HUDSON Trucks/ROBERT HUDSON RALETRUX LTD Gildersome near Leeds West Yorkshire England 1963-1981
First shown at the International Equipment Exhibition in early 1963 the HUDSON Frontomatic was a front discharge truckmixer constructed and developed by Robert Hudson from RALETRUX Ltd based in Leeds Yorkshire the same manufacturer who were previously making millions[citation (source) needed] of dumper rail waggons and mine locomotives for the mine industry all in the early 1900s. Even today many Raletrux Ltd waggons can be found and many are still being used. The HUDSON Frontomatic truckmixer used a Leyland Super Comet lorry chassis and Leyland 125 bhp engine and 5 speed transmission. It had a huge mixer drum which was hydraulically driven by a pump running off the Leyland engine crankshaft and a centrally located fibreglass one man halfcab that gave the driver superb visibility when discharging using a forward facing chute over the top of the halfcab.
1967 HUDSON RALETRUX FRONTOMATIC Cementmixer Truck Diesel
Although it was to enter production on a fullscale status the unique grey HUDSON Frontomatic truckmixer model remained only a prototype but at the same time in about 1964 another model was under development too. This was the HUDSON Dumpermatic a yellow six wheeled prototype dumptruck based on a Leyland Super Hippo chassis with front steering and rear two axles driven by a Turbocharged Leyland Diesel engine of 321 bhp and Allison 6 speed automatic transmission a reliable solution and the idea was later adopted by another British company Haulamatic Ltd from Ilkeston Derbyshire.
Another final roadvehicle that was developed and was manufactured by HUDSON Trucks in the 1970s was also a brandnew yardcrane that was produced in small numbers for the local material handling companies for handling heavy goods, itself was called the HUDSON KIWI Diesel yardcrane which was powered by a Fordson Sixcilinder Diesel Major Farmtractor engine mated to a 6 speed transmission with a 4WD chassis, offroad axles and wheels this new machine was able to lift any 10 tonnes of cargo anywhere it was driven,as this model was both mechanical and hydraulic with a rear safety protected cab for moving the loads.
Gallery
See also
- List of Truck manufacturers
- More information about RALETRUX History and Information can be found on Wikipedia.
References / sources
External links
- Info + Photos on Leeds Engine.Info web site
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