Straussler

8th November 1935, Page 186

8th November 1935

Page 186

Page 186, 8th November 1935 — Straussler

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Me:hanical Horse, Four-wheel-drive Lorry, TW) Tractors and a Torsion-spring Trailer. Unorthodox Chassis Layouts

Stand 19

REPRESENTED at the Commercial Motor Show for the first time, the Straussler concern has staged a display calculated to arouse keen interest. Its products might almost be described as revolutionary. They include a mechanical-horse outfit, a four-Wheel-drive 7-ton lorry, two fourwheel-drive tractors and a Brockhousebuilt torsion-spring trailer.

Model R.T.1, the articulated tractor-trailer vehicle, has a load capacity of about . 30-50 cwt,

differs from the . familiar design of mechanical horse in having two leading wheels, which are spaced wide apart, and by which the machine is steered, whilst at the rear there are a pair of driving wheels set close together, so that, in effect, it may be regarded as a single wheel. The outfit has a high degree of manceuvrability, whilst the coupling mechanism is automatic. and quick in operation. It is largely composed of mass-produced parts of proprietary make which are easily obtainable all over the country. Furthermore, the radia-. tor, 10 h.p. engine, synchromesh. gearbox and double-reduction back axle are mounted on a sub-frame which can be detached from the main frame as an assembly.

Of even more interesting design is the Straussler 7-ton lorry. In respect of capacity to weight ratio it represents something of an achievement, scaling as a chassis only 2i tons. It is noteworthy that equal driving torque is applied to all four wheels, and the axles are equally loaded. There is a straight tubular backbone, to which the two drivingaxle units are attached. The outer ends of the front axle casing incorporate steering heads containing constant-velocity universal joints through which the drive is trans mitted. The axles can rock about the axis of the " backbone."

Placed beside the central tube and about midships, the power unit is coupled to a gearbox, whence the drive is transmitted, by a transfer drive incorporating a differential to a shaft in the central tube. A light main frame is mounted on springs above the two axles. The power unit is an eight-cylindered V-type engine of 3.65 litres capacity. As shown, the machine has a wheelbase of 10 ft. Gins., arid a loading platform 14 ft. long.

In a somewhat modified form this machine is available as a cross-country lorry, rated at 4 tons.

Finally there are displayed two four wheel-drive tractors. Like the lorry, they have central tubular backbones, and the layout of the drivng mechanism is generally similar. Over the back axle is mounted a box body which articulates with the axle, and is entirely separate from the cab which rocks with the front axle,

The light and heavy models are distinguished by the symbols L.T.1 and H.T.1, the former has a four-cylindered overhead-valve engine of 11-litre capacity which develops 35 b.h.p. An hydrai-dic coupling is an optional transmission unit. The gearbox affords four forward speeds, and the spur-gear transfer drive incorporates a lockable differential gear.

Model H.T.1 has an eight-cylindered V-type 3.6-litre engine.

The maximum draw-bar pulls of these tractors are 2,500 lb. and 7,000 lb. respectively.

The smaller model is described as suitable for hauling 6-10 tons, and the large machine 15-20 tous.—Straussler Mechanisation, Ltd., 70, Pall Mall, London, S. W.1.

Straussler

Page 186

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