M548 Tracked Cargo Carrier

Robin Craig · #1 16-07-12, 02:00

I will give you my 2 cents worth although it is not my forte, equipment of US origins.

Great piece of kit as it is also amphibious. Usually powered by a screaming Detroit 2 stroke diesel.

Based on the venerable M113, essentially a tracked truck.

Will likely become hard to obtain certain running gear components because of restrictions on US military pattern parts unless you have friends in low places.

Bog simple to drive

Worth having around

R

rob love · #2 16-07-12, 02:42

Here is my 2 cents as a guy who has operated and worked on them, and in fact was working and driving one just last week.

They are a neat piece of kit, but since they share the same basic powerpack as a M113, and weigh a while lot less, they seem to tear or shake themselves apart. You sit right above the engine, separated only by a thin seat of aluminum, and a 2" thick cushion, so they are noisy. Add to that the vibration of the track on hard ground, and your fillings will almost fall out of your mouth.

One of the biggest problems I found with them was that the fuel tanks are integral to the belly of the cargo box. If they are left outdoors, water seeps into the tank and accumulates, forever causing problems with the system. Only fix is to remove the covers to the tanks (what seems like several hundred phillips screws) and clean them right out, only to start the process all over again.

The heater is also the same as the M113, but with only the tiny cab to heat, they will cook you out at -30. Fortunately, the previously mentioned fuel problems will soon take care of the heater.

Neat that the one pictured has the hardtop. Here in Canada, all ours had the soft tops. I took the NSN for the hardtop out of the manual and managed to get the only one in inventory from DND. Had to fabricate the glass, but that made for some happy operators in B bty, and envious ones in the rest of the regiment.

All that said, if it were here in Canada, I would likely jump at it. I was using the one at the museum to push/pull around the Honest John 5 ton and it does it with many HP to spare.

maple_leaf_eh · #3 16-07-12, 05:12

Ditto on the foreign military sales restrictions warning. The name I know is ITAR. The Americans attach rules to their equipment for life, and will arbitrarily decide who can own it. Since yours is located in Australia, you are probably going to have to find a buyer in Australia. Don't even think about selling it abroad, you, the company and the Australian foreign affairs department could wind up in big trouble with the US State Department.

lallat · #4 16-07-12, 11:57

Private Message sent.

greg.p · #5 16-07-12, 14:35

PM sent with suggested restoration firm contact details.

cjrasmu · #6 19-07-12, 11:40

Hi All. Thanks for the comments, info and PMs.

Please follow this link to find some more (current) photos.
Some are a bit fuzzy due to rain/snow getting on the camera while taking the photos sorry.

https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B2...FsS3NxUGc/edit

Also, a bit of info from our Fitters assessment.

Off the compliance plate is the following -

Carrier, Cargo, Full Track M548
USA DARCOM FMC Corporation Ordinance Division San Jose California
MFG Serial number GAB00043
NATO # 2350-00-078-4545
MAX Towing load of 14500 lb
Engine Governed to speed 2800 rpm
Max speed Vehicle
First 10 MPH
Second 20 MPH
Third 40 MPH
Gross Weight 28390 lb

It was driven into the yard with all parts functioning.
Original fuel tank at the rear leaked so an Aux tank was fitted later. Fuel line from that are perished and need replacing.
Batteries are flat.
Was not able to start it on the day a few thing to check and replace first.

I would still love to find out where this unit may have served if anyone can help.

lynx42 · #7 20-07-12, 06:33

PM Sent.
Thanks Rick