M-6 38-ton High Speed Field Artillery Tractor (G-184)

The M-6 High Speed Tractor is the prime-mover for the 240mm Howitzer, M1 eight-inch gun, or the 4.7 inch gun. It is also used to tow a pair of ten-ton trailers in tandem or other heavy loads.

The M-6 High Speed Tractor weighs 62,600 pounds, unloaded, or 85,500 pounds when coupled to a T-29 trailer with the 240mm Howitzer aboard. It will pull 50,000 pounds on a full trailer or a semitrailed load of 28,000 pounds.

Two rows of seats were provided for driver and crew, a total of eleven positions. Side entrance openings could be covered by canvas panels.

An anti-aircraft M2 .50 cal. machine gun on an M49C ring mount was accessed through a hatch above the crew compartment.

A winch with 60,000 pounds capacity was installed in the middle rear of the tractor. Ammunition for towed artillery could be carried in a rear compartment, up to 20-24 rounds depending on the size of rounds. A cargo boom was provided for material handling.

Approximately 1,235 of the M6 HST were produced by Allis-Chalmers from February 1944 to August 1945. It saw WWII service in the ETO, late in the war.

Today in WW II: 17 Sep 1939 Soviet troops invade Poland from the east. More ↓

17 Sep 1944 Thousands of Allied planes begin airborne assault on Holland, Operation Market Garden.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Specifications of the M-6 High Speed Tractor

Crew	Driver plus ten
Max. Gross Weight	76,000 lbs.
Suspension	HVSS
Running Wheels	6
Height	8 ft, 8 in.
Width	10 ft, 0 in.
Length	21 ft, 6 in.
Engine	Two Waukesha 145GZ 6 cyl. gasolines
Horsepower	190hp each @2100rpm
Max Speed	21 mph
Range	110 mi.

M-6 High Speed Tractor Photos

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M-6 High Speed Tractor at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup: