ELECTRIC TRUCK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3122, 28 June 1917, Page 8

ELECTRIC TRUCK

i ~ FOll USE ON THE WHARVES. [ There is a possibility of another lab-our-saving dovnjß being brought into use by tho Wellington Harbour Board on the wharves m tho form of an oloctrio truck capablo ot either carrying a load or pulling one. This motor truck was exhibited at the King's Whmf yesterday beforo Mr. (J. B. Daniell (chairman of tho board), Messrs. Cobbe, Wallis. and Wright (members of tho board), Mr. A. V.- U. Munro (traffio manager), and many representative business men.. Tho truck, which is boing exhibited by Messrs. Magnus, Sanderson and Co., Ltd., is an American machine-, standing about four feot six inches high. It is ten feet long and fivo feot wide, and runs on four wheels, each about fifteen inches in diameter. Tho batteries and machinery which drivo tho truck are fixed below the floor, ' and aro controlled by small lovers on tho back end of tho truck. From this point the truck is also guided by means of a handle to the left of tho driver. Tho driver stands at tho back of tho truck on two stop-like fixtures,-which are really brake controls. In tho event of requiring a sndden stop tho driver can jump right off his stand, and his doing so allows tho brakes to antoniittiailly take effect, and they can pull up the truck in less than its own length. Altogether the truck weighs just i:iHler 2000 pounds. The driving power comes from i'Mison dry bnttoHca, which aro charged with sufficient power for a good oight hours' work. \

Several tests were made yesterday afternoon, and general satisfaction was expressed at tho results. The severest testwas tho taking of live dumps of wool, weighing nearly two tons, from ,7 abed to Hie middle of tho Glasgow Wharf, a distance of two or tlireo hundred yards. Tho machine turned theso off and returned to .T shed again, tho whole .performance taking seven minnces. The machine was again loaded "*ilh w<x,l,nnd in addition to its own bad drew two extra trucks along tho wharf, tho whole weighing threo tons, and another .load of general merchandise- weighing three lons was slso drawn. Tho truck, carrying five mon, thon went at a smart paco along the wharves back to its garago.