Published on
August 28, 2010 in
German.
This vehicle is used as a troop carrier and for towing light artillery and supply trailers. Accommodation for a crew of seven, including driver, is provided in the well of the body, the sides of which are sufficiently deep to obscure personnel to shoulder height when seated. With all inspection hatches of the hull closed the main body of the vehicle is practically watertight in traversing deep water.
The chassis of this vehicle is used for several specialized mountings: (1) for the 2 cm Flak 30 gun; (2) for gas-detector truck (Sd. Kfz. 10/1); (3) for light decontamination vehicle (Sd. Kfz. 10/2) carrying a hopper for spreading bleaching powder; (4) for light bulk contamination vehicle (Sd. Kfz. 10/3) fitted with a tank for blister gas and spraying device.
The power plant of the later models consists of a Maybach H.L. 42 T.R.K.M. straight-six, water-cooled engine rated at 100 horsepower. The Maybach N.L. 38 T.R.K.M. rated at 95 horsepower was formerly used. The power train is comprised of the twin-plate clutch, the preselective type transmission with four forward and one reverse speeds with high and low range, and the differential unit of spur-gear and pinion type. Steering is effected by normal steering wheel for turns under 15°; turns over 15° are negotiated by the combined action of turning the front wheels and braking the appropriate epicyclic-drive sprocket by means of the steering brakes mounted on the driving shaft.
The pneumatic-tired front wheels are of the disk type and are fitted on a normal type axle suspended by a single transverse semi-elliptic spring. Two hydraulic shock absorbers are fitted. Each of the flexible rear tracks is borne by a driving sprocket at the front end and an idler wheel at the rear, while between these are five pairs of pressed-steel, rubber-tired bogie wheels.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
3.7 tons |
| Length |
|
15 ft., 7 ins. |
| Width |
|
6 ft. |
| Height |
|
5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
13 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
5 ft., 2 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
4 ft., 6 ins. |
| Width of track |
|
9.4 ins. |
| Track links |
|
41 |
| Pitch of track |
|
6.25 ins. |
| Fording depth |
|
27 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
176 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
93 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
|
40 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
|
25 m.p.h. |
| Trailer load |
|
1.1 ton |
| Engine |
|
Maybach HL 42 TRKM—100 hp. |
| Transmission |
|
4 forward speeds, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering |
|
Over 15° epicyclic |
| Crew |
|
7 |
German: p. 51
Published on
July 11, 2010 in
German.
This 18-ton vehicle is the heaviest of the German semitrack prime movers. It is often used by the Germans in the evacuation of their damaged tanks. It has a net weight of 16.8 tons and a combat weight of 19.8 tons. Its personnel capacity is 8, including driver and helper, and it can tow a trailer load of 20 tons. The maximum highway range of action is 160 miles on a fuel tank capacity of 72 gallons. Its weight distribution is as follows: front wheels, 5,289 pounds; track, 34,320 pounds.
The front suspension is comprised of a tubular floating axle mounting two pneumatic-tired, heavy duty wheels with transverse leaf springing. The track suspension is the standard semitrack system consisting of straddle-mounted rubber-tired bogie wheels sprung on torsion bars housed in cross tubes; front sprocket, rear idler, and needle-bearing track.
The power plant is the V-12 cylinder, Maybach gasoline engine rated at 230 horsepower. The transmission provides four speeds forward and one reverse with high and low range. Steering is effected by normal steering wheel and an epicyclic-controlled differential drive for the track with a brake linkage connected to the front-wheel steering system.
In addition to the electric starter, this vehicle is also equipped with a Bosch airplane-type inertia starter located on the right side of the engine.
A power winch is located at the rear, with facilities for passing the cable beneath the vehicle and out the front end. The winch-driving mechanism and the drum are located near the center of the chassis. The drum is horizontal and is driven by a propeller shaft from the rear of the transmission. The hub of the winch-driving mechanism is fitted with a slide gear which enables the operator to engage and disengage the winch from the rear of the vehicle. The winch-lifting capacity is 7.7 tons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | |
16.8 tons |
| Length | |
27 ft. |
| Width | |
8 ft.. 6 ins. |
| Height | |
9 ft., 1 in. |
| Ground clearance | |
21 ins. |
| Tread centers | |
(wheels, 82 ins.; track, 78 ins.) |
| Ground contact | |
9 ft., 4 ins. |
| Width of track | |
17.3 ins. |
| Track links | |
47 |
| Pitch of track |
| Fording depth | |
30 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads | |
161 miles |
| Cross-country | |
62 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
| Cross-country |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
| Sides |
| Armament |
| Ammunition |
| Engine | |
Maybach HL 98 TUK, 230 hp. |
| Transmission | |
4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering | |
Normal and epicyclic-controlled differential |
| Crew | |
8 |
German: p. 56
Published on
May 30, 2010 in
German.
