The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-12-01
ARMY WHEELED SHOPS
INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT IN
USE Or MOTOR TRUCKS
Msryeis of Effici,ncy-Each Vehicle
Carries 1909 Tools--fioor Space Is
Arranged With Ingenious Skill
Jniiit Compact for Road


yelopmen; In the use of motor trucks
In military operations is completely
equipped repair shop mounted upon a
three-ton motor truck.
During the expedition into Mexico n
number OF these portable machine
shops We're used by our army To keep
In repair the fleets OF power wagons
that transported supplies and muni
tions over the rough roads south OF
the border The value OF a repair shop
that could accompany an army without
difficulty was demonstrated very
thoroughly by about twenty suc- We
hicles built for our own forces and
an equal nuaber that serve the allies
in Europe They were designed ana
equipped at a cost OF about $4,000
each.
Aside from their military value. they
have great possibilities for road build
ers. bridge builders and contractors for
all kirds Of extensive construction in
out-of-the-way places. Wherever there
is heavy hauling to oe done b. motor
trucks in sparsely settled parts OF the
country the repair shop that can go to
the job is a saver in time and money.
Special equipment would be provided
for contractors making use of imple-
4
The type supplied TO the army is in
geniously contrived to make use of all
the floor space TO best advantage. The
drill press. lathe and workbench are
bolted to the door of the motor truck
which has inside dimensions Of IL feet
| 1 inches by feet. Ample space for
the mechanics is provided by lowering
the side and rear panels. When they
are placed horizontally the floor space
! Is increased TO a length OF IL feet
inches and width OF feet inches,
so that the workmen are not crowded,
even when five or six are employed
al once When a halt is made for any
considerable time a canvas top Is ex-
tended as q shelter from the sun, and
the canvas is available for protection
Of the machinery from the wet weather
or dust when the motor truck is on
| the road.
The adjustable panels make a re-
markably efficient space saver. When
extended they allow generous floor
space. as described. yet when the out.
fit is ready to travel they fold up At
the sides and end. making a very
compact load. This is matter OF i'm
portance. as a military road is likely TO
i. become congested. and bulky body
might have difficulty in getting
through The repair shop motor truck
is ne--row and takes up no more room
on the road than a Moderately loaded
three-tol machine.
| The machine tooi. ..iclude l3-inch
drill press and 13-inch swing by 5-ioot
screw-cutting lathe with compound
rest suitable face pi.te. chucks ana
steady and back rests. The bench cab
! met Of solid oak is set 10 the rear OF
/ the lathe and press and carries an
electric grinder and machinist's and
nine vises. while its drawers contain
| a complete equipment OF tools. Alto
gether. the motor truck carries more
than 600 tools. large and small Inc
cabinet and the lathe and drill press
are solidly bolted 10 the floor, whlle
the forge is designed to be used on
the ground beside the vehicle When
travelling il is czrried on the top OF
! the cabinet.
everything is slowed shipshape,
where il can be readily found and cas-
| rv hacked for the road Brackets or
4 aces on various parts Of the body
take care OF the fire pots, blow torches.
hand grinders chain falls and similar
equipment. while the space under the
bodv is utilized for oxygen and acety-
lene tanks. welding outfit in a cab
met that slides into a drawer, and an
assortment OF carpenter and black
smith tools. A 300-foot coil Of rope Is
carried at the rear of the chassis.
The electric installation consists OF
a direct-curTent generator operated by
an auxiliary as engine, 4-cylinder'
s.horse-power engine which Is indepen-
dent Of the motor that propels the We
hicle. The lathe is driven by 5-horse-
power motor through suitable rheo'
stat. while two motors of ! horsepower
each operate the drill press, electric
grinder and an electric breast drill
valuable feature Of the electric power
plant is the fact that Il supplies
ample light for night work; in fact'
when the motor truck is not operating
as a machine shop II will supply sur
ficient power for lighting camp.
Included in the equipment OF tools
large and small are implements Tor
all repairs that may be required when
a large fleet Of vehicles is operating
under the most severe road conditions.
From a complicated job Of welding 10
the vulcanizing OF a tire the motor
repair shop is available at short notice