New E.R.F. Range of Oilers
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TAETAILS of a new E.R.F. chassis fitted with the Gardner four-cylinclered oil engine have been obtained exclusively by "The Commercial. Motor." It is designated the 4.4 model.. Two further models, calltd the 4.5 and 4.6, are being made, with Gardner five and sixcylindered engines respectively.
The 4,4 model, with a payload capacity of if tons, hue. the latest Gardner engine, which develops. 68 b.lepl, at l',700 r.p.m. A single-plate clutch, carried in the erartkease housing transmits the power to the five-speed-and-reverse gearbox,. gear ratios. available through the gearbox being 6.15, 125, 1111, an& 1 he 1, forward; with an overdrive of 0.75 to, L Reverse-gear ratio is 6A5 to I. The robust gearbox casing is, of unit construction, and the gears are of niciteli case-handened steel, ground subsequent to hardening.
Overhead Worm Gear
Power is transmitted from the gearbox to the rear axle by tubular propeller shafts, the forward universal joint being of Laynib pattern, whilst the rear shaft has Hardy Spicer needle-roller universal joints. The fully floating rear axle incorporates a large overhead worm and wheel at' 71-in, centres, final-drive ratio being7.25 to 1.
Worm and sector gear, fitted with ball and roller bearings throughout, provides exceptionally light steering action and requires little maintenance. Self-adjusting ball-socket ends are fitted to the track rod and drag link.
Lockheed hydraulic braking, assisted by an hydraulic pump‘ driven from. the gearbox mainshaft, is anentirely new feature of the E.R.F. All four wheels are fitted, withGirling two4eading-shoe assemblies and the brakes are progressive and, powerful in action. Brake shoes 3 ins., wide are used at the front and 5 ins, wide at the rear. They operate in 16:-/-in. diameter drums, the hand brake taking effect on only the rear wheels.
Long, wide semi-elliptic springs at the front and rear provide good suspension under all conditions of loading. The spring shackles are drop forgings with asplit grip on
the shackle pins. Channel-section steel pressings used for the frame side members are of special shape to eliminate the need for employing body runners. The design. of these side members permits the use of overhead springs directly underneath, the web of the frame side member. Adequate crosa-bracing is provided by deep pressed-steel channelsection mernhera4 which are drilled for lightening purposes.
A 40-gallon filet tank on the near side of the frame gives the vehicle a range of 700-8130 miles. Dynamo, starter and battery are all on a 12-volt system.
Separate from the casing, the large-capacity radiator core consists of aluminium, upper and. lower water tanks fitted with detachable tubes. The location of the tube stack and eowled fan enables the radiator to function with maximum efficiency.
Cab design has received particular attention, more space being provided for the driver and his mate. With the radiator placed well down in the chassis, the front and side screens have been deepened to give exceptional. visibility. A handsome instrument panel, carrying a radiator-temperature dial in addition to the normal instruments, finishes off the interior of the cab, which is panelled with hardwood and compound boarding.
An Operator's View
A representative of "The Commercial Motor" had an opportunity, of, travelling in one of the new 4.4 models which is in the service of F. J. Edwards. Ltd., Euston Road; London, N.W.1-. Normally, this. vehicle : carries machine tools, manufactured. by. the operator,. to all parts of the country. The transport manager said that the-new vehicle had already earned a good name for its suspension, because, in, several thousand miles' running, no breakages to.. goods in transit had occurred—an almost unprecedented event.
Journeying through Louden on road:s covered with a film of ice, the ER.F. behaved particularly well and pulled up evenly onall four wheelS when braking. The journey was noticeably smooth, there being little engine vibration: and few shocks. transmitted: by uneven road Surfaces. Acceleration was up to the average standard. The steering and other controls appeared. to be lighter than on some 8-tonners,, and' were conveniently placed. Horn button and head lhmp control switch are mounted on the steering column and may beoperated' without relaxing one's hold of 'the steering wheel. Gear changing was accomplished without difficulty or noise, and it was noticeable that only ashort. movement was. required between the gear positions.
The 4.4 chassis is available in; standard, medium and tipper wheelbase lengths of 14 ft. 12 ft. 6 ins., and lift. 1 in., respectively, with body lengths of 18ft., 16 ft., and 12' ft. 6 ins. Platform height; fully laden; is 3 ft. 11 ins. for the tipper and 3. ft 9' ins. for the: two other models. Turning circleof the standard model is 56. ft.„, the medium model. 50; ft., and 43 ft. for the tipper. The new range of vehicles is manufactured b.y E.R.F., Ltd., Sun. Works, Sandbach, Cheshire..