Chase Motor Truck Company History

The Chase Motor Truck Company was an American manufacturer of automobiles and utility vehicles, trucks and tractors from the early part of the 20th century from 1906 to 1919.

History

The Chase Motor Truck Company from Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, United States, the company was founded in 1906 by Aurin M. Chase in Syracuse New York. Chase had experience with agricultural implements; Previously, he had been vice president of Syracuse Chilled Plow Company, which belonged to his father. In 1905 he became deputy plant manager at the car manufacturer HH Franklin Manufacturing Company in Syracuse. The first Chase vehicles were at first high wheelers similar to the International Harvester and Brockway. The focus of the company was early on the commercial vehicle production, and as early as 1908 appeared the first truck, a cab with 3-ton payload and also designed as a high wheeler. From very early Chase put in their own engines, all air-cooled two-stroke. 

The origin of the early Chase engines is not proven, but it is likely that they were made in-house. All Chase high wheelers had air-cooled two-stroke engines. First appeared a 15 hp two-cylinder engine with 4½ × 5 inch bore and stroke, resulting in a displacement of 159.0 ci, corresponding to 2606 cc. The rating was 16.2 HP. This two-cylinder was replaced in 1909 by a three-cylinder 134,5 ci (2171 cc) at 3¾ × 4 inch bore and stroke. Again, 15 hp are 12.675 HP'

For the larger 20 hp three- and 30-hp four-cylinder own production may be considered secure. These latter two were also the motors of the high-Wheeler model family used the longest.  The three-cylinder PS 20 had 4⅛ x 4 inch bore and stroke, yielding a capacity of 160.4 ci, respectively. 2628 cc. The four-cylinder was reserved for commercial vehicles. The power was transmitted to a countershaft, at the two ends of drive gears were mounted. Of these, each led a drive chain to each rear wheel. The passenger cars and some light commercial vehicles received two-speed planetary gearbox, larger models a conventional three-speed gearbox. 

The wheelbase of the vehicles designed for passenger transport was initially 84 inches (2434 mm), then 100 inches (2540 mm). Model F weighed 1,500 lb (680 kg) in both the two-cylinder and three-cylinder versions. The vehicles were right-hand drive throughout.  Typically, the suspension consisted of a pair of longitudinally disposed Elliptic- leaf springs at the front and a transversely mounted semi-elliptic leaf spring rear, but there were also versions with longitudinally mounted semi-elliptic leaf springs back. The wood spoke wheels initially had the dimension 40 × 1¾ inches (1016 × 41 mm) and from 1909 40 × 1⅝ inches (1016 × 44 mm); Solid rubber tires were part of the basic equipment. The rates increased with the introduction of three-cylinder models from $ 750.- to $ 900.

All Chase motor vehicles manufactured until model year 1914 were high wheelers; Carriage-like motor vehicles with huge wheels. The engine in front under a hood instead of in or under the car body. The first model 15 HP was a two-seat runabout with 2.6 litre twin-cylinder engine, which was introduced for the model year 1907. The model’s name indicates its ALAM rating of 15 hp. For 1908, a version of this vehicle is occupied as a panel van. It seems that these early models had their air intake in the upper part of the "radiator grille". Also in 1908, the program was to the aforementioned High Wheeler extended lorry used 3 tn (2720 kg) payload. This too Cabover received an air-cooled two-stroke engine, which provided 30 hp.

 The Chase 15 HP (1907-1908) was the first vehicle of this manufacturer and with its successor Model F the only one, which could be used also for the person promotion. Like all Chase produced before 1914, these were high wheelers, d. H. Carriage-like motor vehicles with huge wheels. Atypical of this category was on Chase, that the engine was mounted in front under a hood instead of in or under the car body. Between 15 HP, Model F and other types of the manufacturer, there were clear similarities as well as to some competing products, such as the International Motor Wagon or corresponding vehicles of Brockway. The latter had experienced assistance from Chase in the development. The first 30 Brockway trucks were built on Chase chassis. 

The 15 HP was a two-seat runabout with a 2.6-liter two-cylinder engine. The model’s name indicates the power of 15 hp (according to a source: 10 HP). For 1908, a version of this vehicle is occupied as a panel van.  It seems that these early models had their air intake in the upper part of the "radiator grille". Also in 1908, the program was a high wheeler truck with 3 tn (2720 kg) payload expanded. Also, this front handlebar received an air-cooled two-stroke engine, which provided 30 hp.

