SOLVING YOUR HANDLIP 10BLEMS
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ON Tuesday the Mechanical Handling Exhibition opened its doors once again at Earls Court, London. The continually increasing interest in the use of machinery to save manpower is shown by the fact that the Exhibition—generally accepted as being amongst the most important in the world of its type—is this year occupying more space than ever before: it covers more than 550,000 sq. ft. of floor space and there are additional outdoor areas for equipment too large to go into the main halls. More than 300 firms are taking part and exhibits include products from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and America as well as the U.K.
The Exhibition is open until May 15 and is well worth a visit from commercial-vehicle operators interested in seeing the latest handling techniques developed in the two years since the last Exhibition.
Fork-lift Trucks
There are a number of models of fork-lift truck being shown for the first time or introduced at the Exhibition and possibly of most interest here is the Hyster Spacesaver 40 Vacuum Lift Truck shown by Fred Myers Ltd., on Stand 311 and also featured in the outside demonstration area. This is the first showing of the model outside the US. and the unit is not a conventional truck with vacuum-handling attachments, but a fully integrated system. The lifting attachment which is fitted instead of forks is attached by vacuum to the item being lifted, the vacuum being supplied by an independent engine and a vacuum pump. The Vacuum-Lift Truck can be applied to such things as newsprint rolls, oil drums and large cartons and also to plastic-wrapped packages of canned or bagged products. Without the forks or clamps extending in front, Hyster vacuum trucks are more compact and give improved manceuvrability, and by allowing tighter stacks and narrower aisles are said to permit up to 10 per cent added storage space. Other Hyster models shown by Myers include the Spacesaver Electric 20, 30 and 40 lift trucks of 2,000, 3,000 and 4,00016. capacity respectively. These represent the new Hyster-Ransomes range of lift trucks introduced at the end of 1963 and feature Solectron single-pedal control system. Other Hyster-Ransomes models are the NR15, 1,500 lb. lift truck with improvements brought into effect in January this year and the R25B reach truck which has a capacity of 2,500 lb. Completing the display are Hyster Spacesaver 25, 40 and 100 lift trucks of 2,500, 4,000 and 10000 lb. capacity and Challenger 25, 40 and 160 lift trucks of 2,500, 4,000 and 16,000 lb. capacity.
On Stand HI4, Matbro Ltd. is featuring its Front-and-Side fork-lift truck which was described in The Commercial Motor of March 20, following demonstrations just after its intro
c8 duction. This machine combines the advantages of both th conventional front-lifting fork-truck and the sideloader, as it ha a stewing mast and the particular machine on show will b of 6,000 lb. capacity. On the concern's other stand (H11) th full range of Matbro engine-driven fork-lift trucks will 13 featured, these having lifting capacities varying from 4,0001E to 20,000 lb. and lifting heights up to 20 ft.
An important development by Conveyancer Fork Trucks Ltd is being given its first showing on Stands J13 and G14. Thi is a 5,000-lb.-capacity battery fork truck fitted with Pulsomati. electronic control system which is designed to give increased battery utilization, smoother control and reduced maintenance The system can be fitted to any of the Conveyancer batter: models. Conveyancer has 21 fork trucks on show, comprisim battery-electric models with capacities from 1,500 lb. to 7,000 lb and dieselor petrol-powered models from 4,000 lb. to 12,000 lb Several trucks are equipped with special attachments fo use on such things as cartons and bricks, and amongst othe items of materials handling equipment there is a Shorlarn 20,000-1b. straddle carrier, lifting platforms and two model; from the Conveyancer-Scott range of electric platform truck; and trailers—an elevating type of platform truck of 2-tor capacity and a 3-ton-capacity tractor. Three new versions o Conveyancer-Raymond reach fork trucks are demonstrated at the Exhibition and the company is also showing it Overlander, a fork truck designed for a 3,500-1b. capacity ant also to be able to work as a tractor—it can handle trailer load; up to 16 tons. Also on display is a working model of a corn. pletely new development by Conveyancer, this being an auto. matic sack loader, designed for direct palletless loading of sacki on to lorries from the end of a factory conveyor.
