Posted by fixerupper on July 18, 2013 at 12:46:46 from (100.42.82.30):
In Reply to: Tanks As Tractors posted by jeff streeby on July 18, 2013 at 00:45:38:
Ford started making Jeeps in 1941. I restored a 'script' Jeep meaning Ford was stamped in the tailgate, from the frame up. Henry was plenty irritated that the Jeep contract was given to Willys but he did get to make a few Jeeps when Willys couldn't keep up. Willys was the MB and Ford was the GPW.
I had a neighbor who bought a WW2 troop carrier and used it for a tractor but it didn't work out. The engine couldn't take the constant load but the worst part was the steering. Most of those WW2 tracked vehicles steered with brakes only, not clutches and brakes. On a sidehill or in any pull that tended to make it veer off, one brake has to be dragged to keep it straight. The M4 18 ton High Speed Tractor I restored had the same tracks as a Sherman only a little shorter. The claimed max drawbar pull was 37,000 pounds at converter stall in low gear. Engine was a 817 CU. Waukesha inline six gas with two big one barrel downdraft carbs. I forget the exact capacity of the gas tank but it was around 100 gallons with a range of 80 miles, probably without a load. The steering brakes are wet brakes and when I turned with it I'd have to pull the brake lever with both hands until the oil burned off the brake, then it swung around RIGHT NOW! It was rough, rattled like nothing I've ever heard, and hot. None of these figures makes it very practical as a farm tractor. It will be at the Albert City Threshing show in August if you want to see it run.
On a side note, from what I've read the tank with the five flatheads was noted as being the most dependable tank because if it lost an engine there were four more to keep it going. There used to be one that ran up in Minnesota but the owner passed away and I think the tank might have been shipped to Europe. Might be wrong on that. I talked to a WW2 vet who ran a tank with two engines, maybe the caddies? He said it was tough to synchronize the engines. I think each engine ran it's own individual track so I can see where it'd be an interesting drive. Jim
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