Hello folks
Here is a question about the M60 with M9 dozer blade. On Verlinden´s WARMACHINES series about M60A3 is shown pictures of this Dozer Blade Kit with some hydraulic unit mounted on the rear left fender. Verlinden also market a conversion kit for Tamiya´s M60A3
On all other M60 based vehicle including the A1 and M728, looks they do not have this unit on the rear left fender. Perhaps it is placed inside the hull engine compartment, or some place else.
What is correct to do? For a early M60A1 with dozer is required to have the hydraulic unit on the rear fender? On some pictures of early M60A1with M9 device attached, do not show this hydraulic unit on the rear left fender.
Was this also an early version of hydraulics? A new one came out with M60A3?
tia
Aldo

The Hydrolics are in the Hull on the M728. I think all other M60's need the unit on the fender.

So, Academy´s kit no. 1390 is missing all fender mounted hydraulic unit.
But the problem is that. When you see picture of early M60´s M60A1 and even M48´s which the system derivates from, is not visible anything over the fender.
Here’s also another question. If M728 came up before M60A3, and they had only internal hydraulics, why M60 would be different if they are very closed in basic design?

Not satisfied with the answers on M-L? Truth won't change. The M48 used a different blade system than the M60 series. I have very limited information regarding the M8 tank dozer blade used on the M48 series tanks.

The CEV has a permanently affixed blade system with the hydraulic system going through the front slope of the lower hull. The hydraulic system sits next to the driver in a spot where a normal tank (M60, M60A1, M60A3) would have hull ammo storage.

The M9 dozer blade kit on an M60A1/A3 tank is a temporary attachment and theoretically, if the primary blade tank was inoperable, the blade kit could be cross-leveled to another tank with some modifications. The hydraulics come from the front of the tank, under the left side road wheel arms enter the left engine access panel. See photos below:



While the M728 CEV did come before the M60A3, the CEV is a purpose built engineer vehicle based on the M60A1. It has modifications made to it unique to that vehicle. An M60A3 is basically a modernized M60A1.

Dear Sabot
What could be better then this? Well, more pages with details.
Regarding why the unit is external to the tank hull, the reason to replace the equipment from a disable vehicle to another one in combat conditions, is very clear.
How ever, watching the system , looks there’s a pump inside the hull rear that pressurize the oil from the tube 3802. and deliver at working pressure thru the small diameter tube to the front hull control box.
It also looks the returning oil comes thru the large diameter from front box to the reservoir. Which might be the box placed where usually is located the rear fender stowage box.
The reservoir oil inlet and outlet tubing might have some valves and are enclosed on the two piece cover.
Continuing this guessing game, the oil for this system would be excusive to that. Looks the tank’s regular hydraulics uses a low flammable oil, developed to improve tank protection level, so maybe this oil were not correct to work with the blade system.
Every better detail about the system would be great
Thanks a lot
Aldo