Shelvoke and Drewry Ltd. (Stand G6) is introducing at tilt Exhibition a new range of fork-lift trucks. This is the SE Freightfifter Defiant heavy-duty range and three models art offered giving capacities of 15,000 lb., 20,000 lb. and 12 tons all at 2-ft. centres. Power in each case is provided by a Perkin 6.354 diesel engine and the specification of the Defiant provide5 for a four-speed synchromesh gearbox or a three-speed synchromesh unit operating in conjunction with a torque converter. In both cases gear selection is manual but optional equipmen1 is automatic torque converter transmission. Fiat Tractors Ltd. has a comprehensive range of diesel, petrol and electrically
driven fork trucks but is placing greater sales emphasis in the U.K. on electric models. Three models of this type are being shown, and of these, the E-20 2-ton-capacity unit, is exhibited for the first time in Britain. The E-20 has a maximum lifting height of 10 ft. 6 in., but models can be supplied with lifts of 11 ft. 10 in., 13 ft. I in. and 16 ft. 5 in. The two other models shown are the E-6 and the E-12.3r. The E-6 has a capacity of 1,344 lb. when lifting to a maximum height of 9 ft. 1 in., or 1,120 lb. when the maximum lift is 11 ft. 1 in. The E-12.3r has
lifting capacity of 1 ton 4 cwt. and a lifting height of 9 ft, 10 in. The Mechanical Handling Exhibition is being used by 'oventry Climax Engines Ltd. (Stand F12) to introduce a new nd extended range of diesel-, petrol-. and L.P.G.-powered cavy-duty fork-lift trucks. The new range is the Universal Tajor which covers 12 models with capacities from 6,000 to ,000 lb. at 2-ft. load centres. Of a similar design to the existing iniversal range of 2,000to 5,000-lb. trucks the new models re complementary to the established range of Universal Major lectric-powered trucks. Petrol or diesel engines arc offered rith either conventional . or torque-converter transmission. 'ravel speeds of up to 30 m.p.h. are obtainable and all models ave a laden lift-speed of 60 ft. per minute. Three machines rom the new range are on display: a 6,000-lb. diesel model pith a 12-ft. high. three-lift mast and rigid crane attachment, a ,000-lb. L.P.G. model with a Bickerstaff brick-fork attachment nd an 8,000-lb. diesel version. A wide selection from the oncern's existing range of equipment is also being shown, agether with several special attachments.
Of the six models of front-lift fork trucks shown by Boss
Engineers Ltd. (Stand .19) one, the H10, is being shown for the first time. This is a compact truck having a lifting capacity of 10,000 lb. at 2 ft. load centre but with generally smaller overall dimensions than an 8,000-1b. machine. In
t h e demonstration area Boss is showing two fork trucks at work. No fewer than 12 models from the range of side loaders made by Lancers Machinery Ltd. arc featured on this company's stand (H3) and two units are being demonstrated in the West Brampton Road forecourt area. The 12 machines cover lifting capacities ranging from 3,375 lb. to 40,000 lb. and a special feature of the stand is a working display of a 400 Series side loader with a lifting capacity of 8,950 lb. at 24-in. centres and two 200 Series models.
Continuous demonstrations of electric trucks under simulated working conditions are a feature of the stand taken by Yale and Towne Manufacturing Co. (G11). There arc 40 Yale machines and appliances on show, including dieseland L.P.G.-engined models with capacities up to 10,000 lb. New models include the Super Seiies 51 electric fork-lift truck.
On the stand of Wessex Industries (Poole) Ltd. (G12) fork trucks and industrial tractors bearing the names Wrigley and Elpar are on view. These cover a wide range of capacities and are all battery-electric units, Lansing-Bagnall Ltd. (Stands H16 and F11) also has an important display at the exhibition at which six new models of fork-lift truck are being shown.
