Workshop Trucks

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by John Sliz

What does the "KL" stand for?

The type designation comes originally from the British Army. The Machinery lorries and trailers had letters denoting their types or roles. There was a K type based on a 3 ton 6x4 lorry, which was declared obsolete early in the war, it carried electric welding plant and generator, gas welding / cutting sets, 2 forges, 2 anvils and 2 blocks. It was replaced by the KL type fitted to a 15cwt 4x2 truck, now my belief is that KL stood for Type K, Lightweight.......unless someone else knows better

Richard

[Grant Bowker]

I had always understood that the L was for light, but wasn't aware of the K being a 3 ton welding unit. I'm working from memory, not documents on this...

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

I had always understood that the L was for light, but wasn't aware of the K being a 3 ton welding unit. I'm working from memory, not documents on this...

Grant,

Details of the Type K ( 3ton 6x4) are from a War Office publication on REME activities during WW2. The photo of a KL in the book is a CMP, but I have seen photos of Morris Commercials as well.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I'm posting in this thread as I found a contract card for Truck, 15-cwt 4x2 Machinery , Type " K, Light"

The way I read this card, is that SM.6050 was the order for the Chevrolet C15 4x2 trucks, and the order BM.V.2276 is for the welder plant sets. A clerk has been adding up the cost per unit.

SM.6050 was for Chevrolet 15-cwt 4x2 trucks allocated with WD Census number range Z 5451950 to 5455219. I do not think all 3,270 trucks from this order were converted to KL's, though.

co01115(2).jpg


Here are some quotes from the Workshop Trucks thread:

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

A "K Light" or as it was officially known "KL", was a 15 cwt truck, described as; "Plant, Welding, Electric, Single operator, Engine driven". Also mated with "Trailer, Gas welding".

It superceded "K" which was a 3 ton 6x4 which carried electric and gas welding equipment as well as two forges, anvils and blacksmiths tools.

Originally Posted by Les Freathy

I am still trying to locate the spec sheet, wonder why it is that things are never where they should be. | have probably taken it of the file and put it back in a hurryinto the wrong one, meantime here's a photo of the Bedford MW K type Machinery
mach3.jpg

Originally Posted by Les Freathy

and a CMP 15cwt seen this up as both a K type and articised generator
mach2.jpg

Originally Posted by Les Freathy

At last here is the spec sheet on the KL machinery
mach8.jpg