halftrackinfo

general discussion => what's on your mind? => Topic started by: FrankUSMC on May 22, 2012, 06:40:58 PM

Title: What else was the halftrack used for?
Post by: FrankUSMC on May 22, 2012, 06:40:58 PM

After reading the posts below on how halftracks, or parts of halftracks were used to power ski lifts, got me to thinking, and the beers I had tonight got me to thinking "what else were they used for?"
Back in the mid 1980s, for those of us, who servived the 1970s, I had the chance to meet a surplus dealer who bought halftracks in europe. He would buy the halftrack, then cut it up and sell the vehicle for scrap. He would only bring back the boogie wheels. He said he would sell them to boat yards. They would mount the wheels on the ramps at the boat yards. Then they would pull big boats out of the water on them. This dealer raced sailing yachts, so he knew boats. This same dealer dealer had stacks of WWII wrecker booms, told me he would buy the WWII wrecker, cut them up and sell the booms. He said he only brought one wrecker back from europe, and he lost money on it, so he would cut them up.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

Title: Re: What else was the halftrack used for?
Post by: steve-0 on May 22, 2012, 06:50:33 PM

well i still haven't figured out what this one was used for.
located in france.



(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/6857928286_b7c11a49eb_b.jpg)


(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/6857928290_4106fb3d70_b.jpg)

Title: Re: What else was the halftrack used for?
Post by: WayOffTrack on May 22, 2012, 07:32:18 PM

Quote

Back in the mid 1980s, for those of us, who servived the 1970s, I had the chance to meet a surplus dealer who bought halftracks in europe. He would buy the halftrack, then cut it up and sell the vehicle for scrap. He would only bring back the boogie wheels. He said he would sell them to boat yards. They would mount the wheels on the ramps at the boat yards. Then they would pull big boats out of the water on them.

I remember hearing that story from Gary Odell.  :)

Title: Re: What else was the halftrack used for?
Post by: Outsider on May 23, 2012, 05:00:38 AM

Quite the nice cable layer there! Reel with cable goes on the crossbar in the back at the top. Cable then goes over the cab, around the long roller in the front and to the vibratory cable plow in the back. Bet that sucker could pull a cable through anything.

BTW, That cable plow looks newer that black and white photos.

Steve

Title: Re: What else was the halftrack used for?
Post by: steve-0 on May 24, 2012, 05:22:27 AM

Quote from: Outsider on May 23, 2012, 05:00:38 AM

Quite the nice cable layer there

that makes sense now... thanks