Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled

The Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled is a 4x4 articulating tractor with a tilt dozer blade and rear connections for a 20-yard scraper bowl. The Clark 290M was used in Vietnam, for road construction, defensive fortifications, and general construction activity. The tractor was also used as a prime mover or recovery vehicle due to its heavy rated drawbar pull capacity of 34,650 to 38,150 pounds.

The Clark 290M was powered by a Cummins 380hp, 855 cid six cylinder diesel engine (Model NT380) mated to the Clark four speed powershift transmission (Model 8420). The wheels were mounted on 70,500 pound capacity Clark planetary axles.

The Clark 290M was replaced in the U.S. military by the Caterpillar 830M or 830MB, a very similar wheeled tractor.

Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled photographed 29 March 2006 in Texas. Photo courtesy of Bob Pettit
Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled photographed 29 March 2006 in Texas. Photo courtesy of Bob Pettit.

Today in WW II: 21 Sep 1943 In the most bitter combat of the New Georgia campaign [Central Solomons], Japanese lose 600 men in an unsuccessful defense of Arundel Island, withdraw on 22 Sep.   

Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled, Diesel Engine Driven

The full nomenclature for the Clark 290M was Tractor, Wheeled, Industrial: Diesel Driven: Med DBP: W/Dozer, W/Backrip Scarifier, w/Drawbar, Trailer Pintle and Hydraulic Scraper Controls (Clark Model 290M) w/ROPS. The 290M was also called the Clark-Michigan 290M.

Manuals for the Clark 290M are numbered TM 5-2420-206-xx where the xx represents the maintenance level.

A pair of U.S. Army Clark 290M Tractors with scraper preparing railroad right of way, Vietnam
A pair of U.S. Army Clark 290M Tractors with scraper preparing railroad right of way, Vietnam.

Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled photographed 29 March 2006 in Texas. Text stenciled above the white star reads: CAUTION: Remove locks at base before moving tractor with scraper attached. Photo courtesy of Bob Pettit
Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled photographed 29 March 2006 in Texas. Text stenciled above the white star reads: "CAUTION: Remove locks at base before moving tractor with scraper attached." Photo courtesy of Bob Pettit.

Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled photographed 29 March 2006 in Texas. Photo courtesy of Bob Pettit
Clark 290M Tractor, Wheeled photographed 29 March 2006 in Texas. Photo courtesy of Bob Pettit.