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M746 HET



Overview


M746 HET

M746 in Moroccan service in 2006.
Source: www.far-maroc.forumpro.fr - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Heavy equipment transporter
Entered service
Mid 1970's
Status
In limited service
Development
1965 - 1971
Developer
United States - Chrysler
Production
1975 - 1977
Producer
United States - WardLaFrance
Number produced
A total of 193 M746 have been built.
Designations
HET-70 / Heavy Equipment Transporter 70
Notable users
United States
Morocco

Description


Introduction

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.

Layout

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.

Cargo capacity

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.

Mobility

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.

Users

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.

Details


M746 HET

Left side view of M746.
Source: Rolf Mulder @ www.primeportal.net - © copyright lies with original owner

M746 HET

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.

Facts M746 HET
General
Origin
United States
Type
Heavy equipment transporter
Crew
1 + 2 (driver, 2 passengers)
Dimensions
Weight
20.4 t empty
39.0 t with load
Length
8.23 m
Width
3.05 m
Height
3.05 m cab raised
2.51 m cab lowered
1.6 m 5th wheel
Automotive
Chassis
Wheeled chassis, 8x8
Wheelbase
1.5 + 2.27 + 1.5 m, 2.55 m track
Tires
18.00 x25
Engine
Detroit Diesel, 12V-71(T) 12-cylinder diesel
Power output
625 hp at 2.500 rpm
Transmission
Automatic, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
530 L
Mobility
Max speed
62 km/h on road
8 km/h at 15% gradient
Range
322 km
Ground clearance
0.33 m
Fording
1.2 m
Protection
Armor
No
NBC system
No
Equipment
Winch
2x 27t winch
Cargo capacity
20.4 t pressure on 5th wheel
62.1 t towed load

Media


Related articles


M911 C-HET

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.