FarNorth

I was in Whitehorse,YT last year and saw the LeTourneau Unit thats on display at the Transportation Museum there. Interesting machine.

Very good and interesting article. Thanks! Learned some information and was reminded of some of what we experienced. I drove a couple of the USMC ones in the '70s. As I recall we had 4(?)of them in our unit, ( Motor Transport Section of an Infantry Battalion) with winches. Some of the more regular issues I recall were with brakes and bent tailgates - going in reverse with it down on uneven ground would usually end up with it bent, and need to be replaced as likely not repairable. Also only recall once seeing a Goat swimming in fresh water for demonstration. Something not mentioned in the article, was what I recall was a "Truss Kit", which would be used in event of a flat tire. This kit was adjustable links which would lock the front and rear sections together, and one of the center tire/wheels could be removed and, used as the spare. Recall at least once, we convoyed from Camp Pendleton to 29 Palms, with M151's and M561's. The M561 was the largest Tactical vehicle we had in the unit at that time. It was ok to drive on and off road in the field. I don't recall at this time all of the problems as mentioned in the article. My recollection is we seemed to have ok service with ours. With cautions and limitations. Don't know how many miles were put on per year, my guess, not alot. The Engine was mounted backwards and exhaust dumped out over center left tire. Yes it was loud and steered hard. Long time ago now.

Thanks for the interesting info/comments about the engines. The only ones I remember being around were on pumps,welders,etc, up to a 6cyl turbocharged. Always thought they were a good engine. Never saw one in a truck. I seem to recall reading in a service manual, (GM medium duty) must have been in the '80s?, a section,that showed a truck application, very different. Never saw one, don't know if they ever built any. Maybe someone knows if my recollection is correct?

I wonder how the air cooled engines worked out?

As I recall, the clutch and shift linkage could make gear changes interesting at times!

Great Yard and pictures. Thanks!

Great to hear on the low traffic! Winter travel in that area must be challenging at times? Not sure I would want to drive it nowadays.

The first picture, the blue one looks like a White 3000? White 6cyl gas engine?

I do recall it was some distance to a town. Don't remember ever stopping there.

The Oshkosh is interesting. Many years ago the job site I was on had a similar, mid 70's model. Handled the trash dumpsters. Small v-8 cat ( 1160?). Seemed like a good truck for the job, heavy.

I'm not sure what the correct name is now. Back then seem's we just referred to it as Bridgeport. We had air transport to Fallon, then by road. As I recall, the buildings there in the '70s, for the most part, seemed to be Quonset hut style. Long time ago now, summer time, the area has probably changed alot.

Some interesting country near there as I recall. In the '70s, did some training not far from Bridgeport.

Would it be possible for Ford-Otosan to be the Heavy Truck division manufacturer here in North America?

The truck part of this unit is similar to a fire truck I knew of many years ago (1980's), 6x6, may have been a '76 or'77 mdl year. If I recall, 8v-71, Allison [ believe it had retarder], Spokes and wide singles on all axles. Looked like a good choice for the industry/location were it was at.

Very interesting information and history. Thanks!