An Atkinson Light 6-tonner Appears
Page 50
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Gardner-engined Bigcapacity Four-wheeler with Jensen Lightweight Body Makes Its Debut
FAMOUS for years in connection with soundly built four and multiwheeled big-capacity goods vehicles, Atkinson Lorries (1933), Ltd., Marsh Lane, Preston, has recently produced an attractive model of lighter type, the first example of which has been sold to B. L. W. Smith and Co., Cheltenham, through Cheltenham Factors, Ltd., and Wells and Mayner, Ltd., Birmingham.
Jensen Motors, Ltd., West Bromwich, which recently entered the lightweight-bodywork field, has built the body and cab of this particular Atkinson. Its unladen weight is 2 tons 9 cwt. 16 lb. and it can carry 6 tons of pay-load.
Overall its length is 19 ft. and its width 7 ft. The corresponding body dimensions are 15 ft. and 6 ft. 6 ins.,
the wheelbase is 11 ft. 6 ins., whilst the tracks are 5 ft. 01 ins. (front) and 5 ft. (rear). The turning circle is 41 ft. The price of the new Atkinson chassis is 065.
A Gardner 4LK compression-ignition engine drives sthrOugh a single-plate dry clutch to a David Brown fourspeed gearbox. Thence a Laymb tubular propeller shaft connects with a back axle which has a Kirkstali casing, a David Brown overhead worm drive and fully floating halfshafts. The axle ratio is 6.25 to 1.
In conjunction with 34 by 7 tyres this gives a road speed of approximately 34 m.p.h. for a crankshaft speed of 2,000 r.p.m., the governed r.p.m. of the 4LK unit. The indirect gear ratios are 10.5, 17.4 and 37.2 to 1.
Ball and roller bearings carry the hubs at front and rear, to which steel disc wheels are attached by eight studs apiece. Girling brakes are employed on all wheels, with Lockheed hydraulic connections to the pedal. The rear brakes are also connected mechanically to the hand control.
The chassis frame has a robust appearance. Its side members are of channel section, as also are the crossmembers. The front axle is an I-section forging and steering is effected through a Manes cam-androller box. A 15-gallon fuel tank is fitted and there is 12-volt electrical equipment, which includes dynamo, battery, five lamps and a horn.
A gilled-tube radiator is fitted behind a stoneguard which carries the familial symbol of an A in a circle.
Circulation of the cooling water is assisted by a pump and there is a thermostat to ensure that an economically high temperature is maintained.
The body, in this case, is carried on a timber sub-frame which has been channelled out to save weight.