New Military Class 8 Tractors

[mwilson]

Just got back from a business trip to Charlotte, NC. and look what landed here while I was out... .



These will stand any surprises from underneath a lot better than the old trucks.



Picture 4 ... . Note the 24 Volt LED Headlites



Picture 5 ... . Note the plate steel on the firewall where the base of the hoodlatch is bolted.

 

[mwilson]

It uses a Western Star sleeper cab and believe it or not that is a Western Star hood. Looks funny with out the grill surrounds and having the recesses for the dual headlites.



Did a little research this morning and the hood is a Western Star Austrailian Design.



Check out the Western Star Australia website if you don't believe me.



Truck is branded as a Freightliner though.



Entire cab is mounted on a steel plate, will not take any closer pictures of the design, let the towelheads figure it out on their own. I will say it is a very clever design.



Only showing what can be seen if you were passing it on the road in a car for example.



Picture 3 ... Military Door Lock Device



Picture 4 ... Front sway bar, never seen one on a Class 8 before. I have an idea this truck is frigin' heavy.



Trucks have 60 series Detroit Diesel engines, no emissions!! Apparently a Regen might be a poor idea in the middle of a battle scenario. Just sayin'!!!!!!!!

Not to mention the heat signature from a parked regen... ... .



Mike.

 

[mwilson]

Just found the link to the spec sheet on Freightliner.com.



I like how the fuel mileage is expressed as "300 ton-miles per gallon". Have to try to figure out my pick-up's mileage that way... . :-laf.



This is an M915A5. The steel that is under this one is called an "A" kit which is standard.



Go all the way down the sheet to see one fitted with the "B" kit which is optional.



Link here.

Daimler Trucks North America government and military vehicles - Freightliner Military Products, M915A3



Mike.

 

[HBarlow]

Mike,

Why do you have them? Are they in for service or did your dealership buy them as military surplus?

What drivetrain? Are they tandem axle tractors?

 

[mwilson]

They are in here for Pre-Delivery Inspections, the paper serial number identifiers are still in the windshield so they are brand spankin' new.



I suspect that the military brings them to the closest dealer for the PDI's, it looks like the wheels have all been off which does not happen to civilian trucks on the way to the dealer. Maybe Uncle Sam uses rail to transport the new Military trucks as close to the assigned area as possible.



They may be destined for the Air Refueling Wing here or the National Guard.



They also keep several tractors up here for Navy duty to transport the 40' shore power gensets that are required for the ships at certain times. Those containers have a pair of Volvo 6-cyl Diesels in each one.



Yes they are tandem, 500 HP 60 Series Detroit Diesel with an Allison 6-speed Auto.

Check out the spec sheet in the link above, pretty neat stuff.



These are a very new Military truck model, first that I have seen or heard of.



Will grab some shots of the drives and suspensions Monday. I was simply fascinated by the use of the armor plates and the strange hood so I didn't even make it to the drives... ... ...



Mike.

 

[CUMMINZ]

They build those trucks at the plant in Cleveland, NC just north of Charlotte.