• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

M878A1 (Ottawa Mod. 50)

Tracer

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
6,626
14,098
113
Location
Hawthorne, NV.
DSCF1687.jpgDSCF1688.jpgDSCF1689.jpgDSCF1693.jpgDSCF1694.jpgDSCF1690.jpgDSCF1691.jpgDSCF1692.jpg I've never seen the military version of this truck before, some commercial truckers call them Yard Goats. The local scrap dealer in town purchased this M878A1 from the Hawthorne Munitions Depot auction back in April 2017. There was only one post on this truck in the SS archives, and it referred to a truck sold on GL a few years back. I did find TM-9-2320-285-10 which was good for info on this truck. The ARMY refers to the M878A1 as a truck, tractor, yard type and was manufactured by Ottawa as the Commando Model 50. The truck is powered by a Detroit Diesel 6V53T (225HP), with an MT653 Allison Transmission. Question, have any members here on SS ever driven, or worked on these trucks. I couldn't find out how many were ordered, or still in military service, it also appears to be an ARMY only vehicle. This appears to be a rare truck, as there is so little info on it in SS, or the internet. I have a little back yard space left, and if this truck is worth saving, I would like to do so before the scrapper torches it. The truck looks complete minus some small items, but it does not look as if the truck is in running condition.
 

Tracer

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
6,626
14,098
113
Location
Hawthorne, NV.
That thing is cool. My wife even says so.

Looks like the 5th wheel height is adjustable

Id like to take it off road at the rally.
Yes, the fifth wheel is hydraulically operated, this enables the driver to lower or raise the fifth wheel for alignment with the trailer. There is also a pneumatically operated fifth wheel unlatch.
 

WillWagner

The Person You Were Warned About As A Child
Super Moderator
Steel Soldiers Supporter
8,546
2,787
113
Location
Monrovia, Ca.
Old school! I work on them pretty regularly. Some are geared/have the top gears locked, out so they only go 20 mph or so.
 

Scrounger

Active member
496
67
28
Location
Southern, Maryland
I have the Military C30 version. That model has both a 12 and 24 volt plug for the trailers. The C30 version only has the 12-volt plug. They have S cam brakes on the drive axle and wedge brakes up front.

7.jpg8.jpg
 

snowtrac nome

Well-known member
1,674
139
63
Location
western alaska
we had the road oiler versions in korea in the 80's the hydraulic 5th wheel is so the operator can move trailers around the yard with out lifting the landing gear. they are geared real low and have no rear suspension the company I work for has one built by capacity we use it for moving intermodal trailers around the yard I have towed up to 80 k around with it with nothing more than a 6 b cummins
 

someoldmoose

New member
583
2
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
That's awesome. See even the Mil. needs yard jockeys. The little trucks that DO! Only used the civvy version, briefly. If ya go get it, can ya grab me the pumper in the background of pic. 3 ?

Super simple lil machines. Back in, throw the pin lock, throw the air to 'er, lift the fifth wheel so landing gear clears the ground and drive away. Door on the rear of the cab to get out and hook up air and electric. We never even bothered to hook up the light plug, just the air gladhands (to release the trailer brakes). We were on private property and only moving for short distances. IF we hadda go on public land all codes hadda be complied with. As said, ZERO rear suspension, like a hard tail Harley. Had a SUPER air ride seat though. Maybe that's my next H-D invention, an air ride seat for rigids. :lol: I was always a soft tail wuss hahahahaha I like my kidneys.
 
Last edited:
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website like our supporting vendors. Their ads help keep Steel Soldiers going. Please consider disabling your ad blockers for the site. Thanks!

I've Disabled AdBlock
No Thanks