The 12-ton heavy prime mover is highly mobile despite its bulky appearance. It can handle a trailer load of 13 tons and carry a crew of 11, including the driver. It has a weight distribution as follows: front wheels, 5,200 pounds; track, 21,300 pounds. Its combat weight is 16 tons.
The front suspension consists of a tubular axle of the oscillating, floating type carried by two pressed steel wheels, size 11.25 x 20, mounting extra heavy-duty tires. A traverse leaf spring is on a pivot in the center of the frame. One end of the spring is mounted to the axle through a shackle while the other end is free to slide. The rear, or track suspension, is made up of six twin rubber-tired bogie wheels mounted on torsion arms, attached to torsion bars and housed in cross tubes. The front drive sprocket and rear idler complete the assembly. The track is of the needle-bearing type with removable rubber pads.
Steering is by conventional steering wheel and through epicyclic-controlled differential to the track sprockets, being actuated by hydraulic brake bands.
Power is furnished by a Maybach V-12 over-head valve, liquid-cooled, HL 85 TUKRM gasoline engine, rated at 185 horsepower. Ignition is the conventional 12-volt Bosch magneto located behind the carburetors. All ignition wires are carried in a flexible aluminum conduit to the side of the engine.
The transmission provides four speeds forward, one reverse, with high and low range.
This vehicle is equipped with an inertia starter and a cable winch with a lifting power of 5.5 tons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | | 13 tons |
| Length | | 24 ft. |
| Width | | 8 ft., 2 1/2 ins. |
| Height | | 9 ft., 2 ins. |
| Ground clearance | | 16 ins. |
| Tread centers | | 6 ft., 3 ins. (wheels, 6 ft., 9 ins.) |
| Ground contact | | 8 ft., 3 ins. |
| Width of track | | 15.7 ins. |
| Track links | | 55 |
| Pitch of track | | 8 ins. |
| Fording depth | | 25 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads | | 155 miles |
| Cross-country | | 62 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads | | 30 m.p.h. (est.) |
| Cross-country | | 18 m.p.h. (est.) |
| Armor |
| Front plate | | None |
| Sides | | None |
| Armament |
| Ammunition (rds.) |
| Engine | | Maybach HL 85 TURRM, 185 hp. |
| Transmission | | 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering | | 15° and over—Epicyclic controlled differential |
| Crew | | 11 |
German: p. 55
Published on
May 28, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: schwerer Raupenschlepper (Praga T 9).
English designation: Heavy full-tracked prime mover.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight | | 10,100 kg | | 22,260 lb. |
| Gross weight | | 11,600 kg | | 25,566 lb. |
| Length (overall) | | 5,600 mm | | 18 ft., 4 ins. |
| Width (overall) | | 2,450 mm | | 8 ft. |
| Height (overall) | | 2,540 mm | | 8 ft., 4 ins. |
| Ground clearance | | 340 mm | | 13 ins. |
| Tread centers | | 2,070 mm | | 6 ft., 9 ins. |
| Track contact | | 3.2 m | | 126 ins. |
| Track width | | 340 mm | | 13 1/4 ins. |
| Tire size |
| Angle of approach |
| Angle of departure |
| Seating capacity | | | | 8 |
| Fording depth | | 700 mm | | 27 1/4 ins. |
| Climbing ability | | | | 50° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) | | | | 45° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) | | | | 35° |
| Turning radius | | 3 meters | | 9 ft., 10 ins. |
| Trailer load | | 15,000 kg | | 33,060 lb. |
| Lifting power of winch | | 7,500 kg | | 16,530 lb. |
| Engine horsepower | | 140 c-v | | 130 hp |
| Piston displacement | | 14,230 cu cm | | 854 cu. ins. |
| Fuel tank capacity | | 250 liters | | 66 gal. |
| Highway fuel consumption | | | | 1.49 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain fuel consumption | | | | 1.18 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.59
Published on
March 14, 2010 in
German.
The German full track truck has recently appeared on the battlefield as a supply vehicle and prime mover. Basically it is a tracked version of the Steyr
1½-ton truck. Designed to operate in mud and soft terrain, it has a tractive effort in first gear of 6,700 pounds, and carries a load of 3,360 pounds. This truck averages 3 to 5.5 miles per gallon of fuel.
The chassis is of rectangular form and welded construction and supports a forward-mounted, pressed-steel driving cab behind which is mounted a wooden truck body. A spring-loaded pintle is fitted at the rear and towing hooks in front.
