10 Ton Tractor M123 info

[Carlo]

HELP In 2 months I have the chance to bid on a M123 in Germany. Anyone out there have one and can give me some intel on these please?

 

[Danger Ranger]

First, be careful using the word help, esp capitalized. Second, you might want to watch the bidding comment.

Second, here is a link to the SS search page: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/search.php?search_type=1
and one to Google: https://www.google.com/
and one to Olive Drab: http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m123.php
Ok, maybe that was a bit much but seriously though, do a search, there is lots of info on these. And there are many very informative threads here on them.

Good luck

 

[Kalashnikov]

Parts aren't very easy to find but not impossible. The front axle, on mine anyways, has ton of leaks. Actually it has many leaks all over the place. It starts easily in warm weather without the glow plugs, even without full fuel filters. They are pretty easy to get the hang of shifting even though they are non-synchro. It was the first time I drove a non-synch. The main issues I had was getting into gear! If the truck has been sittng a while or it has a fuel leak expect to have to play with the throttle to keep it running when idling. My truck SMOKED out 3 lanes of a highway when I drove it home. It was enough where I couldn't see the tailing truck/he had to close the windows! The PTO to engage the winch is a PITA sometimes.

When I was looking at mine AMGeneral told me to watch for these:

Driveline bolts working loose,1,R and high range have a tendancy to fly out of gear when they get worn

PTO and output bearings wear out quickly

Make dang sure the oil pump in the drop box works-See if the trans heats up quickly

Does it have the trans oil cooler in front of the radiator? MVO for the later trucks- It would be bolted to the upper grill section

Recognition of the leaking transmission syndrome is easy. As soon as you use the truck enough for the oil to heat up, it starts running out of the bottom of the bell housing profusely.


I enjoy the truck a lot I just wish I had more time to make it more roadworthy. The front main currently leaks about a gallon of oil to cross town and the fuel tanks are full of crud. Oh yea, and it's SLOW so long trips take...longer.

 

[Jim Hunter]

What exactly do you want to know about them ?

Jim

 

[Carlo]

Thanks for the info.

These trucks in question are gas powered and I think V8. There is a lot of interest in them and Im not sure I will get them for these a lot of interest. Im worried they will go to scrap for the price of iron is super high right now and these trucks are heavy.

I made my offer and now we wait.

I will keep you posted and thanks again.