Chase Model F (1909-1912). This model had a longer wheelbase, a new body and a three-cylinder engine with 2.1 litre capacity. Again, it was an air-cooled two-stroke. The construction was called Surrey. Doors were neither front nor rear, and the rear seat could be removed in a few easy steps, leaving a light van with up to 700 lb (230 kg) payload available. This explains the alternative name used by the manufacturer Businessman's Roadster, the target audience was farmers and craftsmen in rural areas who worked with them during the week and were able to drive the family to church or picnic on Sunday. These Chase high wheelers were bigger than most competing products.  The rates increased with the introduction of three-cylinder models from $ 750.- to $ 900.-. 

All Chase high wheelers had air-cooled two-stroke engines. First appeared a 15-hp two-cylinder with 159 ci (2606 cc), which was replaced by an equally strong three-cylinder with 134.5 ci, (2171 cc). The origin of these engines is not proven, but it is likely that they were made in-house. For the larger 20-hp three-and 30-hp four-cylinder, this may be considered secure.  These two were the motors used longest of High Wheeler generation. The passenger cars and some light commercial vehicles received two-speed planetary gearbox, larger models a conventional three-speed gearbox. The drive was applied to a counter shaft and from it with a gear at each end of the shaft and thus a driven drive chain transferred to the corresponding gear on the rear axle and thus to the wheel.

The wheelbase of the vehicles designed for passenger transport was initially 84 inches (2434 mm), then 100 inches (2540 mm). Model F weighed 1,500 lb (680 kg) in both the two-cylinder and three-cylinder versions. The vehicles were right-hand drive throughout. Typically, the axle suspension consisted of a pair of longitudinally arranged elliptic leaf springs at the front and a transversely mounted semi-elliptic leaf spring at the rear, as shown in the adjacent figure. But there were also suspensions with longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs behind. The wooden spoke wheels initially had the dimension 40 × 1¾ inches (1016 × 41 mm) and from 1909 40 × 1⅝ inches (1016 × 44 mm); Solid rubber tires were part of the basic equipment.

All Chase High wheeler built on the principle that had been introduced with the 15 HP. The 15 HP was the smallest model in the program. The largest, a four-cylinder cab with 2.7 t payload, followed in 1908. A number of commercial vehicles introduced in 1912 are known by name. Apparently, the setting of the Model F led to a reorganization of the vehicle program. However, hardly any information is available on the production time and the respective engines.

From 1908 Chase offered a "tractor-roller", which was more suitable for pulling equipment than for field work. This did not change until 1915, when two conventional tractors were introduced, but the larger one was discontinued after a short time. As early as 1908, a "tractor-roller" had been introduced, which was powered by an "air-cooled small engine". It is suspected that the tractor-Roller has received an in-house 15 HP two-cylinder engines. 1913 appeared the further developed tractor-scooter combination with three-cylinder two-stroke engine and 30 HP from PTO. In 1915, two conventional tractors replaced the earlier models. The Chase 40 HP Tractor is only known to weigh 6000 lb (2.7 tons), cost $ 1750, and was run in the program for a very short time. The smaller 8-16received a Waukesha four-cylinder engine with 8 hp at the drawbar and 16 hp at the PTO. This model was further developed in 1918 to Chase 9-18 and received a Buda four-cylinder with 9 hp on the drawing bar and 18 hp at the PTO. The variant manufactured in Canada from 1919 had a larger Buda engine (bore 4.25 inches, stroke 5.5 inches, resulting in a displacement of 312.1 ci or 5114 cc). Whether these changes were related to the Buda program or should be an improvement of the tractor is not apparent. 

1912 ended the production of vehicles for passenger transport. For two years quite large high wheelers were built for commercial applications. From 1914 conventional trucks are occupied, which were Assembled trucks from purchased components. These vehicles were initially as trucks with payloads of 1, 2 and 3 ton and purchased, Water-cooled four cylinder four- stroke engines from Continental. These were quite modern constructions with cardan drive. The in-house engines are no longer detectable after 1914 in Chase commercial vehicles; it is unclear whether they have been produced for third parties. At the latest after 1915, the three-cylinder tractor also ran out. The new generation of Chase lorries with side-controlled Continental four- cylinder four- stroke engines is guaranteed were driven. The power transmission carried out via conventional four-speed transmission of Brown the lip or Cotta, a propeller shaft and a differential with worm drive to the rear axle; a then quite modern construction element. 

From 1916 the program was significantly expanded. It now also included models with engines from other suppliers.1918, the now streamlined production range consisted of four commercial vehicles with payloads between 1 and 3½ tn, for the two lighter models four-cylinder engines were purchased from Waukesha and for the heavier Buda. The ignition systems supplied American Bosch.

By 1917 versions with payloads of three-quarter-3½-ton with Waukesha and Buda engines. The US Army also took an unknown number of these trucks. 1918, vehicles were also set up as farm tractors. The circumstances that led to the closure in Syracuse are unknown. A fresh start with the slightly revised tractor Chase Tractors Corporation in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) had already failed by 1921.