Diamond T tractors

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

May I ask for some guidance please? Am I right in saying that the Canadian and British 40-ton and 30-ton Tractors were all Models 980 or 981? The 40-tonners had a ballast box on the back and pulled the 24-wheeler Rogers trailers but there was also the semi-trailer arrangement for 30-ton Shelvoke & Drewry trailers. I have a photo from 1942ish showing the Trailmobile 20-ton semi-trailers which according to Canadian Military Vehicle Series : Europe WW2 P.146 was for attachment to Federal tractors. However the photos show DTs being used to tow these semi-trailers, so presumably the same Tractors could be used for either 20-ton or 30-ton semi-trailers? So far as I can see Candian order Diamond T 980 trucks were serial numbers # 9801709 to # 9802385. under contract numbers CDLV-332, CDLV-464, CDLV-493, and CDLV-509. The workshop manual is dated July 1942. Known US contract is W-938-QM-11594 with the manual dated October 1942, covering registrations USA 526859 to USA 529258

Please excuse my ignorance everyone but I know nothing about Diamond T, White, REO, Federal, Mack, Studebaker, FWD, save what I have gleaned from Wheels & Tracks and Bart Vanderveen's book. I can however help on GMC as I have a copy of the Parts Manual that lists all US military models.

I should add that the same series of photos show Canadian-order 970A G/S and Workshop trucks, and 15-cwt Dodge MCP units, plus some Ford F60L # 13 Cabs.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I have invested in two books on Diamond T 980/981 trucks, and I wondered whether anyone had read them?The first is by Pat Ware of Warehouse Publications, though the other has not arrived yet. I have found some ineformation from the DND papers from late 1941 which refers to the orders for a few Federal and Diamond T tractors. This is an extract from the wordage about two manuals, one Canadian and one US that a guy has for sale:

"The original maintenance workshop manual for the 6x4 transporter model 980 from the Diamond T motor car co. Details - covers serial numbers 9801709 to 9802385. a very comprehensive workshop manual covers contract numbers Canadian CD LV332, CD LV464, CD LV493, CD LV509. July 1942. form 980-3. This is an A4 size manual, illustrated throughout.C649-DT1.


This is the original maintenance workshop manual for the 6x4 transporter model 980 from the diamond T motor car co.
Details - a very comprehensive workshop manual covers USA registration numbers 526859 thru 529258. October 1942. TM-10-1255 form 980-5. This is an A4 size manual, there are 168 pages, illustrated throughout.contract number W-938-QM-11594. Inside front cover is printed a message from the war department, washington, july 6 1942 {sic.}."

Note the Canadian contracts and the serial numbers.

Excuse my ignoarance but apart from the 975/A what other DTs did the Canadians use? 968?

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Hi David
I have the Parts manuals listed for the 980-981 and the 968A-972A
968A Cargo
969A Wrecker
970A Ponton\
972 Dump
TM 9-811 is the maintenance and service manual...

#44: 150 pages
DT 980-01
DIAMOND T MOTOR CAR CO. PARTS LIST 6x4 Transporter (June '42) Model 980. Illustrated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#45: 167 pages
969B-01
DIAMOND T MOTOR CAR CO. PARTS LIST 4-Ton 6x6 (June '42). Models 969B, 975 and 975A. Illustrated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#45A: 400+pages
TM 9-811
DIAMOND T Maintenance and Operations, Models 968A,969A,970A,972. 25 Jan.'44


There is a Diamond T wrecker at Vimy and a machinery van..
Wish I had a big back yard.........

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Alex do the manuals have serial numbers AND CONTRACT [CDLV] NUMBERS, and pix in them please? I have just had delivered the second book DIAMON T TYPE 980/981 by Les Freathy and Robin Pearson...wow what a coffee table heavyweight! However you need both books plus W & T to do the history justice.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Hi David..
I should of added before..
Models 969A,969B,975 ,975A..
CDLV.#587
969A..Ser#969A0555
969B0205 to 969B0606
9750001 to9750307
975A0001 To 975A0811

Model 980.
CDLV Canadian 332,464,493,509.
Ser.#'s 9801709 to 9802385..

Both Manuals June of '42..

Hope this helps..

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

David
I have an early Parts Price list on the 968,969 and 970....
Contract # 's
W-398-QM-8926
W-398-QM-9568
Registration #'s
W-457477 To W-459000
W-003115 To W-003621
Ser#'s
968001 to 9681380
969001 to 9690507
9700001 To 9700144

Corrected to Dec.11,1941.....(4 days after Pearl Harbour)
Mr. Manuals

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Great, thanks for the input.