M747 Semi-Trailer, Low Bed, Heavy Equipment Transporter, 60 ton

The Semitrailer, Low Bed, Heavy Equipment Transporter, 60 ton, M747 is a 16-wheel vehicle designed for use as a heavy equipment transporter operating on highways and secondary roads. The semitrailer has off road capability to bypass road obstructions, to reach vehicle collecting points, and to reach areas for concealment.

Prior to the introduction of the M1070 tractor and M1000 semitrailer Heavy Equipment Transport System (HETS) in 1993, the Commercial Heavy Equipment Transporter (C-HET), consisting of M746 and M911 truck tractors, were used as the prime movers for the M747 semitrailer to move heavy equipment loads. The M747 semitrailer can also be towed by an M123 Truck, Tractor, 10-Ton, 6x6.

The M747 semitrailer consists of a frame assembly, with a gooseneck at the front and flat bed at the rear, loading and un-loading ramps, walking beam suspension system, air suspension system, air brake system, a 24-volt electrical system, and a series of rollers used to guide winch cables during loading and unloading operations.

The maintenance manual for the M747 Semitrailer is TM 9-2330-294-14. The M747 semitrailer is identified by NSN 2330-00-089-7265.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M747 Low Bed Semitrailer at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

42D Main Support Bn, Recovery Vehicle Operation, Riverhead, NY, May 1993. Appears to be Commercial Heavy Equipment Transporter (C-HET), consisting of M746 or M911 truck tractor as the prime movers for the M747 semitrailer carrying an M113 APC.

M746 Truck, Tractor: 22 1/2-ton, HET, 8x8, w/Dual Midship Winch. NSN 2320-00-089-7264. Manufactured by Ward LaFrance Truck Corporation from 1973-1977, total production less than 200. Used for heavy transport with the M747 semitrailer. Courtesy American Truck Historical Society forum

Prior to 1993, the U.S. Army employed the Commercial Heavy Equipment Transporter (C-HET), shown here with the M911 truck tractor and the M747 semitrailer carrying an M60 Main Battle Tank.

M-746 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) Truck Tractor, 22 1/2-ton, 8x8 with M747 Semitrailer, carrying an M-60 Patton Main Battle Tank (MBT), circa 1973.

M747 Heavy Equipment Transporter System trailer at the US Marine Corps Mechanized Museum, Camp Pendleton, CA.

Night convory of the M1070/M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HETS) with M1 Abrams tank on the trailer. HETS was developed to accommodate the increased weight of the M1 Abrams MBT, replacing the M911/M747.

M-747 Semitrailer, Low-bed Photo Gallery

M747 Heavy Equipment Transporter System trailer carrying M-107 175mm Self-propelled Gun, at the US Marine Corps Mechanized Museum, Camp Pendleton, CA.

M747 Semi-Trailer, Low Bed, Heavy Equipment Transporter, 60 ton. Location is Van Vliet Trucks Holland BV, The Netherlands. Photo courtesy of Van Vliet Trucks Holland BV, The Netherlands.