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M5
M5A1
M5A2
M5A3
M5A4

13-ton High-speed Tractor M51-5

M5: General
Date of first acceptance May 1943 Total acceptances 5,290
Manufacturer International Harvester Co. Crew
9 men:
  • Driver in hull center front
  • 8 passengers
M5: Dimensions
Combat weight 28,572lbs
12,960kg		 Height 104"
264cm
Length 191.125"
485.458cm		 Width 100.0"
254.0cm
Tread 83"
210cm		 Ground clearance 19.75"
50.17cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 11.4psi
.800kg/cm²
M5: Armament
None
M5: Armor
None
M5: Automotive
Engine Continental R6572; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 235@2,900rpm Torque Net: 490 ft-lb@1,600rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical on controlled differential
M5: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 2 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 2/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth front drive Trailing adjustable with volute spring at rear of each track None
M5: Track
T36E6
Outside guide, double pin, rubber bushed, steel, parallel grouser
Width 11.6"
29.5cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 62 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
T55E1
Outside guide, double pin, rubber bushed, steel, chevron
Width 11.6"
29.5cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 62 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
T16
Outside guide, double pin, rubber bushed, reversible rubber
Width 11.6"
29.5cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 62 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
M5: Performance
Max level road speed 35mph
56kph		 Max trench 66"
170cm
Max grade 72% Max vertical obstacle 18"
46cm
Min turning diameter 53'
16m		 Max fording depth 53"
135cm
Cruising range ~125mi, roads
~200km, roads

The 13-ton high-speed tractor M5 was intended primarily as a prime mover for the towed 105mm and 155mm howitzers as well as the 4.5" gun. Its maximum allowable towed load was 20,300lb (9,210kg). The suspension was related to that found on the light tank M3, and light tank tracks were used as well. Open topped, a canvas cover could be installed over the hull, and the driver was provided with a forward-folding, bottom-hinged, one-piece safety glass windshield complete with rear-view mirror and a pneumatic wiper. A Gar Wood Model US 15T 15,000lb- (6,800kg-) capacity winch driven via a shaft from the transmission was installed in the hull front along with 300' (90m) of ⅝" (1.59cm) cable. Normal maximum speed for the tractor was 30mph (48kph), but 35mph (56kph) could be achieved in emergencies. When towing, the maximum grade was reduced to 50%. A field modification detailed in MWO ORD G 162-W3 allowed a .50cal machine gun to be mounted. Ammunition chests provided stowage for 56 rounds of 105mm, 25 rounds of 155mm, or 38 rounds of 4.5" ammunition.

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13-ton High-speed Tractor M5A11-3,7

M5A1: General
Date of first acceptance May 1945 Total acceptances 589
Manufacturer International Harvester Co. Crew
11 men:
  • Driver in hull left front
  • 10 passengers
M5A1: Dimensions
Combat weight 30,405lbs
13,792kg		 Height 114.5"
290.8cm
Length 196.375"
498.793cm		 Width 100.0"
254.0cm
Tread 83"
210cm		 Ground clearance 19.75"
50.17cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 12.1psi
.849kg/cm²
M5A1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on ring mount M49C 400 rounds 360°
(manual)		 +80° to -20°
(manual)
M5A1: Armor
None
M5A1: Automotive
Engine Continental R6572; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 235@2,900rpm Torque Net: 490 ft-lb@1,600rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical on controlled differential
M5A1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 2 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 2/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth front drive Trailing adjustable with volute spring at rear of each track None
M5A1: Track
T36E6
Outside guide, double pin, rubber bushed, steel, parallel grouser
Width 11.6"
29.5cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 62 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
T55E1
Outside guide, double pin, rubber bushed, steel, chevron
Width 11.6"
29.5cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 62 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
T16
Outside guide, double pin, rubber bushed, reversible rubber
Width 11.6"
29.5cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 62 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
M5A1: Performance
Max level road speed 35mph
56kph		 Max trench 66"
170cm
Max grade 72% Max vertical obstacle 18"
46cm
Min turning diameter 53'
16m		 Max fording depth 53"
135cm
Cruising range ~125mi, roads
~200km, roads

The M5A1 featured a steel cab with rearranged seating and ammunition stowage. A machine gun ring mount could be found in the cab roof for antiaircraft protection.

