Tipping Power Barrow
Built by Adrian Ashford in January 2011
This model was featured as a New Meccano Model in the October 1952 issue of Meccano Magazine. It was based on what was then a new type of motor-driven vehicle fitted with a tipping hopper, designed for use on building sites.
The machine is driven by an enclosed engine unit (presumably petrol-driven in the real thing) which can be turned to steer the barrow, by means of a ring pivotally mounted at the top of the engine unit, also used to engage a clutch to drive the single front wheel.
In the model, the engine unit is built up around an E15R (E20R in the original model) electric motor, of which it forms an integral part. This is the first time I have ever actually used the motor, which I brought from Hamleys in 1969! The motor is controlled by the ring, which is linked directly to the motor forward/off/reverse switch. The drive to the single front wheel (2 x 2” pulleys and tyres) is of particular interest, consisting of a single 4:1 reduction gear (3:1 in the original — 4:1 gears weren’t available then) and a friction drive to the tyres from the rod on which the gear is mounted. The front wheel is pressed into contact with the axle, mounted in the slotted holes of 2” slotted strips, by compression springs pushing upwards on the collars which form the bearings.
I partly re-designed the engine unit, using threaded bosses, and made it one hole taller — otherwise it looks the same as the original.
The way the barrow tips is interesting too; instead of being pivoted, it rolls on built-up rack strips and rollers.
All in all, I found this an interesting model to build; the instructions are very well written, with clear, well-annotated photographs.