M-4 High Speed Tractor

The M4 18-ton High Speed Tractor was designed as a prime mover for towing large field artillery guns such as the 90mm Anti-Aircraft gun, the 155mm Long Tom, the 8in. Howitzer, or other heavy weapons (See the Towed Artillery Chart). In addition to moving the gun, the M-4 High Speed Tractor carried ammunition in cargo space racks. Ten men plus the driver could be carried. The M-4 HST was manufactured by Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. of Milwaukee, WI starting in 1942 and was in U.S. military service until approximately 1960.

The M-4 High Speed Tractor was equipped with air and electric brakes that would match any types of brakes on the towed load.

An anti-aircraft .50 cal. machine gun on a ring mount was accessed through a hatch above the crew compartment.

Today in WW II: 22 May 1939 Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany sign the Pact of Steel, a declaration of trust and cooperation that also included secret provisions on military and economic matters.

Specifications of the M-4 High Speed Tractor

Crew	Driver
Weight	31,500 lbs.
Height	7 ft, 10 in.
Width	8 ft, 1 in.
Length	17 ft, 2 in.
Engine	Waukesha 145GZ 6 cyl. gasoline
Horsepower	210hp
Road Speed	35 mph
Range	180 mi.

M-4 High Speed Tractor Photos

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M-4 High Speed Tractor at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

Allis Chalmers M4 18ton high speed tractor w/winch, prime mover for the 90mm AA gun, 155mm Gun M1, 8in howitzer M1 and others, NAB, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, VA, 16 August 1943. Notes from original caption: Medium Tractor M4 (155 MM, Allis Chalmers) #M4-443 W/Winch Force USA #993419, Wt. 20700, Cube 1168.

M4 18-ton High Speed Tractor with towed 8-inch howitzer, 999th FA Bn (Colored), Nantes-Gassicourt, France, 20 August 1944.

M-4 High Speed Tractor from 10th AAA Group, used as a prime mover for 120mm AAA, Korea, 1950.

M1 155mm Long Tom artillery towed by M4 High Speed Tractor, cross a Bailey Bridge over the Seine River, France, circa August 1944.

M4 18-ton High Speed Tractor, Ordnance reference photo at General Motors Proving Ground, 6 January 1944. View from right, front.

US tractor pulling captured German 88 artillery, ETO circa 1945.

M-4 High Speed Tractor Photo Gallery

>M-4 High Speed Tractor at Hampton Roads, VA, 16 August 1943
M-4 High Speed Tractor at Hampton Roads, VA, 16 August 1943.

An M-4 High Speed Tractor of the Seventeenth Field Artillery, supporting the First Marine Division, stopped by a river near Chunchon, Korea, 1950.