The V-8 air-cooled gasoline engine made by Steyr develops about 70 hp. at 2,500 r.p.m. and is mounted in the floor of the driving cab. The drive is taken through a single plate clutch built on the flywheel to the transmission which has four silent forward gears and one reverse. There is a differential with a lock incorporated at the rear, and a reduction gear to the rear sprockets.
The suspension consists of four large pressed-steel disk wheels on each side which return the track. They are mounted in pairs and attached to a common even lever at each side and joined in the center by a cross member. A quarter elliptic spring anchored at each corner of the chassis is attached one to each end of the two common even levers. Steering is accomplished through upright steering levers to four hydraulic brakes on the sprockets and idlers.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
| 7,728 lb. (unladen) |
| Length |
| 14 ft., 6 ins. |
| Width |
| 6 ft., 6 ins. |
| Height |
| 8 ft., 6 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
| 22 ins. |
| Tread centers |
| |
| Ground contact |
| |
| Width of track |
| 13 ins. (with snow plates, 24 ins.) |
| Track links |
| |
| Pitch of track |
| |
| Fording depth |
| 34 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| |
| Roads |
| 155 miles (est.) |
| Cross-country |
| |
| Speed |
| |
| Roads |
| 11 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
| 11 m.p.h. |
| Armor |
| |
| Front plate |
| |
| Sides |
| |
| Armament |
| |
| Ammunition (rds.) |
| |
| Engine |
| Steyr air-cooled 70 hp. |
| Transmission |
| 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse |
| Steering |
| Steering levers to hydraulic brakes |
| Crew |
| 2 |
German: p. 57
Published on
January 16, 2010 in
Japanese.
This is an armored, self-propelled crane designed to retrieve damaged A.F.V.’s up to a weight of about 12 tons. The manufacturing date of one recovered specimen is given as 1941. The crane is mounted towards the rear of the chassis on a platform traversing through 360° on an electrically powered turntable. The crane is prowered by the main engine through a drive shaft from the transmission to a gear box and thence through another box to the cable drums. The crane is controlled by three hand levers and three foot control clutches. When not in use, the boom which has a total length of 18 ft., 2 ins., rests on the top of the drive compartment and is held in place by two screw clamps. The conventional Japanese type of suspension is used. Four bell cranks are resisted by four armored compression springs per side. Eight-and-one-half-inch dual steel bogie wheels per side are mounted four inches apart and paired to each bogie. An 18 13/16-inch diameter double-tooth front drive sprocket, a rear idler, two 10 3/4-inch diameter rubber-covered return rollers, and the center guide steel track complete the suspension.
The driver’s compartment measures 45 1/2 x 59 inches, and is fitted with a door on the right side. The 6-cylinder, in-line, air-cooled, Ikegai gasoline engine delivers 60 horsepower. The steering system is of the clutch brake principle, a separate spring-loaded clutch being fitted to each track. Two pressed steel fuel tanks are located at the right rear of the hull; an additional one is utilized as the driver’s seat. They have a combined estimated capacity of 40 gallons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
| 8 1/4 tons |
| Trailer load capacity |
| Length |
| 14 ft., 4 1/2 ins. |
| Width |
| 6 ft., 7 ins. |
| Height (to top of vehicle) |
| 5 ft., 3 ins. |
| (to top of jib) |
| 6 ft., 9 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
| 11 ins. |
| Tread centers |
| Ground contact |
| 11 ft., 4 ins. |
| Track width |
| 9 3/4 ins. |
| Track links |
| Fuel tank |
| 40 gals. (est.) |
| Fuel consumption |
| Fording depth |
| Speed |
| 21 m.p.h. |
| Engine |
| Ikegai, gasoline, 6-cylinder, in-line, air-cooled, 60 hp. |
| Transmission |
| Steering |
| Clutch brake |
| Crew |
| 2 |
| Armor |
| Front |
| 1/4 in. |
| Sides |
| 5/16 in. |
| Length of cable drums |
| 10 1/4 ins. |
| Diameter of cable drums |
| 10 1/2 ins. |
| Diameter of cables |
| 3/4 in. (approx.) |
| Overall length of boom |
| 18 ft., 2 ins. |
Japanese: p. 18.5 (August 1, 1945)
Published on
January 16, 2010 in
Japanese.
This vehicle, in addition to its function as a prime mover and wrecker, may have been used as a tank recovery vehicle. It has a total seating capacity of thirteen men. Two front booms are provided, and a removable boom at the rear. The latter can be attached in such a manner as to act as a brace for the vehicle. The front booms, which are traversed by gears, are moved and operated independently by two different operators. There is a large towing winch behind the driver’s seat, and two smaller winches near the front end.
