Hi Gents,

This is the first time I see such a configuration of stowage boxes on the side of a HET tractor :





These are print screens from that VDO from 2 minutes of the beginning : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQLXI0ke9Bk

Have you ever seen such stowage (I guess) boxes before, is it mainstream or a field modification ?

Makes the tractor lot more wider than it already is !!!

Best regs,

Richard

It almost looks like a one off of external fuel tanks or something like that...

Interesting!
curious about what it could be!

I do not think are extra fuel tank, look like counterweight.
From the second picture you can see rail and special lock on the tank, maybe it can be used to give traction to the front or real wheel by moving tha tank
Ciao
Piero

Counterweight to get the center of gravitvy of the M1070 down
in order to reduce rolling over accident

nice idea of dio BTW

I also think that's are ballast extra weights. They increase the truck towing capabilities.

Damn! How fast do those things usually go so that it would roll over like that?

Hisham

Hi Hisham

You can watch some loaded HETs speeding around in this video :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZUTl3e2c6Y

H.P.

Thanks for the link, Frenchy... I was under the impression they drive them slower than that... especially while loaded and going through turns!

Hisham

Thanks for the information

So I guess these counterweights are somehow commonly used.

That is a very cool feature anyway, making the already bulky HET looking like it's on steroid !



Richard

I dont know if I would say commonly used. I spent a year in Iraq, with an Engineer Battalion, as a Convoy Security Team TC, and never saw one. That was 09-10 though.. this could be something new. I am curious to find out for sure though, because i am not convinced its counterweight. If it was that much counterweight on the tractor, It is doubtful that it would be useful to haul tanks. Consider that that tank would most likely be filled with water as the weight ( 8.34 lb /gal) that looks like about a 100 gallon tank. 1600 extra (round numbers) pounds of weight means that thats 1600 extra pounds you arent taking in either fuel or cargo. I also wonder about that trolley system.. Not sure why you would want to move weight.. because as it moves it changes the CG ... not closer to the ground, but forward and aft.... not sure why that would help.... Lastly,, if that thing was forward, it would effectively block the drivers and passengers door from operating..... not sure thats a great idea either. I tried getting the low down, but its not in any of the manuals I have researched sofar ( I have a buddy who went through HET school and was licensed to drive it, waiting on him to look)

I've seen them before but can't seem to find any info on them online. I think they were mounted on some of the contractor trucks that carried supplies into Iraq. They appear to be a variation of the crew protection kit (CPK). Makes sence to me...

1) they are mounted on a rail that is attached to the frame, taking the weight of the additional armor off of the door hinges and allowing more weight/more armor

2) the rail allows them to slide forward and back to allow access for fueling, maintenance, and access to the crew compartment

3)additional armor being attached to the doors would push the door into the vehicle if hit by an IED/EFP.

So, my vote is for additional armor

Steven

I worked HET in Iraq and never saw anything like that. Toward the end, we started seeing the RPG door standoff armor, and different Duke counter RCIED antennas, but nothing resembling that contraption. As far as a counterweight, I kind of doubt, as that system is fully capable of handling M1 combat loaded tanks, and all kinds of other heavy stuff without any problem. Oh, BTW, that wreck shot is interesting. Wonder what happened.....
Regards,
Larry

Hi all
came across of another picture today with this modification. My money is on extra fuel tank, probably for a long runs without possibility of refueling along the way, ,maybe at the end when all equipment has been withdraw from Iraq:

Interesting pic and bit of info on the external box. It clear in the last pic (above) that box is meant to move back and forth, but what is the purpose of it...?? Come on folks, someone her got to know what's it for

Above pic would make a great dio! Expensive and big.

Redprol

could it be a better version of this CPK? there are some plates mounted on the door of the HET

see at 2:20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWXnkUuEEEc

Hi,
Has anybody found out what these boxes stand for ?

Richard

It could be for traction purposes like adding sand bags to the back of a pickup. Slide them back for the rear axles to get a better bite. Slide them forward to unload the suspension.

I searched and drew a blank as to what they are

I'm going to agree with this post, and vote for additional or improved armor. This makes the most sense to me. The blocks kind of remind me of the armor mounted to some of the Buffalos in Iraq. Just my guess though.

Shaun