PORTABLE MILLING MACHINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1738, 17 July 1917, Page 4

PORTABLE MILLING MACHINE.

FEEDING THE RUSSIAN ARMIES FLOUR GROUND ON BATTLE FRONT. It is stated that while the Russian Government has a good supply of grain, the lack of milling facilities has. made it ditlicnlt to deliver flour to the armies in (ho field. This trouble has been partly overcome by a fleet of portable milling plants mounted on 3A ton motor trucks, which follow (tie army and can grind I lie wheat into flour right on (he battle front. The truck has a special body of large capacity, in which all the milling' machinery is boused. Curtains may be raised to admit light when the mill is in operation, or (lie machinery may lie entirely closed to protect it against, inclement weather. This outfit has proved to tie very practical for war purposes, and a large number have been ordered by the Russian authorities. 'flic machinery is supplied by a prominent American manufacturer of Hour milling machinery, and is arranged so that the motor truck power plant can be utilised to furnish energy for driving tlie mills. A friction clutch is mounted on the propeller shaft in order to provide a connection which may be made or interrupted at will between the source of power and the machinery. A silent chain drive is utilised in connection with the clutch, and is brought into action when it is desired to transmit the engine power. It is understood, of course, that when I lie mill is being operated the (ruck is stationary. The mill is a short-roller system, with a capacity of 25 bushels of wheat flour per hour. There is a three-reduction mill for grinding, and a complete (‘loaning and bolting equipment. In addition, the necessary elevators and conveying equipment for making the system automatic is provided. The motor truck chassis, also of American design, weighs, with equipment, about 14,000 pounds. The frame is a substantial structure of pressed steel channel section, and is supported by somi-oliptie springs. The wheel base is about 13 feet. The out fit is propelled by a highpowered petrol engine.