From: Hutterer, John (MPAU) (john.hutterer@smiths-medical.com)
Date: Thu Oct 13 2005 - 05:43:18 PDT
Everette,
You are right about them being monsters. I drove one back from Fort
McCoy, Wisconsin to Fort Snelling, Minnesota about 30 years ago.
Bobtail, no trailer. Top speed was 42 miles per hour and a bit slower
going up hills. It was a warm summer day and it was like riding inside
of a cement mixer. Loud, hot, and lots of vibration.
Reminds me of a story that the Supply Sergeant in my Army Reserve unit,
at that time, told me. He was a Combat Engineer in Vietnam, and was
driving a 10 ton tractor-trailer, hauling a D7 dozer, from one job site
to another. It was a hot day, as most were in that country, and he had
set the throttle and was standing on the running board, with the drivers
door open, and steering the rig from there. At least that way he caught
some bit of a breeze. He had just climbed back into the drivers seat
when the left front wheel ran over a mine. The explosion blew the wheel
off of the truck, and the wheel took the running board with it, but he
was okay, other than being a little shook up. I think that he said that
the Motor Pool rebuilt the front end of the truck, and it went right
back out on the road. They are one tough, powerful vehicle.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Military Vehicles Mailing List [mailto:mil-veh@mil-veh.org] On
Behalf Of Everette
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 6:27 AM
To: Military Vehicles Mailing List
Subject: Re: [MV] M123A1C info
I have had one for a few years, it is a great truck, a monster to
drive, 5 speed non-syncro transmission, and you need two or three gears
to get through intersection, Army says 42 MPH top speed (from memory)
never had mine over 35 and engine sounds like it is going to come apart.
903 Cummins... wait until you use the rear wheel brakes, --lever on
right side steering column lets you lock rear breaks individually by
side, move leaver one way locks right rear, other way locks left side.
At 115 inches wide it is overwidth, removing outside tires of duals will
not cure overwidth, rear fenders cover tires. fuel consumption about 2
MPG.
But if you want something moved - tie on with BIG chain, 1st gear low
range 50,000 pounds drawbar pull.
you have to drive in every foot for it hunts ditch, men who drove these
in Vietnam say this is only when driving tractor by itself, when trailer
is hooked on the "hunting" stops - they also said it will run just as
fast with tank on trailer as it will empty.
When you drive on highway everyone passes, but even when 18 wheelers
pass you look down on them.
I have been told to never use engine as speed brake, crankshaft will not
stand it, and to be very careful in all wheel drive that if truck has a
weak point it is front axles,
AND MOST IMPORTANT, WHEN TRUCK IS PARKED AND AIR LEAKS OFF IT WILL ROLL
if on incline, unlike most trucks air applies brakes, not like
commercial trucks -- NO AIR NO BRAKES - if you are pull started you
cannot stop until air is built up -- ask my son - we did this - he was
in M35 doing pulling, when M123 hit back of M35 sent it bouncing down
road......
Everette
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen L Dussetschleger" <dussetschleger@juno.com>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 9:40 PM
Subject: [MV] M123A1C info
>
> Bought a 1972 Consolidated Electric Diesel 10 ton tractor. Gotta be
> one of the neatest trucks ever . Runs, drives, still 4 or 3 color (
> didn't really notice) camo, has hardtop, heater, winch on rear,
> spotlight, and one of the biggest ( takes up all the engine
compartment)
> V-8 engines I've seen in awhile. Got a few minor things to do to it,
to
> make it about 95%. Will need more tires & rims to make it 100%.
> SO, the only down side is I have absolutely NO need for this truck.
> Yeah, I know. Keep it just to have it, but then I'd be tempted to
find
> the matching trailer & then drive it ( Its WAY ovesize), etc.
> Anybody know of a market for these things ?
> Steve
>
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