Dyson Excavator Trailer
Page 31
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employing novel loading method
DROPPED-FRAME trailers operating in this country enjoy the advantage of normally travelling on wenmade roads and moderately smooth ground. .Accordingly, they can be built so low that loading and unloading heavy pieces of machinery present no great difficulty. The rear. wheels can be removed and the frame readily lowered and raised, or ramps can he employed with safety. Abroad, however, matters are different, it being often impracticable to reduce ground clearance.
A big six-wheeled • trailer, designed for carrying a large excavator, making a total load of 20 tons, has recently been built by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., 76-80, Grafton Street, Liverpool, 8, for service in Palestine, where, we understand, it. .is now operating successfully.
Because of the difficult nature of the district, an anusually high ground clearance is compulsory, and cause uentty the loading height could not be reduced below 2 ft. 9 ins. The use of ramps is precluded by the inability been found to possess ample power and wheel adhesion for this purpose.
It will be noted from the accompanying illustrations, that the rear end of the trailer is sloped downwards to facilitate loading, and that a scraper bar is provided across the back, which takes the weight while the excavator is driven on or off.
All six wheels are equipped with 720 by 180 solid tyres, and those at the rear are carried on short knock-out axles mounted in cheek plates, one on each side of each pair of wheels. By this means the wheels may be removed quickly and without disturbing the bearings. Brake drums are provided on only the front wheels. They are 22 ins. in diameter and the shoes are expanded by a hand wheel at the front.
Having an overall width of 11 ft., the trailer affords a main-platform area measuring 18 ft. by 8 ft. The springs and turntable are of orthodox construction.