The great majority of motor vehicles involved in General Pershing's punitive expedition into Mexico in 1916 and 1917 had wheels - with cargo trucks, ambulances, and staff cars predominating. There were tracked types too, and they were awesome! The Holt Tractor Company, subsequently known by the name Caterpillar, was producing a series of semi-tracked prime movers. These had a relatively small, steel wheel out front which was expected to help in the steering effort. The tracks could also be slowed independently to provide the basic steering. These monsters, which were purchased in 10, 15, and 20 ton capacities, were intended to be used just like a large team of draft animals might have been: to pull trailers loaded with cargo over the long distances required to provide logistical support to the government forces operating deep in Mexico. Animals had proven to be impractical due to heat, food, water, and distance considerations. Motor trucks, while agile, fast, and reliable, were restricted to a maximum load of perhaps two or three tons. Motor trucks also bogged down easily in adverse terrain.
The track-laying tractor became an important element in the logistical plans of General Pershing, since they were able to pull multiple trailers for very long distances. About 230 of the big tracklayers were purchased, but not many were needed: their immense 6-cylinder, 120 horsepower engines, extra low gearing, and good traction allowed them to pull as many as ten fully loaded trailers, for a gross train weight of up to 60,000 pounds, at two to three miles per hour! The big Holts were successful enough that by 1920, they had been officially included in the inventory of the Ordnance Corps, and training manuals were being issued.
>Танчик №2
The Ford 3 ton
Specifications
Crew_______ 2
Weight_____ 3.1tons
Dimensions length with tail 13' 10"
___________width 5' 3"
___________height 5' 3"
Armor______ .5"
Armament___ 1 x .30cal Browning 1919
Powerplant_ 2 x Ford model T engines
Performance maximum road speed (8 mph)