What is the model of this tractor or moto tug?

[gary1954]

Taigh,
I hope that mechanic WASN'T servicing the P-47 strut with compressed air and was using a nitrogen bottle, otherwise, it'll make a very cool mailbox mounting post. [/quote]

I thought the same thing

[carlisle1926]

For a while I had two M5 High Speed tractors that use the same tracks and wheels as a Stuart tank. I had the fool idea of removing all of the tractor stuff and converting it into a tank. The M5 tractors were made by International Harvester with huge Waukesha inline six engines. I've never seen one at full rev, but I have heard they can do 60--but that might be total bull. Brent Mullins in Bryan TX has a restored M5 HST and it sounds frightening when started up. He also has a few Sherman and Stuart tanks to complete the set.

Last edited by carlisle1926 on Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[catch 22]

And if you want a model of it, one comes with Monogram's 1/48 B-24...

Yes, I already checked the B-24J with the cletrac in black plastic. I really might need some of them in different scales one day...

The third one is not a Cletrac. It looks like a small dozer.

If i had to guess, it looks like an Allis Chalmers WD-7 as a prime mover without a blade.

You probably mean the HD-7? Could this be the same one, as on the photo below:

[Dave Downs]

[quote="gary1954
Dave, have you ventured back to that area to see if any of these are sitting off to the side doing a slow rot, could be a great find. Tractors are kinda difficult to steal in the night (reference to Meth-heads and should not be confused with the law abiding citizens of WIX), so one (or 2) might just be around. never hurts to check...provided the farm is still there naturally.[/quote]

2 of the 3 still survive, I took pictures of them last year and would post a picture but I can't access Photobucket today to get the [img] codes.....

They are in 'clean' outside storage on the same farm where I operated them......but doubt they could be aquired by any means. The second generation now owns them, he still has the 1952 Brockway tractor truck I drove in '61......

[The Inspector]

Interesting to note they used probably Oak blocks as cleats that wouldn't slip on a gunky tapered ramp.

[Taigh Ramey]

The yellow disc on the front is a placard with what was called the bridge weight. 11 means 11 tons! these tractors were no light weights.

Taigh,
...Small pointer on your bridge classification info. The bridge placard is a number assigned based on class of bridge IAW the US Army Engineer bridge classification system. The bridge class is a number system calculated using methods of construction and condition of the bridge. The bridge is then given this classification and it is posted prominently on the bridge. The vehicle classification is based on weight, wheelbase, # of tires, and what that means in your photo is that the vehicle can safely cross any bridge with a number class of 11 or above. These plates went on every vehicle in WWII, including trailers. But they are not the weight of the vehicle.

Thanks for straightening me out. I have never come across the official reference information but have been going on what I've read and heard from others over the years. I'd like to get a copy of the manual you have referenced as it would be good for the library.

About servicing the struts with compressed air; it was a common practice and if I'm not mistaken it still is. I know nitrogen is the preferred gas to use primarily because its dry whereas compressed air will likely introduce moisture. I have 4 different air compressors used for struts. The first is just like a bicycle pump except shop air is used on the inlet side instead of ambient air. Hook up shop air and pump on the T handle until you achieve the desired strut height or you pass out which ever occurs first.

The second is a portable Aerol pump that uses the same shop air input principle but instead of the armstrong method the piston cycles back and forth pneumaticly. This type of pump actually came on the early Cletracs that used a two stage compressor so the Aerol pump would serve as the third stage. The later Cletracs had a three stage compressor driven off a PTO which is the third type we have.

The fourth is a bit more modern and it came from Travis AFB where it was used for servicing C-5 struts. The guys in the squadron maintenance said they called it a high pack. It is a trailer mounted and gas powered unit that puts out 4000 or so psi at 7cfm. It has a serious air separator and filter so you can keep the inside of he struts water free. Cheaper and more readily available than using than a lot of nitrogen I suppose.

The Cletrac in the P-47 shot has a field mod oxygen tank mounted on the right side for servicing the low pressure oxygen bottles in the aircraft . On the left is a similar factory installed air bottle that acts as the receiver for the high pressure compressor. It is this system that i believe he is using to service the struts.

I think that the explosion hazard with oil is because of a higher oxygen concentration than is found with normal air. One extreme example is the flame thrower also used high pressure compressed air to propel many different types of flammable liquid. You cold use nitrogen but I think oxygen in your flame thrower might be frowned upon. I guess you could try it once anyway

[Dave Downs]

I just had to bring this topic back to life so I could add Mark's photo showing the Cletrac towing a trailer tanker