A WONDERFUL TRUCK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 162, 3 April 1919, Page 6

A WONDERFUL TRUCK

ELECTRIC POWER SAVES LABOUR,

Most people who visit the wharves are attracted by the operation of (ho new electric tractors, which have been secured in America by the Wellington Harbtfnr Board, on the advice of Mr. James Marchbanks (engineer to the board). "The tank" is the title already bestowed upon it by the waterside workors and, like its namesake, it certainty is equal to its job. Its tank-like appearance is due to the big rectangular steel compartment (which forms nearly tho whole of the truck). This is the storage, battery-box, and contains three rows of Edison batteries. The drive is the simples* imaginable. Thero is a lever for the power (including a clutch lor the reverse), and ii cross fiteering arm. | The truck turns on both sets of wheels, i and can be manoeuvred into any posi- j tion, rapidly and noiselessly. The driver j sits on a spring seat fixed on the bat-tery-box, and, other than has brake, has nothing to .do with hie feet. The traekthe one inspected was an Edwall Parker industrial electric truck (built at Cleve-land)-is capable of hauling six tons deadweight, and has done it on the Wellington wTiiirf. One charge will supply the necessary "juice" for a CO-iiulc rim. Tho little low wheels are etrongly made of iron, with solid rubber tyres, 'lhcse trucks can run alon? with throe b:g hand trucks trailing along behind, at u »reat rate. The possession of twenty of Such trucks is calculated to revolutionise the transhipping work on the_ Wellington waterfront, as it is believed; that they will in time eliminate the singleman hand truck altogether. Ihe batte.'ies are recharged during the deau hours from the city mains. Thero are many other .purposes to which such a motor truck can be put other than dro.wing trucks of goods. Iho Harbour Board's men have found that out already. Same'of the 'bis slide doors to the sheds taken fou.r or five men to open or close. Yesterday they were seen to hitch a length of rope on to a doghook, which was fastened to the <ioor. The rope was attached to the truck, and when the power was applied the truck moved ahead awl closed the door. "The only trouble is." said one man. "that they'are so handy that soon well all want ono of them to go home and come to work on!"