Wanted: M113 M548 track link bushes

[Dianaa]

Does anyone know a supplier for the track link bushes for the M113 family of tracked vehicles?

They are similar to a spring bush with a outer metal tube and a centre tube with rubber vulcanised between the inner and outer. The difference is that the hole in the middle is hex.

Did a couple of links today and have identified at least 3 more needing replacement. We are going to need dozens over the next few years just for maintenance purposes.

Diana

[maple_leaf_eh]

The US gubm'nt periodically sells rough terrain trucks and tracked vehicles to small town, county and state wildfire fighting departments. I have seen websites showing what look like converted M548s used as water tankers and logistics vehicles. If there is a clear civilian application for military products, some of the rules of ITARS can be explained.

http://www.wildfirefighters.com/skidgen.html

It can't hurt to ask where they get their parts.

[Dianaa]

About a dozen ex British M548 have been sold to mining companies in Oz as rough terrain transport. There are a couple in the Hunter Valley coal fields in NSW.

The problem is that the US government has recently increased the restrictions under ITAR to include spares for fighting vehicles and the sale of surplus from US Govt inventory. This makes spares for the non fighting vehicle M548 more difficult.

I've also bought other stuff direct from FMC and found them extra expensive.

[Mick Sutherland]

I don't know of a supplier, but they used to be made at the Small Arms Factory at Lithgow. Give someone a buzz there. They might have some details.

[Dianaa]

Originally Posted by Mick Sutherland

I don't know of a supplier, but they used to be made at the Small Arms Factory at Lithgow. Give someone a buzz there. They might have some details.

Thanks Mick, will most certainly follow up on that lead. We have a friend with good contacts into the Museum, perhaps they can extend that into the BAE factory.

[jdmcm]

Dianaa

Try Tecmotive in Ontario Canada, lots of M113 parts. Also SECO in Augusta GA has NOS M113 US style track for sale. In Canada we switched to the German Diehl track on our M113 and M548's. Flanders Tech Supply in Belgium also has track, both US and German and M113 family parts. I Have always found them easy to deal with.

John