M4 Tractor
Encyclopedia
Design and development
The M4 was based on the chassis and drive train of the obsolescent M2 Light TankM2 Light Tank
The Light Tank M2 was an American pre-World War II light tank that saw combat with the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion on Guadalcanal in 1942, during World War II. Its service with the 1st Tank Battalion during the Pacific War was its only U.S...
. This common practice of re-using old vehicles simplified design, allowed for easy production, and made maintenance in the field easier.
One variant was designed to tow anti-aircraft guns and another for howitzer
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
s. The rear compartment carried the gun crew and other equipment and some later variants included a crane to assist with heavier projectiles.
History
The M4 was manufactured by Allis-ChalmersAllis-Chalmers
The Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. of West Allis, Wisconsin, is an American company known for its past as a manufacturer with diverse interests, perhaps most famous for their bright Persian Orange farm tractors...
of Milwaukee, starting in 1942 and was in U.S. military service until approximately 1960. Under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program, the M4 was supplied to The Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Yugoslavia and Pakistan after World War II ended. In 1965 Indo pak war Pakistan Army uses M-4 Tractor to hull M115 Howtizer to the battlefield of Chamb and then to Lahore front.
Variants
- M4, base model
- M4C, The "C" designation indicates spare ammunition racks configured in the crew compartment.
- M4A1, The "A1" modification designates the wider suspension used for the "duck bill" tracks mirroring the E9 modification on Sherman tanks.
- two types of ammunition boxes were used on all models. a 90-MM box with side "tailgates" to access 90-MM shells pigeon-holed in the sides, and a combination box for 155-MM155 mm Long TomThe 155 mm Gun M1 and M2 , widely known as Long Tom, were 155 millimeter calibre field guns used by the United States armed forces during World War II and Korean War. The Long Tom replaced the Canon de 155 mm GPF in United States service.-Development:Before entering World War I, the United...
/ 240-MM240 mm howitzer M1The 240 mm howitzer M1, popularly nicknamed the "Black Dragon", was a towed howitzer used by the United States Army. The 240 mm M1 was designed to replace the World War I era 240 mm Howitzer M1918 which was based on a 1911 French design and was outdated by World War II.The project to replace...
with a rear tailgate, and hoist.
Surviving artifacts
After the war many types of these tractors were stripped of their military components and used for log skidders, and power line construction.- one at the Marshall Museum http://www.militaryfoto.pl/pojazdy/147-m4-tractor-marshall-museum-w-overloon
- one at grand Prarie Texas http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM661R_M4_Transport_Grand_Prairie_Texas
- one at the Heartland Museum of Military VehiclesHeartland Museum of Military VehiclesThe Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles in Lexington, Nebraska is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and funded by donations and grants....
. - one at the Batey ha-Osef Museum, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Armed Forces Military Museum, Largo Florida, http://www.tdlitwiller.com/Military/The-Armed-Forces-Museum/10541131_vNh9Dk/3/732695321_bYmcM#732695321_bYmcM
See also
- List of U.S. military vehicles by supply catalog designation (G150)
- List of U.S. military vehicles by model number
- M5 TractorM5 TractorThe M5 High-Speed Tractor was an artillery tractor used by the US Army from 1942.-Construction:The M5 is a fully track vehicle designed to tow the 105 mm Howitzer M2, and the 155 mm Long Tom field artillery, and carry the gun crew and ammunition. A winch and roller system allows the M5 to pull...
- M6 TractorM6 TractorThe M6 High-Speed Tractor was an artillery tractor used by the US Army in World War II to tow heavy artillery pieces such as 8 inch Gun M1 and 240 mm Howitzer M1.- See also :* List of U.S. military vehicles by supply catalog designation* List of U.S...