mcspool Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Like Richard I could not see the red High Speed Tractor behind the Yellow one in Mark's photos in post 19 as an M6. It is in fact one of four prototype T94 Cargo Tractors which were authorised in late 1956, intended as a very heavy artilery tractor, partly replacing the M8A1 or A2 shown in th other photos. Like the M8 it had a Continental flat six air cooled engine as used in the M41, M42, M75, this time a 525hp AOSI 895-3B and an Allison XTG-500-2 transmission but instead of the Walker Buldog running gear of the M8 it used the suspension and tracks from the M47 tank. The track links are interchangeable with those of HVSS Shermans but with a different centre guide. It was built by Allis Chalmers about 1957 and originaly had the single cab that is still on it, then the engine compartment and then a cargo body taking up the rear half of the length of the vehicle rather like the body in the middle of an M8A1. There was a large winch on outrigers in front of the cab, hence the depressed rectangle in the cab front. Overall length was 24' 11", width 10' 10", hight 10' 5". Weight 72000lbs with a 12000lbs load. All this from Fred Crismon's 'US Military Tracked Vehicles' and R.P.Hunnicutt's 'Bradley'. Hate to think what the fuel consumption was when towing ! Please note that the M6 used its own unique design of HVSS and track that was not interchangeable with Sherman or anything else. They fitted a set to a Sherman as an early experiment in improving its suspension but it was not strong enough and could not be fitted with dampers. The M6 track was very unusual as it had a triple sprocket, the centre one driving onto the centre connectors which also carried two guide horns as well. Hope this helps. David, Thanks for posting this information. Regards, Hanno PS: see http://www.pbase.com/kees_s/image/83674555 and http://www.pbase.com/kees_s/image/83674554 for pictures of the M6 at Overloon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Further to my comments on Sherman HVSS track and M6 High Speed Tractors it seems that the M6s on rubber chevron track DO indeed use the same track links as HVSS Sherman, M47 etc but with a unique box shaped centre guide similar to the one used by Shermans but rather wider as the M6 has a wider gap between the inner and outer bogie wheels. As these tracks are marginally wider than the original M6 steel chevron tracks a special sprocket hub is required which also carries only two sprocket rings (instead of three of the original design) and is slightly more dished on its outside face than the original. I can find no photos of M6 HSTs on rubber chevron tracks in service so I would guess that they were only fitted for peacetime use in USA and Germany when it became unacceptable to destroy the roads with steel track. Also does anyone know which countries received M8 series High Speed Tractors other than Japan and are there any still in Europe that have not been turned into drilling rigs etc.? David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 [ATTACH=CONFIG]39728[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39734[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39735[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39736[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39724[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39725[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39726[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39727[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39732[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39731[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39730[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39729[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]39733[/ATTACH] Hi, I have been looking for an M6 myself. The best I have been offered is in the USA - see pictures. He also had the Walker Bulldog based HST which I have also attached the pictures of. Unfortunately I was only sent one picture of the M6. Does anyone know if the tracks were just used on the M6? Regards, Mark Akron, Ohio ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 You might want to have a cup of teat to hand as you scroll through the 20 pages of this thread: http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?17042-Alaskan-Logging-Equipment-Left-to-Rust Admittedly a lot of it isn't military, but a chunk of it is. I spotted some heavy tracked carriers under the big tower logging units, a couple of Sherman-type drive ends, and an M15A1 tan transporter trailer that you normally see behind a Dragon Wagon hooked to the back of a Mack and left sitting in the weeds. Alaska with some spanners, a battery, and some Plus Gas, anyone? Gordon Did I mention the steam locomotives too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 (edited) You might want to have a cup of teat to hand as you scroll through the 20 pages of this thread: http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?17042-Alaskan-Logging-Equipment-Left-to-Rust Hey! That's my truck! Edited February 2, 2011 by mcspool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Great link Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 So it is Hanno, I wondered where your lot had gone. Did you spot the Power Wagon parked next to it in another, similar photo? I'd think a lot of those trucks were military-derived if not actually military in origin too. