utt61 Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 I was looking at a rather nice Matador timber tractor last night and noticed that the front axle had a modification - a continuous web was welded the full width of the axle to strengthen the casing, from swivel to swivel and under the diff. It was a very professional job, the web was flat but with a beaded lower edge, and it wasn't quite vertical - it sloped forwards slightly. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera so no pictures are available, and I didn't note any of the serial numbers etc off the vehicle. I have never seen a Mat axle quite like it. It looked to be too good a job not to be original, and the owner had been told that it indicated that the Mat may have started life as an air-portable vehicle. Can anyone tell me more? Anyone seen anything like it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 Are you sure it was a fabricated job? There was a heavy cast unit identical to this - I was told they were for the heavy armoured units (command post). Have a photo somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 Here you go. I'm 95% certain it was cast - I no longer have it so cannot check! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 Cast Front axle, fitteed to a number of contracts, not all of them ACV's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utt61 Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 That is exactly what it was, many thanks! I mistook it for being welded because it wasn't too easy to see (being in the mud in the woods and dusk) and the radius along the 'join' between the tube and the flange looked a bit like a fillet weld (at least that is my excuse and I'll stick to it). Being cast also explains the 'bead' along the edge. So by the sound of it this was really just a heavy-duty alternative axle tube. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 No more heavy duty than the forged axles. Steel forgings are inherently stronger than castings. The extra web has been added to this axle to bring the strength of the cast axle in line with the forged variant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 The front axle on my mat is of this pattern, and as far as i know its always been an artillery tractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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