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13-ton High-speed Tractor M5A21-3

M5A2: General
Manufacturer International Harvester Co. Crew
9 men:
  • Driver in hull center front
  • 8 passengers
M5A2: Dimensions
Combat weight 26,149lbs
11,861kg		 Height 104"
264cm
Length 191.125"
485.458cm		 Width 114.5"
290.8cm
Tread 94.5"
240cm		 Ground clearance 19.75"
50.17cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 5.7psi
.40kg/cm²
M5A2: Armament
None
M5A2: Armor
None
M5A2: Automotive
Engine Continental R6572; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 235@2,900rpm Torque Net: 490 ft-lb@1,600rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical on controlled differential
M5A2: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Horizontal volute spring 2 bogies/track;
2 dual wheels/bogie		 2 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth front drive Dual trailing adjustable with volute spring at rear of each track None
M5A2: Track
T82
Center guide, single pin, rubber bushed, steel
Width 21"
53cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 63 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
M5A2: Performance
Max level road speed 35mph
56kph		 Max trench 66"
170cm
Max grade 72% Max vertical obstacle 18"
46cm
Min turning diameter 53'
16m		 Max fording depth 53"
135cm
Cruising range ~125mi, roads
~200km, roads

Emerging after the end of World War II, the M5A2 was similar to the M5 except that a new suspension was installed with wider tracks.

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13-ton High-speed Tractor M5A31-3,7

M5A3: General
Manufacturer International Harvester Co. Crew
11 men:
  • Driver in hull left front
  • 10 passengers
M5A3: Dimensions
Combat weight 30,350lbs
13,770kg		 Height 114.5"
290.8cm
Length 196.375"
498.793cm		 Width 114.5"
290.8cm
Tread 94.5"
240cm		 Ground clearance 19.75"
50.17cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 6.7psi
.47kg/cm²
M5A3: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on ring mount M49C 400 rounds 360°
(manual)		 +80° to -20°
(manual)
M5A3: Armor
None
M5A3: Automotive
Engine Continental R6572; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 235@2,900rpm Torque Net: 490 ft-lb@1,600rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical on controlled differential
M5A3: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Horizontal volute spring 2 bogies/track;
2 dual wheels/bogie		 2 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth front drive Dual trailing adjustable with volute spring at rear of each track None
M5A3: Track
T82
Center guide, single pin, rubber bushed, steel
Width 21"
53cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 63 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
M5A3: Performance
Max level road speed 35mph
56kph		 Max trench 66"
170cm
Max grade 72% Max vertical obstacle 18"
46cm
Min turning diameter 53'
16m		 Max fording depth 53"
135cm
Cruising range ~125mi, roads
~200km, roads

The M5A3 was essentially an M5A1 using the new suspension found on the M5A2.

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13-ton High-speed Tractor M5A42,6-7

M5A4: General
Crew
12 men:
  • Driver in hull center front
  • 11 passengers
M5A4: Dimensions
Combat weight 29,804lbs
13,519kg		 Height 102.5"
260.4cm
Length 199.125"
505.778cm		 Width 115.5"
293.4cm
Tread 90.375"
229.55cm		 Ground clearance 19.75"
50.17cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 11.1psi
.779kg/cm²
M5A4: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on ring mount M49C or M66 525 rounds 360°
(manual)		 +80° to -20°
(manual)
M5A4: Armor
None
M5A4: Automotive
Engine Continental R6572; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 235@2,900rpm Torque Net: 490 ft-lb@1,600rpm Fuel capacity 100gal
380L
Transmission Constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical on controlled differential
M5A4: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Horizontal volute spring 2 bogies/track;
2 dual wheels/bogie		 2 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth front drive Dual trailing adjustable with volute spring at rear of each track None
M5A4: Track
Center guide, single pin, rubber bushed, steel
Width 21"
53cm		 Pitch 5.5"
14cm		 Shoes/track 63 Ground contact length 108.5"
275.6cm
M5A4: Performance
Max recommended road speed 30mph
kph		 Max trench 66"
170cm
Max grade 72% Max vertical obstacle 18"
46cm
Min turning diameter 40'
12m		 Max fording depth 53"
135cm
Cruising range ~150mi, roads
~240km, roads

The M5A4 was similar to the M5A2, except that the ammunition boxes were placed over the fenders to ease access. A machine gun ring mount was mounted behind the driver, over the center of the passenger compartment. Stowage was provided for fifty-six 105mm rounds or twenty-four 155mm rounds with extra fuzes and primers. The M66 ring mount used roller-bearing construction, and the inner ring was rotated to traverse the weapon.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  3. TM 9-786 13-ton High-speed Tractors M5, M5A1, M5A2 and M5A3. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 30 April 1950.
  4. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, second edition 1944, volume I: Tank and Automotive. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Technical Division, 1 June 1945.
  5. TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 1 September 1943.
  6. TM 9-2800-1/TO 19-75A-89 Military Vehicles (Ordnance Corps Responsibility). Washington, DC: Departments of the Army and Air Force, 13 February 1953.
  7. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
Last updated 14 May 2023.
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