Newbie, 5 ton tractor

[Diamondjim11]

Hello everyone,
New to the S/S site and let me say great site, already found it very informative. I have a few questions I was hoping you veteran guys could help me with. I want a vehicle to pull my Halftrack with. The track is under 14,000 lbs. I looked at a deuce but I was told it would not be "legal "to pull that kind of weight. I found a 5 ton tractor(M52) I think, that is priced reasonably. It has the multifuel engine with whistler turbo, 23,xxx on the speedo 283hrs on tach.Went thru rebuild at Lead depot 11/86. The truck fired right up after sitting for a LONG time . It seemed to run ok and power steering worked good and shifted ok. Tires are all good.I will put antique plates on it, and only use it for pulling the track and parades. Problem is brakes didn't work at all. Pedal went to the floor with no resistence at all. Could this be something simple ? The truck was gone over mech by the shop several years ago then sat for 4-5 years.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can get this truck for under $2800 but I didn't want to into a big headache and $$$ with a brake issues.Thanks for your help.
JIM

 

[atilathehun]

the 5ton tractor should work fine for u i have a m54 cargo and i pull a 9 ton jd crawler on a trailer behind that my truck was rebuilt at lead in 85 as far as the brakes they may just need fluid put in the master cylinder and a good flush to get the air out

 

[atilathehun]

yes and welcome to the site u now have the od fever and it is not treatable the only fix is more green iron but it is a good hobby there are alot of people on here that will be glad to answer your questions

 

[bulldog_mack13]

Welcome , id go with a M818 tractor ,im sure alot of people can tell you the pros and cons of buying a M52 to M818. But in the end , get what you want it makes you happy. We would like to see your half trck pictures , Jay

 

[NDT]

It could be as simple as low fluid in the master cyl, but it could also be 6 leaking wheel cylinders which as you can imagine are no fun to replace. If the M52 is not otherwise really nice, you might be advised to look into a M818, they are being surplused by the hundreds right now and are usually in good shape. Prices are considerably under what you mentioned.

 

[Wrench Wench]

HALF-TRACK PICS! HALF-TRACK PICS! HALF-TRACK PICS! HALF-TRACK PICS! HALF-TRACK PICS!



Welcome to Steel Soldiers.

 

[Diamondjim11]

AS soon as I figure out how to post pics I will. Sorry for the delay, Is the price on this truck too high?Besides low m/c (I had looked at the insides of the wheels no wet spots or stains around the wheel cyl), any other thoughts on the brake issue?
Jim

 

[vtdeucedriver]

$2800 is CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! check the fluid, and bleed it and see what happens, then from there..................worst case a master cylinder or airpack.........................cheap money for a $2800.00 tractor!!!!

 

[Diamondjim11]

Here try these
Jim

 

[jime]

Very nice!

 

[jimmcld]

I would go for an 818. With that kind of weight, your going to be crawling up hills with the multifuel. The Cummings has almost 100 more horsepower.

 

[frodobaggins]

Who told you it would not be "legal" to pull it with a deuce ?

 

[OldGoat]

I would go for an 818. With that kind of weight, your going to be crawling up hills with the multifuel. The Cummings has almost 100 more horsepower.

The paperwork on my M52a2 said 210 hp, the lowest rating I have seen was 190. $2800 for a depot rebuild anything sounds like a good deal.

 

[Sephirothq]

Jim,
You could borrow the 5 ton M818 to tow the M52 home.
Dave

 

[Diamondjim11]

here are a couple more

camera pics 091.jpg (101.6 KB)

haltrack 021.jpg (105.9 KB)

 

[KaiserM109]

If you haven't already found this link take a look and make sure to follow the links in the first post:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/members-rides/15115-african-queen-1943-m16a2-mgmc-half-track.html

By the way, DiamondJim, your last 2 links are broken.

 

[Diamondjim11]

Yes, I was afraid they wouldn't work. I lost the page before they were done. I will try to reload them.

 

[Diamondjim11]

here we go again, the story on the track in the link above is worth the read.
Thanks
Jim

 

[Diamondjim11]

Newbie 5 ton

Hey guys,
thanks for the advice. I went down checked the m/c added fluid, have a dozen pumps of the pedal brakes feel good and stayed with no fade or spongy feel Thanks again for all your help.
Jim

 

[BBoomerBootCamp]

Did you buy it??opcorn: