using tanks for civilian purposes( pic's)

gbs · Jan 29, 2012

earlier post was asking about using tanks for tractors, here's a couple of photo's of them for construction equip. all M-4's one with double booms is powered by a 4-71 Detroit,other 2 look alike but are 2 different machines both were powered by gas 391 industrial fords if i remember the cid right all with 5 speed transmissions and 2 speed transfer cases between engine and tank trans,if i can locate them i have several photo's of different equip mounted on them,we also ran a small one that was called a spat it used a 327 with a 350 trans to power it,it was claimed on decent ground it would run excess of 40 mph never had the nerve to try it, was afraid of what might happen when trying to steer it

oliverlover982 · Jan 29, 2012

Those are really cool pictures my fathers been a lineman for many years and has told me about quiet a few old tanks that were converted for use on building new lines across the country. Thanks for sharing!!

gtractorfan · Jan 29, 2012

Somewhere in our shoeboxes of old pictures I have one I took in the mid 1960's when power line towers were erected through dad's farm. There was a huge auger for making holes for the cement under the tower legs mounted on the bottom part of an M4. Might have to look for the picture, the tank's wading through mud.

MSD · Jan 29, 2012

Found this site awhile back. Has a lot of good stuff on it, railroads, tanks, engines, etc.
Where have all the Shermans gone.

CenTex Farmall · Jan 29, 2012

On that discovery channel show about the loggers, one of the teams has a "yarder" that is built on a tank chassis.

cannonball · Jan 30, 2012

Check out another use
Untitled URL Link

Ultradog MN · Jan 30, 2012

This is my favorite use.
Macho Skeet Shooting

fixerupper · Jan 30, 2012

The M-4's came out with a torque converter in front, or behind, a three speed transaxle with a 817 cube Waukesha inline six for power. The way it was set up almost any engine could be dropped in to replace the thirsty Waukesha. The torque converter was handy, but it would eventually get worn and slip too much. The torque converter is a separate unit between the engine and tranny and it can be removed without taking anything else apart so I suppose the machine could be run with the engine direct connected to the tranny.

I was told a power line construction company in Minnesota used M-4's. Maybe this is the one. We're still looking for the shell box that goes on the back and I was informed this Minnesota company used M-4's and they might possibly be able to help. Jim

fixerupper · Jan 30, 2012

As far as speed goes, I got the M-4 I restored up to 32 MPH on a downhill and I felt perfectly safe and stable. The track did shake the vehicle like there's no tomorrow. Jim

mkirsch · Jan 30, 2012

Pihl Logging on the Axe Men show has a yarder built on a WWII Sherman tank chassis.

Unfortunately, the Sherman drivetrain was barely adequate for the weight of the tank turret. The winches and tower are much heavier, and these conversions are prone to transmission and track failures.

I guess there was a farmer around where I grew up that bought a surplus tank and tried to use it like a crawler tractor back in the '50s. It sucked down every drop of gasoline he had on the farm in about 2 rounds with the plow, so it didn't stay around long.

smallercrawler · Jan 30, 2012

gbs-thanks for pix and comments.

jackinok · Jan 30, 2012

years ago when i was working on a line crew,we had one that had a wire pulling setup on it.Just a big winch basicaly with a mile and a half or so of heavy rope.We used it out in arizona until we finished that job then the company took the pulling setup off and sold it because it cost to much to haul.Pretty neat rig,would go every where. Must have been a lot of them converted to different uses.That was in the early seventies,so its been a while,but as i recall it had a ford engine in it.Seems like it was a 520 cu inch or some huge number.I know it would suck down more fuel than you wanted to haul gas cans for!

using tanks for civilian purposes( pic's)

gbs

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oliverlover982

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gtractorfan

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MSD

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CenTex Farmall

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cannonball

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Ultradog MN

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fixerupper

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fixerupper

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mkirsch

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smallercrawler

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jackinok

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