Today in WW II: 16 May 1940 US Pres. Roosevelt asks Congress for funding to build 50,000 airplanes per year, a startling undertaking at the time. More↓
M870A3 Medium Heavy Equipment Transporter (MHET). Photo: Heil Trailer International.
The M870A3 Medium Heavy Equipment Transporter (MHET) 40-ton Semi-Trailer provides a state-of-the-art hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailer to replace the older variants of the M870 semi-trailer. The M870A3 trailer is designed to transport engineer equipment, tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles, containerized cargo on highways, unimproved roads (graded level), and cross-country. Two kingpins are provided for use with different prime movers (3.5 in (8.89 cm) and 2 in (5.08 cm)). The prime mover supplies brake air pressure for control of brakes, hydraulic power for operation of gooseneck, and electric power for trailer lighting.
The M870A3 includes the following features/benefits:
Four beam design, machine welded with high strength flanges
Main beams continuously welded at interfaces to eliminate rust bleed through
Self locking, positive, visible latch
Three ride height adjustments, hydraulic gooseneck and deck lift
Shot blast prior to paint
All tie downs meet MIL-STD 209J
4S/2M ABS
Lockable BII storage box on top of neck
Davit for raising/lowering spare tire/wheel between rear deck and ground
Molded electrical harness
Electrical, air and hydraulic lines installed after paint
LED lights
102 in. (8 ft 6 in.) overall width
Conspicuity reflective tape
Fully equalizing mechanical suspension system
Spare tire mounting location on the rear deck of the trailer (as with earlier variants)
The M870A3 will allow Engineer units the capability to transport heavy engineer construction equipment to project sites under adverse conditions in a timely manner. With its ease of loading and unloading, by a single operator, the M870A3 provides a productive, safe environment, in significantly less time over earlier M870 models.
Air actuated S-cam, two-shoe, expanding, self-centering with ABS
Suspension
Chalmers walking beam
Max Speed, Highway, 40-ton Load
55 mph (88.5 km/h)
Max Speed, Secondary/Gravel Roads, 40-ton Load
30 mph (48.3 km/h)
Table data from TM 5-2330-325-14&P
The full nomenclature for this trailer is TRAILER, MEDIUM HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTER (MHET), 40 Ton M870A3. The M870A3 was assigned NSN 2330-01-458-2061.
The Operator's, maintenance and parts manuals for the M870A2 include:
TM 5-2330-325-14&P Trailer, Medium Heavy Equipment Transporter (MHET), 40 Ton, M870A3
The M870A3 was manufactured by Kalyn Siebert, Inc.
