M-26 Heavy Transporter 6x6 Tractor (G-160) & M-15 Semi-Trailer
The M-26 Heavy Transporter 6x6 Tractor had a fully armored cab that included hinged steel plates that could be fastened to cover the windows, allowing only slits for vision. The M-26A1 and M-26A2 had a soft top, not intended for use under fire. The tractors had a fifth wheel designed to connect to the M-15 trailer and had three winches. Two of the winches were 60,000 lb. units mounted behind the cab, for use in pulling a load onto the trailer. The third winch, with 35,000 lb. capacity, was front mounted, for use in self-recovery if the tractor became stuck.
The M-26 Tractor was armed with an M2 .50 cal. machine gun on a ring mount.
The M-15 semi-trailer was an eight wheel flat bed that attached to the M26 fifth wheel and had rear loading ramps for loading tanks or other cargo. The rear wheels and ramps had adjustable width for loading vehicles of different sizes. The payload of the trailer was:
- M-15 Semi-trailer: 80,000 lb. (36,287kg)
- M-15A1 Semi-trailer: 90,000 lb. (40,823kg)
- M-15A2 Semi-trailer: 100,000 lb. (45,359kg)
The M-26 Tractor units and the M-15/M-15A1 trailers were manufactured by Pacific Car & Foundry Co. of Renton, WA. The M-15A2 trailers were built by Freuhauf Trailer Co.
M26 6x6 Tractor & M15 Semi-Trailer Specifications:
| Tractor length: | 25 ft. 4 in. (7.72m) |
| Tractor width: | 10 ft. 10.75 in. (3.32m) |
| Tractor height: | 10 ft. 4 in. (3.14m) |
| Trailer length: | 38 ft. 9 in. (11.81m) |
| Trailer width: | 12 ft. 6.5 in. (3.81m) |
| Tractor curb weight: | 41,300 lbs. (21,908kg) |
| Trailor curb weight: | 35,000 lbs. (15,875kg) |
| Engine: | Hall-Scott 440, 6cyl gas, 230bhp@2,100rpm |
| Speed: | 26 mph (42km/hr) |
| Range: | 250 mi. (400km) |
M-26 tractor and M-15 trailer carrying M-4 Sherman tank at the Musée des Blindés (Armor Museum), Saumur, France in 2003. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Hollerman.
M-26 Tractor retrieving a knocked-out M-4 Sherman tank near Bastogne, Belgium, December 1944.
M-26 Tractor with M-15 Trailer retrieving an M-4 Sherman tank during WW II.
