M870A1 - Daytons, luv em or hate em..

[zebedee]

Fill hub with gear oil before second wheel put on - a must unless hubcaps have center bung (red cap) - Last axle on drivers side, last pic.


All spiffey with new seals, bearings, tyres, tubes, flaps and blasted drums, hubs and rims.

Checking for runout. Spun by hand with calibrated stick! Then drop back on ground for sequencial tightening.

Well, thats one side finished. When it's mobile, I'll run it over the road, up to the shop for some body work/welding and a lick of paint. Also have to make up a rear wiring loom, repair airlines - someone had run them through a hole in the Kingpin plate and squished them!

 

[zebedee]

... and for anyone interested in this 'restoration' - yes, you can put me in the "rivet counters" pigeonhole. Agreed, the brakes are small by modern standards, yes the Dayton wheels/hubs are a relic of a by gone era, yes the tyre size is uncommon.
BUT, a correct restoration, for "as in service" period correct trailer, to go with my M916A1 tractor, to make up the LET combination (Light Equipment Tranporter), it is correct.
If this version is undesirable in todays world, it makes it more important to me (not so much $$$s) to preserve an example - IMHO!

Final stenciling will be to USAF - Gulf War. The 819 REDHORSE used LETs in the repaving of Prince Sultan Airbase.



[besides, one colour sand is easier to paint than 3 colour camo!]

Mods to the trailer would be nice - steps/hand holds in the gooseneck riser, wet line, rear under beaver tail locker, airbag rear axle lift, inboard 'D' rings, rear ramps but then all that would be right up there with changing to modern axles! ..... so, unless I hear from a REDHORSE veteran that they did X to their trailer, I'll go 'as is'...

 

[GopherHill]

Loved the calibrated stick! I used cans of oil. You remember when oil came in metal cans, right?

 

[Mullaney]

Loved the calibrated stick! I used cans of oil. You remember when oil came in metal cans, right?

.
Yes Sir - or a hammer stood up beside the tire works really well

 

[NDT]

Not to be picky but the LET used the 172 trailer while the 920 used the 870. Although I am sure the various components got all mixed up in service.

 

[zebedee]

There is stenciling on the 5th wheel slide for positioning both M870 and M172, TM lists both as well. Winch on rear also specifically required for 870.

 

[zebedee]

First time used in anger... couldn't quite time the loading with the senset.

 

[Mullaney]

View attachment 870897

View attachment 870898

First time used in anger... couldn't quite time the loading with the senset.

.
That makes a really nice Hay Hauler!

 

[NDT]

Stunning photo! Ah now I understand what tractor you have, the 920s were replaced by the 916A1 and would be considered the prime mover of either trailer.

 

[simp5782]

Seems the 870s just haul hay. Even the A2S

 

[swbradley1]

... and for anyone interested in this 'restoration' - yes, you can put me in the "rivet counters" pigeonhole. Agreed, the brakes are small by modern standards, yes the Dayton wheels/hubs are a relic of a by gone era, yes the tyre size is uncommon.
BUT, a correct restoration, for "as in service" period correct trailer, to go with my M916A1 tractor, to make up the LET combination (Light Equipment Tranporter), it is correct.
If this version is undesirable in todays world, it makes it more important to me (not so much $$$s) to preserve an example - IMHO!

Final stenciling will be to USAF - Gulf War. The 819 REDHORSE used LETs in the repaving of Prince Sultan Airbase.

View attachment 870789

[besides, one colour sand is easier to paint than 3 colour camo!]

Mods to the trailer would be nice - steps/hand holds in the gooseneck riser, wet line, rear under beaver tail locker, airbag rear axle lift, inboard 'D' rings, rear ramps but then all that would be right up there with changing to modern axles! ..... so, unless I hear from a REDHORSE veteran that they did X to their trailer, I'll go 'as is'...

What is it with you and horses?

 

[zebedee]

What is it with you and horses?

Growing up, all "The Americans" we saw locally were from RAF Weathersfield - used by USAF 819 REDHORSE - so I guess somewhere that red horse driving a bulldozer struck a chord!! I do like dozers too.
Oh.. and in my line of work, I enjoy the horses more than most of the owners!!!

 

[swbradley1]

i run a dozer for my Brother every once in a while and a friend has given me permission to run his track hoe, tracked end-loader, dozer and skid steer to start a pond for him.