The prime mover/wrecker has been derived in part from components of the Japanese Medium Tank. There are five bogies on each side, four of which are mounted in pairs. Each pair connects to a coil spring, and the front bogie wheel is independently sprung by a separate coil spring. The drive sprocket is smaller than that employed in the Medium Tank.
The vehicle is powered by a 6-cylinder, valve-in-head, air-cooled Diesel engine located in the rear. The engine head is made of aluminum. There are two fuel tanks which have a capacity of thirty gallons each. The clutch, a single plate type, is housed in an aluminum clutch housing. The transmission provides four speeds forward and one in reverse. The power takeoff of the winches is from the transmission. The final drive system is quite unusual in that there are two separate drive shafts, and each track is driven by an independent final drive mechanism. Removable track grousers are supplied for use in difficult terrain.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
| Trailer load capacity |
| Winch capacity |
| Length (overall) |
|
20 ft., 8 ins. |
| Length (less arms) |
|
17 ft. |
| Width |
|
7 ft., 5 1/2 ins. |
| Height |
|
7 ft., 11 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
16 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
6 ft., 4 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
9 ft., 11 ins. |
| Track width |
|
12 ins. |
| Track links |
| Fuel tanks |
|
2—30 gals. each |
| Fuel consumption |
| Fording depth |
| Speed |
| Engine |
|
6 cyl. valve in head, air-cooled Diesel |
| Bore and stroke |
|
5.5 ins. x 6.5 ins. |
| Horsepower |
| Ignition |
| Battery |
|
2—12 v. |
| Transmission |
|
4 speeds forward, 1 reverse |
| Steering |
| Crew |
Japanese: p. 18.2 (April 1, 1945)
Published on
January 16, 2010 in
Japanese.
The chassis of this Japanese armored prime mover incorporates the better design features of the tankette development shown on pages one to three. This vehicle is an important link in the chain of Japanese transportation of personnel and supply in the large mainland areas. Its construction proves that the Japanese attach considerable importance to the interchange and utilization of standard tank component parts on combat vehicles for greater simplification of their supply problem.
The hull provides for a layout of the engine and power train on the right, while the driver’s compartment is located on the left side. A large load and stowage compartment at the rear extends over the tracks. Tubular bows are raised for protective covering and camouflage nets. Double doors open at the rear, below which a towing pintle is attached. There is no main armament; however, there is an observation turret built in the roof of the crew compartment behind the driver. Speaking tubes with ear phones are used for crew communication. Four hinged flap-covered openings provide additional vision for the crew and allow employment of small arms weapons.
The power train in this vehicle is made up of the engine, four-speed and reverse transmission, controlled differential with steering brakes and a final drive single reduction gear. The engine is a four-cylinder in-line diesel with Bosch type automatic fuel injection. A 12-volt ignition system is also provided with spark plugs located in the fuel injection ports. The electrical system utilizes parts standard and interchangeable with other vehicles. Two fuel tanks hold 38 gallons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | |
5 tons |
| Length | |
12 ft., 8 ins. |
| Width | |
6 ft., 4 ins. |
| Height | |
5 ft., 2 ins. |
| Ground clearance | |
14 ins. |
| Tread centers |
| Ground contact | |
124 ins. |
| Width of track | |
8 ins. |
| Pitch of track | |
3 ins. |
| Track links | |
88 |
| Fording depth | |
31 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
| Cross-country |
| Speed |
| Roads | |
28 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
| Armor |
| Front plate | |
6 mm |
| Sides | |
12 mm |
| Floor | |
12 mm |
| Armament | |
Small arms weapons |
| Ammunition (Rds.) | |
Unknown |
| Engine | |
4-cylinder air-cooled OHV Diesel |
| Transmission | |
4 speeds forward; 1 reverse |
| Steering | |
Controlled differential |
| Crew | |
2 |
Japanese: p. 18.1
Published on
January 16, 2010 in
Japanese.
This prime mover makes use of the same chassis as the Model 95A, the only difference being its accommodation of a 6-cylinder, in-line, water-cooled, valve-in-head Diesel engine. The cylinder diameter is 140 mm, the piston stroke 190 mm, and compression ratio 15.5:1. The normal horsepower is rated at 145 at 1,300 r.p.m. Maximum hp. is 165. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. There is a 24-v., 300-w. capacity charging generator, two 12-v., 80 amp.-hr. batteries, and two 24-v., 6-hp. electric starting motors.
