1944 Crane 120 ton trailer (Crane Chassis No. 6815 and 6818)

©by John L.B. Crane "We made Trailers"

Two of these 120-tons capacity trailers were built. One trailer was allocated to Pickfords (Chassis No. 6815) and another to Edward Box (Chassis No. 6818). These trailers had bogies similar to those of the 80-tonners of 1939 and although the greater weight made necessary wider tyres and various components of increased strength, the bogie and turntable involved little really new design.

However, it was decided to employ hinged swan necks similar to those of the 100-tonner semi-trailer of 1936 (for a Scammell 100-tonner), so that not only could the main frame members be raised and lowered through a considerable height range, but they could also be lowered completely to the ground, allowing the bogies and swan necks to be removed at each end.

Section from original drawing No. CR120
©Crane Trailers of Dereham Ltd.

This feature enabled loads to be deposited in their final location without the need for separate lifting facilities - the trailer would be positioned over the base on which the load was to be left and packing blocks inserted to support the load; the frame was then lowered leaving the load on the blocks so the members could be withdrawn from underneath. It was also useful to be able to adjust the height to give increased clearence over humps and reduce overall height under low bridges or factory doorways.

Section from original drawing No. CR120
©Crane Trailers of Dereham Ltd.

The frames of the 80-tonners (1939) had been the first of very high capacity to be all welded, and it was decided that welding should be employed throughout on the new frames.

(The Scammell 100-Tonner trailers of 1929 were built in riveted construction.)