a set of tools ; 50-cwt. Chassis price 2500. Peters and Sons, Ltd.. of 20, King Street, St. James's, S.W. has obtained the sole agency ;or these chassis, and all inquiries should be addressed to the company.