Mobile Cranes Cranes are always a major feature of the Exhibition with the jibs towering almost to the roof. This year is no exception and probably the widest range ever shown by one exhibitor is featured by the British Crane and Excavator Corporation. The concern has two stands on the main hall and is also represented on the Brompton forecourt demonstration area. The Corporation makes Coles diesel-electric, Neal and Neal-Unit diesel-mechanical and Taylor dieselhydraulic machines and no fewer than 20 models are on view, 10 of them new or recently introduced. On Stand G8 the 50-ton-capacity Coles Gargantua is the largest of the latest range of Coles cranes and can have jibs up to a maximum of 210 ft. The 50-ton rating is handled with the basic 40-ft. jib at 12-ft. radius and with outriggers in use. Mounted on a special eight-wheeled Coles crane carrier, the Gargantua is capable of road speeds of up to 38 m.p.h. Power is provided by a Cummins six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine developing -280 b.h.p. at 2,100 r.p.rn. The power unit for crane motions is an A.E.C. AV690 engine developing_ 180 b.h.p. at 1,800 r.p.m. Two other newcomers to the Coles range on the same stand are the Coles Challenger truck crane with a 65-ft. strut jib and a Coles Victor six-wheeled truck crane with a 100-ft. strut jib. The Challenger has a maximum lifting capacity with a basic 25-ft. jib of 7.5 tons, whilst the Victor has a capacity of 10 tons. Engines fitted to the respective models are Perkins 6.354 and A.E.C. AV470 and in both cases, apart from providing the drive for the chassis, the engines drive generators which energize electric motors for crane motions. A Coles Argus, another new model, is also displayed on Stand G8 and this has a capacity of 6 tons. Neal mobile cranes are also included in the display on Stand G8 and a new addition to this range is the Neal NS50 which has a capacity of 6 tons with a 30-ft. strut jib and is available with strut jibs from 30. to 60 ft. and cantilever jibs from 20 to 40 ft.
The second stand of the British Crane and Excavator Corporation is K5 and this is devoted entirely to Taylor dieselhydraulic mobile cranes. Four machines are on show, two of them versions of the Taylor Speedcrane which is basically a fast travel unit with road speeds up to 20 m.p.h. The third crane is the Taylor Series 48 fitted with a 1.75-cu.-yd. grab, whilst the fourth exhibit is the most recent addition to the Corporation's range of models, the Hydra truck crane. There are two versions of the Hydra, the Standard and the Super. The latter is the model on view and in this case the engine fitted is an A.E.C. AV470, which drives through a six-speed gearbox. Crane motions are powered by means of a power take-off on the gearbox which drives a hydraulic pump, this in turn powering individual hydraulic motors for the crane movements. The capacity of the Hydra is 7 tons blocked, or 3 tons fully mobile. In the demonstration area the largest mobile crane on show is featured. This is the Coles Centurion, which has a capacity of 100 tons; handling this load with a basic 50-ft. jib at 12-ft. radius. Up to 200-ft-strut jibs can be fitted and even with this length 12-5 tons can be lifted at 40-ft. radius. Also featured by the concern in the demonstration area are a number of mobile cranes designed to meet the needs of the Army, R.A.F. and Fleet Air Arm.
