Sour MH4
The Saurer MH4 was a military vehicle of the Swiss Army , which was manufactured by Adolph Saurer AG and was used by the troops from 1945 to 1985.
technology
The M4, Saurer's factory designation 4MH ( 4- wheel vehicle, M for military version , H for rear engine), was primarily developed as a towing vehicle for 7.5 cm howitzers . The vehicle had permanent four-wheel drive , bevel gear differentials front and rear. Many parts corresponded to the design of the Saurer M6 and M8. The engine was almost identical, but had two fewer cylinders.
The 1946 model had the proven Saurer CR1DM four-cylinder in-line engine with 70 hp, the newer 1952 model had the CR2DM engine with 75 hp. All M4 were equipped with a front cable winch with a pulling force of 2,500 kg and a cable length of 70 meters. The rope pull was only possible forwards. This first model had three bucket seats behind the driver's cab, one behind the other, with space for ammunition, material and tools in the middle. The tarpaulin roof on tubular steel frame was open at the sides.
The 1952 model had a small loading bridge with folding side shutters between the driver's cab and the engine. At the front and back of this bridge there was a foldable bench seat for 4 people, the payload increased by around 600 kg to 2,250 kg. In this case, the fuel tank was also arranged differently, the content increased from 70 to 100 liters. A new front section and a modified hood were also improvements. The five-speed gearbox and the steering remained unchanged. Since the engine was installed at the rear, the steering was relatively smooth and there was a good view of the front.
The tight seating arrangement on the 4MH was also due to the design. In order to achieve the lowest possible vehicle silhouette, the seats were arranged inside - and not above the wheel arches . As a result, there was only space left in the center of the vehicle. The stability in the field was, compared to the M6 and M8-Saurern, much better despite the almost identical central tubular frame. In terms of off-road capability, it was in no way inferior to its multi-wheel brothers M6 and M8. The rear engine is also an advantage when pulling heavy loads off-road. One vehicle is now in the Swiss Military Museum in Full , another in the Zuger depot for technical history . Some Saurer MH4 were converted to fire fighting vehicles and were used by various civil fire departments.
Technical specifications
1946 model
- Length: 5160 mm
- Width: 1950 mm
- Height: 2200 mm
- Empty weight: 4290 kg
- Payload: 1500 kg
- Total weight: 5790 kg
- Wheelbase : 2900 mm
- Saurer engine, type CR 1 DM 4 cylinder in-line engine, four-stroke, direct injection
- Displacement : 5322 cm³
- Power: 51.5 kW / 70 hp at 1900 min -1 . Max torque 290 Nm at 1200 min -1
- Tank capacity: 70 liters, on the vehicle's longitudinal axis in the material compartment, fill in from the left
- Trailer load: 5900 kg
- Top speed: 70 km / h
- Electrical system: 24 volt 2 batteries of 12 volt 105 Ah
- Seats: 1 driver, 1 auxiliary driver, 6 men on the bridge in individual bucket seats
literature
- Markus Hofmann: Vehicles of the Swiss Army , 2015, ISBN 978-3-033-05038-9 .
- Detailed article at swissmotor.com (also source of many of the above information)
- Klaus Fischer: Fire fighting vehicles in Switzerland . Fire brigade archive. Verlag Technik Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-341-01250-8
