The Kettenrad was designed beffore ww2 for use in forrestry in Germany, after ww2 some are used for that purpose back again, they pull a log so out of the forrest onto the forrest road.
Steering system with Cletrac is interesting. Cletrac Inc. was a Cleveland Tractor Company that made and sold crawler tractors all over the world before the war and then tugs for aircraft and artillery during the war.
You can actually drive them without the front wheel in place, it was standard procedure in certain circumstances (can't remember what) and there are photos showing this.
@christianjunghanel6724 that's specific to the vehicle in the period this vehicle was built. As in many German tanks couldn't turn on the spot, but say British tanks could.
Bet the tracks did not get oiled regularly every link needed cleaning and greasing/oiling. Interesting steering two stage. The Bren gun carrier had two stage as well first stage curved the track the second braked one side or the other, all operated from the steering. The steering on the German vehicle is easier on the arms apparently.
As always these Australian Military Museum pieces are fantastically repaired, but I have one question as to the track configuration. As a heavy equipment maintenace mechanic, when fitting tracks on a crawler configuration, the links are always placed with the narrow (closed) end facing forward, but in the case of this unit, the reverse configuration is obvious. Is there any reason that this is done? Track link, pins and bushing / pin bore wear, would be rapid when fitted this way. Appreciate your opinion.
Great episode Jason ! ... These were made for loading planes mainly, but in the movies, you see them as support and other roles outside of loading planes. is this true or just a movie thing ? Just curious....
Germany did not have much in the way of a car industry but a motorcycle industry was present. This is why during WW2 Germany used motorcycles in so many roles.
You move off with the front wheel angled,,, but it is NOT turning. Does not inspire confidence! The US and the Allies had Jeeps, and wide cargo doors on cargo planes. Jeep is a LOT lighter than that and carries more people. And faster. Kubelwagon was just a open top VW Beetle. With ground clearance. Jeep was more usefull and was 4wd. The C47 was a very handy device, more so than the German corrogated Junkers. For a start the door was bigger!!
Honestly, they should've gotten rid of the wheel up front. Waste of materials, not to mention the fact that for quite a bit of the travel, the steering it does is more like "a guideline, rather than actual rules" type thing. Weird thing.
Don’t quote me on this but I imagine it’s a balance issue and necessary. Look at the design. The engine is central or slightly back from the centre. The driver is up front and then at the back you’ve got whatever you’re carrying- supplies, men, ammo etc. I imagine that fully laden the rear is gonna weigh more. Having the motorbike bike style front not only gives you controls for the steering, but forces the driver further forward counter acting any weight imbalance. Also just makes steering easier as for the most part they’re not gonna be needing to make tight turns and more people are used to typical forms of steering on motorcycles and cars/trucks than they are with skid steering a tracked vehicle- so you don’t have to teach someone how to operate it. So long as they’ve driven a regular vehicle they can drive this without much extra knowledge required. 🤷
