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Old Iron News
February 1, 2022
A Forgotten Tractor Built For The United States Military
January 19, 2022
By: Dan Boomgarden
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It’s doubtful any of these military tractors still exist. This tractor was built around 1919 by the Republic Motor Truck Company and is fitted with wheels by the P-T Wheel Company of America, Dayton, Ohio.
In 1919 Republic had already built thousands of trucks for the United States military. These “liberty trucks” were built for use in World War 1. By 1918 one out of every nine trucks was a Republic and became recognized as the largest truck manufacturer in the world.
Side view showing pad arrangement on rear wheels with separate cases for each compression spring, also steering gear bracket.
What makes the Republic Military Tractor so innovative is the P-T Wheels. These wheels were patented by two Italian engineers in 1915.
P-T self-lying-track type of wheel. Note series of pads successively laid down form continuous tracks on which wheels rolls. Mfg. by the P-T Wheel Company of America, Dayton Ohio.
The wheels operate similar to track-type tractors. The inner wheel has a series of compression springs that hold the track pads in place and allow flexibility over rough terrain. The design is such that the wheel always has continuous contact with the ground, creating greater traction.
Rear three-quarter view, showing how two pads on each rear wheel are flat on ground at one time giving approximately 350 square inches of traction surface on each wheel. It also shows clutch and accelerator pedals with respect to floor boards.
It’s unknown how many of these tractors were built, but photos show the tractors were used in Italy in 1919.
This series of photos gives a great historical record of this forgotten tractor.
Front three-quarter view showing radiator spring suspension.
Front view of tractor with right front wheel passing over couple of boulders. Shows the flexibility of the front axle with respect to frame, also height of machine with respect to a man’s height.
Rear view showing drawbar arrangement and chains to draw bar assembly which come into use in turning corners, etc.
Bird’s eye view of rear end showing rear axle assembly with respect to frame.
Assembling the tractor. Shows spring suspension for rear axle, and axle frame bracket.
Transmission and rear axle, open, showing how gears are arranged, also brake drums.
Rear axle units showing inside of wheels and method of securing full gears to them, also 4 inch axle shaft, transmission shifting levers, etc.
Republic Military Tractor class B trucks in the background, Alma, Michigan. Equipped with P-T Wheels manufactured by the P-T Wheels Company of America, Dayton, Ohio.
Crossing a ditch in a Military Tractor made by Republic Motor Truck Company, Inc., equipped with P. T. Wheels manufactured by the P-T Wheel Company of America, Dayton, Ohio.
Manufacturing wheels for government tractors. Italian military tractor equipped with P-T Wheels.
Manufacturing wheels for government tractors. Italian military tractor equipped with P-T Wheels.
Hauling a 30 ton load at a speed of 7 miles per hour on a dirt road with a military tractor made by the Republic Motor Truck Company Inc. equipped with P. T. Wheels Company of America, Dayton, Ohio