Fast travel combined with long-outreach jibs is the theme of the display of Jones cranes on the stand of George Cohen Machinery Ltd. (H8). Main feature is the KL 3-7, which was introduced last year. This is a fast-travel crane and is mounted on a Bedford TK chassis and cab. A new Jones model being shown for the first time is a 30-ton one—the KL 15-30 LowLine, which is mounted on the special eight-wheeled chassis developed by Foden for the mounting of mobile cranes. The chassis has a very low, forward-mounted cab and the engine is housed behind it. Other mobile cranes exhibited are KL 11-7, KL 77 and KL 65 models. In the Brompton Road demonstration area a Jones KL 15-25 is demonstrated.
c 10 NCK-Rapier Ltd., on Stand H7, is also featuring a new mobi crane, this being the Rapier 4 Standard Mark 11, which specially designed for work in docks and goods yards. Max mum lifting capacity of this model is 4 tons at an outreach 3 ft. 3 in., lattice-braced cantilever jibs of 16 ft. and 26 ft. a; available with a 5-ft. bolt-on extension if required for attacl ment to the smaller jib in either the straight or cranked positio; Also exhibited by NCK-Rapier is the superstructure of Cambrian mobile crane with covers and so on removed to she the layout' of the transmission system. The Rapier Chevid truck crane is also exhibited, on a 6 x 4 crane-carrier chassi This has a maximum lifting capacity of 10 tons at 7-ft. radii with an 18-ft. jib, although the crane shown has an 80-ft.-stn jib built up from the basic 18 ft. with 5-, 7-, 10and 15-f inserts.
An Allen T204 crane is featured by John Allen and Sot (Oxford) Ltd. (Stand H5). This model has a 20-ton maximui lift and can be supplied with booms up to 100 ft. long pit 30-ft. fly jib. Leyland 0.600 engines are employed for chass and turntable operations and air-controlled clutches, an segmental linings are used for all crane motions. The late; Iron Fairy fast-travel mobile crane which is being shown b the British Hoist and Crane Co. Ltd. on Stand H4 is the Gam( 4-ton model. Duo-direction 360° unlimited stewing is a featur of this model together with the ability to lift, carry and plac its load without the use of jacks or outriggers. The Iron Fair Six, 6-ton model is also on view. This model is a a simila type to the Garnet but is limited in slew to 40°.
Tunney Cranes Ltd. (Stand Cl) is showing a new 4-to hydraulically operated mobile crane fitted with a 16-ft. jib an
capable of lifting its rated capacity at 7-ft. radius when blocker Power is pi-ovided by a diesel engine driving a Vickers vane type pump. Stewing arc is 300°.
Vehicle Loading Aids and Bulk Material Carriers Equipment to help in the quicker turn-round of vehicles a loading and unloading points is featured on a number of stand at the exhibition, G. Hunter (London) Ltd. (Stand J14) i showing a number of new developments in its large range o equipment. An imitation loading bank has been built t demonstrate four different types of dock leveller. These ar a counter-balanced, hand-operated unit; an electric-hydrauli leveller with push-button control and two fully-automati designs. One of the automatic models is an electric-hydrauli unit operated by photo-electric cells, whilst the second i counter-balanced and operated by the vehicle as it backs ui to the loading bank. Also exhibited by Hunter is a new rang of hydraulic stackers in capacities from 2 cwt. to 15 cwt.– some hand-operated, others driven by electricity, either main or from a battery—together with a range of electric-hydrauli scissors lifts from 1to 5-ton capacity.
A mobile bridge plate for use on loading banks is exhibited by P. C. and C. K. Chase Ltd. (Stand D1). Capacities of I tot and 3 tons are made, the I-ton versions being suitable for ham trucks and small powered handling equipment, whilst the 3-to; model will cater for most powered trucks. The two model are available in various widths and in lengths to suit heigh differentials up to 15 in. Folding ramps are fitted at the edge of the main platforms, at one end of which are two smal wheels to aid maneeuvrability.
The two well-known roller systems for use inside vehicld bodies or on platforms can be seen at Earls Court. Thd Duramin Engineering Co. Ltd. (Stand X14) is exhibiting ; demonstration unit of the concern's Aerola and Palletain systems and is also showing light-alloy pallets and a light-alloi collapsible container.
