M1 / M1A1 Heavy Wreckers and Accessories

[kw573]

Why are they spherical? Not attach to teh front axle?

An army recovery mechanic told me that the claws on the tow 'A' frame are designed to attach to the tow hooks on vehicles such as 2 1/2ton GMCs etc. I was skeptical, as it looks like it should go on the tubular front axle, but the arms are not long enough. We tried it out at an MJCQ swap meet a few years ago. The boys had tied a timber board to the front bumper of a Studebaker US6 and put the claws on that. Yeah, it worked, . . sort of. We then tried it on the tow hooks as I had been instructed. Worked like a beauty! But knocked the paint around a bit. If I can find a picture, I'll post it.
I'm looking for the one-sided pulleys that are for the hook cables on a 969. Anyone?
Have a nice day. Sam.

[kw573]

Can anyone help me find new/NOS rear brake chamber diaphragms for my KW573 (aka WLF) heavy wrecker? They are Bendix-Westinghouse part number 200001, 9" diameter with 18 holes, 1/4"dia. around the edge. I need two, but will get spares if the price is right. My truck has had 'Maxi-brakes' fitted to the leading rear axle, so I only need the diaphragms for one axle.
What about a dealer, preferably in USA? BTW, I discovered ArmycarsHolland won't ship to Australia. Hmmm.
Happy trucking.
Sam.

[Osgood]

Sam - that part number is still good and still a current production item (since 1921 according to the drawing - not a bad run!). Find your nearest Bendix Westinghouse distributor. Company known as Knor-Bremse in Europe - guess it is still Bendix in USA? I'm just abut to order some here in UK.

Tony

[kw573]

Thanks Tony,
I'll give that a spin. I do know that prices can vary tremendously. When seeking the rear diaphragms for the 969, prices started at USD35ea. and went up to USD110ea.! As my finances for this is limited to my week-to-week income, I do need to sniff around a bit to get at least good 'bang-for-my-buck' just so the re-build doesn't bog down in poverty!
Sam.

[kw573]

Well Tony,
after some searching, it seems that BW200001 is not available in Australia! The (probably) largest brake parts supplier in Australia told me they have tried and failed to obtain these in the past!
And Knor-Bremse are wholesale only Down-under. Their retailers throw their hands up in frustration when asked for such and old listing. Hmmm. . . .

And listings of BW suppliers in Oz was also a dead end.

But thanks for the suggestion.

So, would anyone be able recommend to me a supplier who will deal with small overseas orders and is known to be competitively priced?

Thank you.

Sam.

[kw573]

Hi Captain Crank,

Those pictures of a possible M1A1 vice interest me greatly as . . .
. . about a year ago, a bloke I know told me he had an M1A1 vice. He got it from a man who had driven a Kenworth Heavy Wrecker in the Australian army for 20 years. This man probably kept it when he left the military. Anyway, I finally got a look at it and took pics.
It is a Reed No. 204 almost identical to the one in your pics. However, it has 4 mounting holes and 4" jaws.
(will post pics later)

Although I can't find the reference at the moment, I have seen a note that says it is a 5" vice. That may have been a M1 reference, not M1A1.

Also, I would be very interested in seeing the pic of the bracket. As you know, I use one that I designed myself.

Have a nice day,

[40 Chevy]

Sam;

Did you ever get your rear brake diaphrams for your WLF?

John G

[kw573]

Hi John,

Haven't heard from you for a while. Hope all is well.
No, haven't got the diaphragms as yet. They seem to be too hard for Australian suppliers to get. So I still need a pair.

Captain Crank, this is the vice I found.







Do you still have some of those siren bits you mentioned a while back?

Sam.

[40 Chevy]

Sam;

PM Sent

John G

[kw573]

BTT

[kw573]

BTT

[Osgood]

Sam - I'm just about to order more diaphragms. As best as I can tell the current price for 200001 is around £34 each plus 20% vat del. to UK

[kw573]

Hi Osgood,
Thanks. That is good of you to think of me.

40 Chevy kindly supplied me with them to get me going again, so I am right at this time.

However, I would like to find a base and/or motor (6v or 12v) for the siren light that goes on the drivers mudguard of the M1A1.
I circled them in the pic below.



Do you have a truck that you could post a pic/s for us to drool over?

If you are in the northern hemisphere, I hope you are enjoying your summer in all things MV.

Sam.

[Osgood]

No problem, Sam. Have you tried http://www.sirenman.com ? John Dorgan - a very helpful guy, I'm sure he'd post to Oz!!

Oh heck - just opened the link to check and it says he passed away May this year. Such a nice guy, it was a pleasure to speak with him and he supplied me with a lovely unit which he'd rebuilt for my M1 Series 4. He had loads of spares. My thoughts go out to his family.

Here's the Series 4 - she's been waiting very patiently in the dry for quite a while now

M6,WLF 009.jpg (204.96 KiB) Viewed 186 times

M6,WLF 008.jpg (188.95 KiB) Viewed 186 times

[kw573]

Osgood,
Yes, I had contacted Sirenman in the past, briefly, by email, asking about siren parts. I was told that I'd only find some if someone was wrecking a siren. Either way, I'm sure many people greatly benefited from his specialist experience, respect and resources.

Another beautiful truck, waiting in the wings. It has the distinctly WLF brush guard with the pointed top, a feature that became a lot less pronounced in the series 5. So much so that it sometimes takes a second look to pick a WLF series 5 truck from a Kenworth 573 truck.

The ground anchors seen painted white, on the passenger side of the rear body in your picture are another very scarce item down-under.

Thanks,
Sam.