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 for anyone interested theres a good picture book on high speed tractors, it covers M2 M4 M5 M6 and M8, and theres some good pictures of M6s on the production line. Details as follows: High Speed Tractor: A Visual History of the US Armys Tracked Artillery Prime Movers Authors: David Doyle and Pat Stansell ISBN: 0-9773781-0-1 Enjoy, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 So it is Hanno, I wondered where your lot had gone. Did you spot the Power Wagon parked next to it in another, similar photo? I'd think a lot of those trucks were military-derived if not actually military in origin too. No, I have not seen it. Did come across this pic of Sherman final drive housings. As these have VVSS sprockets they must be there for spares, as all the yarders using Sherman components have HVSS tracks. Oh no, should not have shown this, now Eddy has run off to Alaska Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Marriott Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 High Speed Tractor: A Visual History of the US Armys Tracked Artillery Prime Movers Authors: David Doyle and Pat Stansell ISBN: 0-9773781-0-1 Mark this is a great book with loads of HST pictures and guess what it also covers the M2 Cletrac!!! It shows some early production photo's of the Cletrac with the aircraft energiser fitted! I knew I had seen pictures of it fitted to an M2 somewhere. Regards Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 mcspool Did come across this pic of Sherman final drive housings. As these have VVSS sprockets they must be there for spares, Hi Hanno, There are/were VVSS equiped yarders as in the UK Channel 5 series on the Oregon lumber industry from around 2008- I'm surprised none were shown in the 20 odd pages of the link- there must have been some around- the HVSS yarders were I think from a Canadian company that also built large dozer using the Sherman HVSS suspension components on a new build chassis which would probably make the armoured nose of a sherman unnecessary. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 (edited) Found a couple of photos tucked away in a file the first one is a yarder probably the same as in the link This in an ex M4A2 HVSS chassis components made into a drill carrier -can't find the plough. But unlike the Oregon tank chassis VVSS Yarder both these are new build apart from the suspension comonents Steve Edited February 7, 2011 by steveo578 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 No, I have not seen it. Did come across this pic of Sherman final drive housings. As these have VVSS sprockets they must be there for spares, as all the yarders using Sherman components have HVSS tracks. [ATTACH=CONFIG]41044[/ATTACH] Hanno look at the steps on the front and on the left side , these front ends are from M10/ Achilles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hanno look at the steps on the front and on the left side , these front ends are from M10/ Achilles Maurice, indeed, thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 (edited) There are/were VVSS equiped yarders as in the UK Channel 5 series on the Oregon lumber industry from around 2008- I'm surprised none were shown in the 20 odd pages of the link- there must have been some around- the HVSS yarders were I think from a Canadian company that also built large dozer using the Sherman HVSS suspension components on a new build chassis which would probably make the armoured nose of a sherman unnecessary. Hi Steve, My "Shermans into ploughshares" webpage features a picture of a VVSS-based drill too. As you say, the photos featured in the link only show HVSS-based vehicles, hence my remark about spare parts. If the logging vehicle used the gearbox and final drives off a Sherman (or M10, etc.) it was necessary to use the final drive housing in the new-build chassis. Most often they are fitted with extensions to compensate for the increased width. The armoured housing is needed for alignment of the gearbox, cletrac controlled differential steering and final drives. Possibly some manufacturers opted for electric / hydraulic drive, in that case the final drive housing could be deleted. Hanno Edited February 8, 2011 by mcspool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 But unlike the Oregon tank chassis VVSS Yarder both these are new build apart from the suspension comonents And even those were upgraded by the use of coil springs instead of the original volute springs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pc1959 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 The Heavy Equipment forum thread is a great find, there is a link to a Youtube Channel called skadill with videos of "Finning tank drills" operating. I'm completley new to this but there look to be a few Sherman bits (bogies?) in this one? http://www.youtube.com/user/skadill#p/u/26/og8sZBi_GbQ With a cold start and close up of the undercarriage here http://www.youtube.com/user/skadill#p/u/13/hqJAJEgBbFo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/user/skadill#p/u/3/oFwX5AU6-Vc there is an M6 hst at the end of the vancouver island log photos video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 Some pics of M6s i found on the net Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 Found another good picture, i think it featured in Pat Wares Warehouse Datafile book on the Diamond T 980/981 but it was very small in the book. Managed to find a bigger one on the net. Would this not be an awesome rig to hit the show circuit with? Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 Sam Winer's M6 in its current state Wish i had a few quid to save her. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepmb Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Dear all, I don't know if you had the opportunity to see this video (from 1.11 minute) Hoping this may help discussion. Best Regards, Luigi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 Thanks for reigniting my thread Luigi. I'm sure there must be more of these wonderful beasts out there. I presume that one is somewhere in USA? That's about 5 I know of now in various states. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepmb Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Dear Richard, I assume this "beast" could be in a US State, like Oregon, where there are a large number of lumber industries and lumberjacks; (I saw a lumberjack reality show on Discovery Channel last year located in Oregon.... :angel: ) Best Regards, Luigi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Oh I thought for some reason it was your video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.