NW First Truck
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today Tatra, A.S.
| Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft First Truck | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G. today Tatra, A.S. |
| Production | 1899 |
| Assembly | Kopřivnice, Moravia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Truck |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2x 2 cylinder Benz 2750 cc combined power (13.2 HP) at 600 RPM |
| Transmission | 3 speeds (+ reverse) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm (78.7 in) |
| Length | 4,590 mm (180.7 in) |
| Width | 1,720 mm (67.7 in) |
| Height | 2,805 mm (110.4 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Präsident |
Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft (NW) First Truck is an antique truck manufactured by Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriks-Gesellschaft A.G. (now known as Tatra) in 1899. A unique feature of the engine setup was that the two engines could be operated sequentially depending on the load requirements. After the company finished its first passenger car, named the Präsident, it focused on manufacturing a truck. The First Truck represents the beginning of the long tradition of Tatra commercial vehicles.
The truck was a flatbed with covered loading area and with a top over the personnel compartment, which could seat two.
The loading area is 1,720 mm (67.7 in) × 3,510 mm (138.2 in) and had 2,5 tons capacity. There are poles in its corners, which carry the roof. Most of the rear face wall middle part is tiltable (similar to low divided side walls) as a flatbed rear loading ramp. The seat for two is in front of the loading area.
The front axle carries the iron frame via two elliptical leaf springs. The wooden front wheels have steel rims with an outer diameter of 750 mm (29.5 in). The steering column is on the right, in front of the driver. The rear axle is sprung by two pairs of spiral springs. The wheels are wooden with steel rim and outer diameter of 900 mm (35.4 in).
The vehicle has two two-cylinder flat 120 mm × 120 mm liquid-cooled Benz engines (the same as the 1st Präsident passenger car), which are mounted under the frame behind the rear axle. Uniquely, the engines can be operated sequentially depending on the load requirements. The No. 1 engine is started via a cranking handle and has a flywheel attached, and the No. 2 engine, without a flywheel, is connected via a gear clutch and started by the first engine already running. The second engine can be started or switched off any time during the drive.
Another interesting detail is that both engines have vapour cooling: Liquid coolant is vapourized in cooling the engine, and the vapour is led to the roof condenser and the liquid water recycled back into the coolant tanks placed in the vehicle rear, reducing the water consumption.
The gear box is mounted under the frame in front of the rear axle. The gears are changed through two gear sticks in front of the driver. The truck has three gears forward and reverse. It is able to reach 20 km/h.[1] The fuel consumption was 4 kg of petrol per 100 km and it was able to climb a 12° angle.[2]
