The Lambert Friction-Drive Chassis

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The chassis shown above is a typical one employing the friction-disk transmission. An 18-horse-power, double-opposed-cylinder motor of 5 inches bore and 4 inches stroke is mounted in front and carries, on an extension of its cranlishaft, a large aluminium-faced (CowtiwMed on page 342) THE LAMBERT FRICTION DRIVE CHASSIS. (ConfiwMed from page 325.) driving disk. The paper-covered driven disk is slidably mounted upon a countershaft which is capable of being moved slightly forward or backward, in order to press the driven disk against the driving one, or to withdraw it while it is being shifted. A pedal moves the countershaft forward, while a spring withdraws it. A Single chain transmits the power from the countershaft to the differential upon the live rear axle. Forward movement of the car is obtained by placing the driven disk on one side of the driver, and reverse motion by placing it upon the opposite side. The nearer to the periphery of the driving disk the driven one is moved, the faster the car moves along the road. The Simplicity of this device is as great as its antiquity. It is only within the past three or four years, however, that this type of transmission has been made thoroughly practical. Its cost of maintenance is extremely low, while its reliability is very great. The Lambert Company has applied it to trucks of the heaviest type with equal success.

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