M4 High-Speed Tractor
Overview
M4 High Speed Tractor
US Army M4 High Speed Tractor seen towing a 155mm Long Tom artillery piece
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
Origin
United States
Type
Prime mover
Entered service
1943
Status
Out of service
Development
1941 - 1942
Developer
United States
Production
March 1943 - August 1945
Producer
United States
-
Allis-Chalmers
Number produced
5.552 M4
259 M4A1
259 M4A1
Designations
High Speed Tractor, 18-ton , M4
T9 (prototype)
M4 Artillerietrekker (Dutch service)
G150
T9 (prototype)
M4 Artillerietrekker (Dutch service)
G150
Notable users
United States
Variants
List of M4 High Speed Tractor variants
M4
Standard production model. A total of 2.464 were intended for use with 76mm and 90mm anti-aircraft guns. A total of 3.088 were intended for 155mm, 203mm or 240mm towed howitzers. These had a reconfigurable ammunition storage area and were fitted with a hydraulic crane.
M4C
A number of existing M4 for use with 155mm and 240mm howitzers with additional ammunition storage in the rear passenger compartment, reducing passenger capacity to 6.
M4A1
Production batch of 259 vehicles produced in 1945 with spacers for a wider suspension. This allowed for wider tracks with end extensions to be used, significantly lowering the ground pressure of the vehicle.
M4A2
Existing M4 rebuilt and upgraded at Bowen-McLaughlin in 1954 to supplement the shortages of the M8 High Speed Tractor.
Details
Facts
M4 High Speed Tractor
M4A1 High Speed Tractor
General
Origin
United States
Type
Prime mover
Crew
1 + 10 (driver, 10 passengers)
Dimensions
Weight
16.3 t combat load
Length
5.16 m
Width
2.46 m
Height
2.51 m
Main armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
M49 ring mount on roof
Ammunition
500 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Elevation
-20° to +80°, manual
Traverse
360°, manual
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis
Layout
Drive sprocket front, road wheel that doubles as idler rear
Tread
2.0 m
Track width
0.42 m
Track on ground
3.15 m
Ground pressure
0.62 kg/cm²
Suspension
Horizontal volute spring
Automotive
Engine model
Waukesha 145GZ
Engine type
13.6 liter 6-cylinder in-line petrol
Power output
210 hp @ 2.100 rpm
Transmission
3 forwards, 1 reverse
Fuel
473 L
Mobility
Speed
53 km/h
Range
290 km on road
Turn radius
12 m
Power to weight ratio
12.9 hp/t tractor only
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.5 m
Wall
0.7 m
Trench
1.5 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
1 m
Protection
Armor type
None, softskin vehicle
NBC system
No
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
No
Winch
13.6 t capacity, 90 m cable length
Cargo capacity
Towed load
13.6 t
Media
M4 High Speed Tractor
Former Pakistani army M4 High Speed Tractor on public display as seen in 2023.
Source: MHA-Clicks
Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.0
M4 High Speed Tractor
Several M4 High Speed Tractors seen towing Long Tom artillery during a queen's day parade in the Netherlands in 1956.
Source: Wim van Rossem
Copyright: Public domain
M4 High Speed Tractor
Former Israeli M4 High Speed Tractor on public display in a museum photographed in 2005.
Source: Bukvoed
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
M4 High Speed Tractor
Former Brazilian army M4 High Speed Tractor seen in a museum in 2013.
Source: Edvaldo LL Souza
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
8-inch Howitzer M1
US Army 8-inch Howitzer M1 being towed by a M4 High Speed Tractor in France in 1944.
Source: PhotosNormandie
Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.0
8-inch Howitzer M1 with M4 High Speed Tractor
8-inch Howitzer M1 with M4 High Speed Tractor on public display in a museum.
Source: Peeters Ben
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
Related articles
155mm M59 Long Tom
The 155mm Long Tom was often towed by the M4 High Speed Tractor.
203mm M115
The 8-inch Howitzer M1 towed howitzer (known as 203mm M115 later on) was often towed by the M4 High Speed Tractor.