A steel-channel version of the Rolamat roller conveyor tracl is a new product exhibited by Gloster Equipment Ltd. (Stanc C2), the steel version having been developed to permit greate loads to be carried than the light-alloy model. Other equipmen featured by Gloster includes different types of Rolamat track a dock bridge, a powered conveyor system together witl restraint units and ball tables for use in conjunction with flu handling system, Most of the equipment shown by Lodematic Ltd. on Stant (Continued on pare 49)
is applicable to the loading of vehicles. This is particularly of a new hydraulic tippler which can be used for handling -ums, sacks, box pallets and wheeled containers. A static Lode] provides a lift of up to 15 ft., whilst manual or powerropelled mobile models give lifts of up to 10 ft. The unit fts the container, projects it over the body, tips it and returns to ground level in one operation and there is no need to love the elevated containers forward for discharge. Other odematic equipment includes self-actuated. sack and box taders, new scissors-action elevating tables, drum stackers and new high-speed, high-lifting stacker.
Coming into the materials handling category are four roducts introduced by Charles Pitt (Radon Stacey) Ltd. (Stand 11) and shown at the exhibition for the first time. A 6-ton, :ose-coupled, four-wheel tipping trailer with a 13-ft.-long by -ft.-wide fixed-side body features a completely new balanceearn suspension and has a very low platform height for a pper of its capacity. Also new is a Fork Access Trailer which ; intended for the transport within works of metals in various 3rins, such as bar and sheet, and is also suitable for carrying sany other commodities. The trailer shown has a capacity of tons and is different from a standard design in that steel angle ross pieces arc welded to the platform, the load being upported on the edges of the vertical legs, so providing space eneath the load for the insertion of lifting forks. A 1-ton cintaincr exhibited by Pitt measures 3 ft. 4 in. by 3 ft. 4 in. by ft. 6 in. and is suitable for the distribution of most commodiies. The unit was designed by the Pressed Steel Co. Ltd. and ; fitted with removable shelves and can also be equipped with rawers. Quick-action catches locate the container on pyramids tted in a vehicle floor and castor wheels are provided so that he container can be moved when off the vehicle. The largest xhibit by Pitt is a container transporter designed to handle up o 15 tons gross weight, It has wide-section solid tyres of small liameter positioned at the extreme corners of the frame.
/verall height of the transporter is only 1 ft. 8-25 in. and cone
amers up to 24 ft. long by 9 ft wide can be handled. Shown vith the transporter is a •Duramin light-alloy container. Other :xhibits on the Pitt stand are a 15-ton port trailer and a selec ion of I.5-4-ton trailers.
Vehicle bodywork developed for solid fuel delivery is once apin featured by Charrold Ltd. The concern has a stand (B4) nside the exhibition hall and is also represented in the Irompton Road forecourt area. A new development is a rameless semi-trailer body in the concern's dual-purpose range which is designed for bag and conveyor delivery of solid fuel yr any other free flowing material. The frameleis version, which has a hopper body, uses Searnmell running gear and is ;hown with a Bedford TK tractive unit. A choice of running tear is offered on this model and conveyor delivery and AutoJagger equipment can be incorporated. Also exhibited is the WNW-Fuel Delivery Body which is intended for the delivery )L solid fuels and is divided into five compartments allowing ip to five different types of fuel to be carried. Sack weighing Ind lifting equipment is incorporated and this moves on rails to the outlet of the compartment to be used. The final Charrold :•,xhibit is a conveyor/pneumatic body for delivery of solid fuel by either blowing or by conveyor.
Examples from the Dempster range of waste disposal equipment is again exhibited by Powell Duff ryn Engineering Co. Ltd. (Stand 116) including a standard Dempster
yd, container, Working models of all three ranges of Dempster equipment—Dumpstcr. Dumpmaster and Dinosaur—are also exhibited on this stand.