Details are lacking on the reduction gear, which has a ratio of 2.92:1. The steering system is of the clutch brake type assisted on short turns by hand- and foot-operated control brakes, which include a locking feature. The transmission is said to be synchromesh with 4 speeds forward and 1 reverse. The maximum speedis 8.68 m.p.h. A gear-type forced-feed system is used for distributing lubricating oil in the crankcase. An oil pressure gage and oil-level stick are also fitted. Diesel oil fuel is supplied from a total storage capacity of 68 gals. Forty-four liters (11.6 gals.) of water are circulated from the radiator to the engine block with the normal type pump. This vehicle is said to be capable of ascending a 15° grade while towing a 14-ton load, or a 7 1/2° grade pulling a 32-ton load. The winch capacity is 11 tons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
| 15 tons |
| Trailer load capacity |
| 32 tons |
| Winch capacity |
| 11.25 tons |
| Length |
| 16 ft. |
| Width |
| 7 ft., 6 ins. |
| Height |
| 9 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
| 1 ft. |
| Tread centers |
| 5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Ground contact |
| 10 ft., 4 ins. |
| Track width |
| 16 1/2 ins. |
| Track links |
| Fuel tank |
| 68 gals. |
| Fuel consumption |
| Fording depth |
| Speed |
| 8.6 m.p.h. |
| Engine |
| 6-cyl., water-cooled, Diesel |
| Bore and stroke |
| 140 mm x 190 mm—5.51 ins. x 7.48 ins. |
| Horsepower |
| 145 at 1,300 r.p.m. |
| Ignition |
| Diesel |
| Battery |
| 2 12-v., 80 amp./hr. |
| Transmission |
| Synchromesh—4 speeds forward, 1 reverse |
| Steering |
| Clutch brake |
| Crew |
Japanese: p. 18 (May 1, 1945)
Published on
January 10, 2010 in
Japanese.
This vehicle is powered by a 6-cylinder, in-line, water-cooled gasoline engine with a cylinder bore of 135 mm and piston stroke of 150 mm and a compression ratio of 5.1:1. Normal horsepower is 130 at 1,300 r.p.m.; maximum horsepower, 160 at 1,900 r.p.m. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Ignition for the vehicle is distributed by a high-tension type magneto. The electrical system includes charging generator; two 12-v., 80 amp.-hr. batteries, and a 24-v. electric starting motor of 8-hp. capacity.
The final drive has a reduction ratio of 2.93:1. A dry multiple plate clutch is used. Both foot- and hand-operated brakes are employed and the vehicle is steered by the clutch brake principle and is said to utilize a locking feature of the control brakes. The transmission is of the synchromesh type with 4 speeds forward and 1 reverse.
Lubricating oil is distributed by gear-type force-feed system through an oil-pressure regulator. The oil-pressure gage registers 29-44 lb. and an oil-level stick is used for checking the crankcase, which has a capacity of 5 3/4 gals. It has been stated that the fuel feed equipment includes a fuel pump between the carburetor and storage tank and that the heavy-duty type of fuel is forced fed to a NIPPON B 45 model carburetor.
There are two models of fuel storage tanks manufactured for this vehicle—one is the Mitsubishi type with main tank holding 70 gals. and an auxiliary holding 43 gals., and the other is the NIIGATA type main tank holding 50 gals. and an auxiliary tank holding 38 gals. Fuel consumption is stated to be 7.5 gals. per hour. The radiator holds 11 gals., circulated by a pump to the engine block. The grade-ascending ability of this prime mover is quoted as 14 tons up a 15° incline, or 32 tons on a 7 1/2° incline. The winch capacity is 11 tons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
14.3 tons |
| Trailer load capacity |
|
32 tons |
| Winch capacity |
|
11.25 tons |
| Length |
|
16 ft. |
| Width |
|
7 ft., 6 ins. |
| Height |
|
9 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
1 ft. |
| Tread centers |
|
5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
9 ft., 9 ins. |
| Track width |
|
16 1/2 ins. |
| Track links |
| Fuel tank |
|
Main, 70 gals.; aux., 43 gals. |
| Fuel consumption |
|
.83 m.p.g. |
| Fording depth |
| Speed |
|
6.2 m.p.h. |
| Engine |
|
6-cyl., water-cooled, gasoline |
| Bore and stroke |
|
135 mm x 150 mm—5.31 ins. x 5.91 ins. |
| Horsepower |
|
130 at 1,300 r.p.m. |
| Ignition |
|
High-tension magneto |
| Battery |
|
2 12-v., 80 amp. |
| Transmission |
|
Synchromesh; 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse |
| Steering |
|
Clutch brake |
| Crew |
Japanese: p. 17 (May 1, 1945)
