half-track tow cable?

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bobc
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half-track tow cable?

Post by bobc » Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:09 pm

I was flipping though Hunnicut's tonight looking for good pictures of the winch bumper,I'm in the process of replacing my roller bumper with a winch and had some questions, I noticed on all the factory fresh units that they had a tow cable wrapped around the tow hook, I figured it was kind of the same thing as the rope on a jeep and didn't last very long in the field, but then I got looking at half-track combat pictures and it looked like about half of them still had their tow cable, not always neatly wrapped but they were actually there! So now I want to find out the specs for this tow cable, length and thickness, any little thing to help dress it up a little more. So do any one have an original tow cable that they can get me some measurements off of? Thanks Bob.
M-2-A-1 White half-track, 41 CCKW SWB (yard truck), hoping to start working on my G-506 open cab.


Warren Duchesne
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Warren Duchesne » Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:37 am

There is a guy in France that has them NOS but with the exchange rate and freight they are pretty expensive . I wonder if 2 sent together would help the shipping cost . If so I might go in with you and purchase one .Below is the link . Warren Duchesne

http://www.leboncoin.fr/collection/122927141.htm?ca=1_s

bobc
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by bobc » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:04 am

If the exchange rate I got was right $135 isn't bad,all depends on what shipping is going to be, I doubt you could have one made up for much less, thanks for the link, I tired to email him, but I don't speak french I hope he speaks english, I'll let you know what he has to say. Bob.
M-2-A-1 White half-track, 41 CCKW SWB (yard truck), hoping to start working on my G-506 open cab.

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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Tapper02 » Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:53 pm

Bob,
I've been trying to track down a cable for years, so I had to go and pull out Hunnicutt's again after reading your post. I don't remember catching this before, but it looks like there are three different types of the cables: One that looks like the cable Warren posted the link to, a second one that is a lot thicker with a cast metal guide in the loop, and a third that instead of having the cable ends braided uses clamps (and again, with the cast metal guides in the loop).

Dan Dolan was working on getting the thicker style made…I'll check to see if he's made any progress.

-Tom
1944 Autocar M3A1 Halftrack
1944 Schelm Bros. M10 Ammunition Trailer

MVPA # 30507

bobc
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by bobc » Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:10 pm

It's actually amazing you don't see more of these, I don't think I have ever seen a restored one here in the states with a cable, and I'm sure it was a standard piece of hardware for every half-track, if I could get the cable size and over all length I have some friends I think could make them,they worked for a uranium mine and ended up with all the equipment from several mines, and cable repairs were very common, the kind with the clamps would be the easiest but it looked like only the IHC units had that type of cable, I like the crimped cables with a metal sleeve in the loop.
M-2-A-1 White half-track, 41 CCKW SWB (yard truck), hoping to start working on my G-506 open cab.

Thundercat97
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Thundercat97 » Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:09 am

I didn't check the book to see which cable you are talking about but I have a local shop near that has been making me stuff for years. I had them make me a wire rope that looks just like the one in the half-track manual (the one with a thimble on each end) I just gave them the specs and they turned it around in a short period. The service is great and they have quick turnaround. http://www.nelsonwirerope.com/
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Joseph Freitas » Tue Nov 19, 2013 5:14 am

In accordance with TM 9-710-A, dated Sept. 16, 1942, Page 49 and 50. Show's the tow cable with the following remarks:
( 10 ton; 1/2 in. x 15 ft.).

Joe in Lapine

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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Tue Nov 19, 2013 5:45 am

If we want to do a group buy on these I am in for several.
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Tapper02 » Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:33 am

I'd definately be in for one...if it met the specs.

-Tom
1944 Autocar M3A1 Halftrack
1944 Schelm Bros. M10 Ammunition Trailer

MVPA # 30507

bobc
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by bobc » Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:12 pm

I emailed the guy last week but haven't heard back from him, maybe he doesn't speak english,I don't speak French, if someone here does speak french maybe they could try to contact him and see if he would be willing to send them to the US, or at least get a quote if he would be to send them.
M-2-A-1 White half-track, 41 CCKW SWB (yard truck), hoping to start working on my G-506 open cab.

Thundercat97
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Thundercat97 » Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:55 pm

I will take a photo of the cable and measurements of the two cables I had made in the USA (PA)... if I recall correctly it was about 75 or so dollars (about 2 yrs ago). Might be worth looking into here is the USA to save on shipping and looks darn close to the original if I am talking about the same cable. I will try and post something on Friday, Nov 22nd.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

Thundercat97
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Thundercat97 » Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:31 pm

I took the photos but having some issues uploading the photos. Tried today with no success.... will try again tonight once I am home.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

Thundercat97
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Thundercat97 » Wed Dec 04, 2013 4:21 am

I tried... I am not smart enough to understand how to upload photos to the hosting site. I have three photos so if you want to see them, shoot me a PM with you email address and I will send them over to you. The photos are of the complete 15 foot wire rope, the build plate from the manufacturer and a shot of the ends.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

bobc
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by bobc » Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:11 pm

Here is the cable that "tundercat97" had made, they do look very much like some of the cables seen in Hunnicuts book, I haven't tried to call for prices from these guys, shipping would probably be almost as much as getting it from Europe!
Image
Image
M-2-A-1 White half-track, 41 CCKW SWB (yard truck), hoping to start working on my G-506 open cab.

Thundercat97
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Re: half-track tow cable?

Post by Thundercat97 » Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:31 am

Bob,

Thanks for posting them.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer


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