Steyr-Puch Haflinger
The Steyr-Puch Haflinger is a small, light off-road vehicle with all-wheel drive from the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG . It was produced from 1959 to 1974 and mainly delivered as a military vehicle to the Austrian Armed Forces and the Swiss Army , but also built in various civilian versions. The Haflinger was developed primarily for use in the mountains.
history
The Steyr-Puch “Haflinger”, named after the famous Haflinger mountain horse breed , is the result of discussions at a demonstration of motorcycles for the Austrian army . Erich Ledwinka , the son of the prominent automobile and long-time Tatra chief designer Hans Ledwinka, was responsible for the design . The internal manufacturer designation is AP 700 (short wheelbase) or AP 703 (long wheelbase). The letter combination stands for "Allrad - Platform".
The Haflinger depending on the wheelbase of about 2.85 and 3.15 meters long, 1.35 meters wide and is built from one in the rear, air-cooled two-cylinder - piston engine with 643 cc displacement and initially 22 and later 24 and last 27 PS driven . It has a central tubular frame similar to that of the Tatra trucks and weighs around 600 kg when empty, has a payload of around 500 kg and a trailer load of around 350 kg and can be fitted with various bodies. As a municipal vehicle with a reinforced chassis, frame and brake booster, the payload is around 1200 kg.
The Haflinger turned out to be a surprising success and was produced in different versions. In addition to the military versions for Switzerland , Austria , Sweden , Indonesia and Australia, there were also various models in the civil sector. These include As the "Municipal Haflinger" (mostly with the solid polyester - Cab delivered), the "Tropical Haflinger" with an additional cyclone - air filter on the snout or the countries executions in accordance with the respective regulations of other countries, such as the "Pathfinder" with “ frog eyes ” ( sealed beam headlights ) for the USA , the Italy version called “Steyr-Puch 700AP” with “croissant indicators ” and the right-hand drive for Great Britain . In addition, Haflinger horses in special designs were delivered to fire brigades and mountain rescue services .
Despite its small dimensions, the Haflinger was also used as a weapon platform by some armed forces. The Austrian Armed Forces used it as a mount for a heavy Browning M2 - MG or a recoilless gun of the M18 type. The armies of Switzerland and Sweden equipped him with some unusual armament, six forward and a further eight rear-facing anti-tank missiles of the BANTAM type from Bofors .
Military and off-road fans appreciate the all-wheel drive vehicle as extremely off-road. The Haflinger has two separate differential locks and an independent wheel suspension on forked portal - pendulum half axles with coil springs all around, so that there is a large ground clearance even with small wheel sizes. Each semi-axis has about 25 cm of freedom of movement, the final transmission takes place in the wheel hubs .
Special advantages of the vehicle include:
- Low center of gravity due to the low central tube chassis and the lack of an upper body structure
- Generous approach angles at the front and rear as well as favorable ramp angles in the middle, which make it easier to cross obstacles
- The two separate differential locks allow progress of the vehicle even if only a single wheel traction has
- The portal axles lead to an axle center above the wheel center, which increases the ground clearance without having to rely on larger wheels
- The wheel suspension is completely independent on all four wheels and offers a maximum of possible traction with a great ability to twist.
The disadvantage of the vehicle, however, is the comparatively low engine power and the associated low top speed of 75, 64, 58 or even only 52 km / h (depending on the gearbox and axle ratio), so that it is less suitable for longer journeys, which is why lovers buy their Haflinger Nowadays, for longer journeys to meetings, etc., preferably transport with trailers or small trucks.
The "big brother" of the Haflinger, which at first glance looks like an enlarged version of the Haflinger, was later marketed under the name Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer . The Pinzgauer was (and still is) optionally available with three driven axles with the 6x6 drive formula and is still one of the most off-road vehicles ever.
An “H2”, ie a “Haflinger 2”, was planned as the successor to the small off-road vehicle, but was no longer implemented in the originally planned concept. This eventually became the Puch G or the identical Mercedes-Benz G-Class , which is still produced in the Magna plant in Graz today.
A total of 16,647 vehicles of all variants were produced by the Steyr-Puch Haflinger between 1959 and 1974.
Haflinger today
Many retired army vehicles were gradually bought up by classic car enthusiasts all over the world. Especially in southern Germany , Austria and Switzerland there are regular rallies and meetings of Haflinger owners. A broad scene of enthusiasts of this vehicle has established itself in these countries, but there are also a number of owners in Great Britain , the USA , Canada , Australia and Asia . One of the most famous and important club meeting is held every year in Hafling (Avelengo) at Meran in South Tyrol ( Northern Italy held).
The director Nikolaus Geyrhalter says that he was able to bring the film equipment up to practically every mountain with his “Haflinger” if the production did not allow a helicopter to be used.
Steyr-Puch Haflinger in the Johann Puch Museum Graz
Haflinger in the Army History Museum
Steyr-Puch "Pathfinder" (USA version), built in 1971
Haflinger with fiberglass cabin built in 1976
Haflinger horses in the circular route of the Lünersee
The trainer for the Swiss Army (Johann Puch Museum Graz)
Steyr-Puch "Pathfinder" in Gottsgut, Tyrol
variants
The Haflinger was basically only slightly changed during its production time, but there were some significant changes and variants:
- Series 1: 4-speed gearbox (original model)
- Series 2: 5-speed gearbox with crawler gear and higher engine output, with a longer wheelbase on request
- Polycab: delivery with a fully enclosed fiberglass cab upon request
- Schneewiesel: The wheel chassis was replaced by two small crawler tracks for use on snow and ice , manufactured by the mechanical engineering company Kahlbacher , a total of 81 units were built.
- Swiss military: hybrid version made from elements of the 1st and 2nd series as well as special bumpers , tarpaulin roof and other details
- USA version: "Pathfinder" model with "bugeye" - sealed beam headlights and other modifications according to US regulations
