M746 in Moroccan service in 2006.
Source: www.far-maroc.forumpro.fr -
© copyright lies with original owner
The M746 is a heavy equipment transporter of US origin. It was developed in the late 1960's in the joint US-German HET-70 program that was to develop a tank transporter for the MBT-70 program. The MBT-70 program was disolved in 1970. In 1971 Chrysler finished the design and sold it to WardLaFrance for production. Faun finished the HET-70 program in its own way and developed the similar looking, yet very different SLT-50-2.
The M746 is clearly shows its German influence as it differs much from other American heavy equipment transporters. The M746 has an 8x8 chassis with the engine mounted on top of the forward pair of axles. A three man forward control cab is fitted. Two sets of winches and the fifth wheel are located above the rear pair of axles.
The M747 trailer is capable of carrying up to 60 t of cargo. It was often used to transport the M60 Patton main battle tank. Vehicles can enter the low loader using the two side by side ramps at the rear. The two winches have a combined power of 54 t. This allows the M746 to be used as a wrecker. Broken down vehicles can also be pulled onto the trailer.
The 8x8 chassis provides a good mobility on roads and moderate mobility in the field. With steering on both front axles the turn radius is limited for a tank transporter. The 625 hp diesel engine allows for a maximum road speed of 62 km/h. The cab can be reduced in height for air transport.
The M746 was adopted by the US Army in limited numbers. A total of 125 vehicles were acquired and used in the European theater. In service the M746 was supplemented by the M911. The sole export customer was Morocco with an order of 68 vehicles.
Left side view of M746.
Source: Rolf Mulder @ www.primeportal.net -
© copyright lies with original owner
The M746 is a Cold War era heavy equipment transporter (HET). Only a single variant was ever produced. The M746 is used in combination with the M747 four axle 60t trailer. Being an 8x8 vehicle with forward control cab the M746 is easy to distinguish from other US trucks. The German Faun SLT-50-2 looks rather similar since it was developed from the same HET-70 program.
The M911 Commercial HET (C-HET) was adopted by the US Army to make up for the limited number of M746 that were acquired. In US military service both vehicles use the M747 four axle semi-trailer.
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