Petrol-electric wheel milling machine

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BEP wheel milling machine in the side profile
Caterpillar milling machine BER in the side profile, clearly recognizable the caterpillar drive

The petrol-electric wheel milling machine , also known as BEP for short, was a German snow-clearing machine for winter service , which was first used in Germany in the mid-1930s and was then continuously developed until 1941.

Original idea and area of ​​application

The origin of the first snow clearing machines goes back to the so-called "Peter milling machines", the inventor of which was the Swiss Peter Rocco . The snow throwers he made were then further developed by German companies. The main use of the BEP took place primarily in the winter road service of the Reichsautobahnmeistereien, but also in the municipal snow removal of Reichs and country roads (road maintenance authorities). From the winter of 1941 onwards, they were also used selectively in the rear operational area of ​​the Eastern Front.

Mode of operation and technical data

The BEP had two V8 Ford engines as prime movers. The speed of the motors was regulated to 2500 revolutions per minute by speed limiters. The BEP therefore produced a total of 108 kW (146 hp). Both motors worked on a common shaft from which the milling drum and a direct current generator were driven. The DC generator served to operate the chassis. The electric drive was chosen in order to better "regulate" the driving speed and to dose it more precisely and to be able to adapt the clearing performance of the milling machine. The rear of the two juxtaposed wheels were used for steering, the front tires were arranged rigidly. The BEP had a drive axle and reached a cruising speed of about 30 km / h. The milling drum itself consisted of two symmetrical halves and had a clearing width of 2.50 m with a diameter of 1.20 m. The speed of the drum was n = 260. The motors worked up to approx. N = 2500.

Subspecies "BER"

The gasoline-electric wheel milling machine (BER) was a sub-construction of the BEP. In contrast to the BEP type, this ran on a caterpillar drive and was therefore able to “climb” the snow, whereas the wheel milling machine had to remain on firm ground. Otherwise it had the same performance and modification as the BEP.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Internal service instructions of the General Inspector for German Roads for the Road Winter Service, 1942 edition, page 172, 173