ENGINEERING TEST OF TRACTOR, CRAWLER, UNIVERSAL ENGINEER

Three universal engineer tractors were tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Standard performance tests, work rate tests, vehicle comparison tests, durability tests, and cold room tests were conducted. The performance and working ability of the vehicles were very satisfactory, meeting or exceeding all requirements. The requirements of reliability, durability, and maintenance were not met. Insufficiently durable and reliable vehicular components were the major problems experienced, practicularly in the hydraulic system and hydropneumatic suspension system. Although successful corrective modifications for many deficiencies were applied to the vehicles during this test, poor durability will necessitate major redesign of many vehicular components. It was recommended that design changes required to improve component durability be incorporated in the universal engineer tractor and that a check test be conducted to determine the efficacy of these modifications. (Author)