Another conc.ern making vehicle bodies for the transport and delivery of solid fuels is Atkinson's of Clitheroe Ltd. This concern has a stand (U10) in the gallery, and because of lack of space the display consists of a series of illustrations and also a coloured documentary film dealing comprehensively with the subject of mechanized solid-fuel transportation. The film deals with each category of Atkinson's products and features chassis-mounted transporters, demountable transporters, delivery by hydraulic boom and pneumatic pipeline, Autoweigh bagging for dispensing fuel into 1 cwt. sacks and tipper .vehicles with pneumatic delivery. Other bulk-material handling equipment is featured by Aero Maintenance Equipment Ltd. (Stand WI I), this being the French Benes Marrell system.
Industrial Tractors and Small Plant
Of particular interest in this category is the display of the Harborough Construction Co. Ltd. (Stand El) where a feature is made of the new Rectactor resistance-free controller fOr the electric vehicles produced by the concern. Exhibits• incorporating the Reetactor include a new tug—the Harbilt " 1,000 "— with a drawbar pull of 1,000 lb. and a working capacity of 20 tons. Also featured is a new general-purpose industrial truck—the Harbilt 802 "—which is based on the chassis with " diamond " wheel arrangement illustrated in The Commercial Motor. March 13.
Two new models have also been introduced 6Y Mercury Truck and Tractor Co, Ltd. (Stand G9). The concerns normal range of towing tractors is also shoWn, and the new ones are the 20FP with a drawbar pull of 2,000 lb. and the 30PD with a drawbar pull of 3.000 lb. Although capable of pulling a trailer train of more than 15 tons, the 30PD is only 6ft. 9in. long and can turn in a radius of the 'same dimension. Shown by the concern for the first time is the Sicard Industrial Snowblower• which can be fitted to fork-lift trucks, tractors and front-end loaders. Model BB L is the one on Show being fitted to a 4,000-lb.-capacity fork truck, this model at present being. imported from Canada, hut by next winter it is expected that it will be made in the U.K. under licence.
The main feature on the stand of Riordan Engineering Ltd.
(R3) is a battery-powered tug, model ETS.300, which is capable of towing 3 tons and is fitted with a hydratlically -raised ball joint to pick up a socket on a trailer. A range of battery electric trucks is also displayed by Brush Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd. (Stand C3). including industrial tractors and trucks. • The display of F. L. Douglas (Equipment) Ltd. (Stand B6) includes larger-sized industrial tractors. The Douglas Tug
master Type NS18 is powered by a 250 b.h.p. diesel engine and employs fully automatic transmission. It is similar in appearance to a road vehicle and has a hub-reduction rear axle, hydraulic power-assisted steering and air-pressure braking. Tractive effort is 30,000 lb. and the service weight is 14 to 18 tons. Of smaller size is the Tugmaster Type NS4, which has a maximum theoretical tractive effort of 6,000 lb.
In addition to the items referred to, there are many exhibits
at the Mechanical Handling Exhibition worth seeing. These include such things as pallets and conveyor systems and with the increasing popularity of hiring plant, the stand of Eddison Plant Ltd. (N3) is noteworthy as it is the first time that a complete stand has been devoted exclusively to a hire service.
Component manufacturers are also at Earls Court in good
numbers and worth a visit is the stand of E.N.V. Engineering Co. Ltd. (X5) where gearboxes, differentials and driving axles for mechanical handling equipment can be seen. Exhibits include a cut-away model of a 2.5-ton driving axle embodying hub reduction. Fele() Hoists Ltd. (Stand M2) is showing a range of equipment including hoists, slings and conveyors and there are two new models of Liftboy electric chain blocks. These have capacities of 3 cwt. and 6 cwt. and cost £47 10s. and 152 respectively. Simon Engineering Ltd. (Stand GIO) is exhibiting its recently introduced U.35 hydraulic platform mounted on a battery-powered truck and C. H. Johnson (Machinery) Ltd. (Stand J5) is exhibiting a swing loader mounted on a Thames 7-ton tipper chassis.