The Mack M123 was a 10-ton 6x6semi-tractor introduced in 1955; the Mack M125 was a heavy cargo truck version of the M123. The M123 was used to tow tank transporter trailers while the M125 towed field artillery pieces.
History
In 1949 the US Army set a requirement for a family of extra heavy-duty 10‑ton off-road load rated 6x6 tactical trucks. Mack’s design, influenced by their WWII era NO, was chosen. Designed as an entire family, only the semi-tractor and cargo/prime mover were built. 392 M123s were built between 1955 and 1957 and 552 M125s in 1957 and 1958. In 1965 CONDEC began building 3188 diesel powered M123As, Mack began building 420 in 1968. In 1969 Mack then upgraded 210 gas engine models to diesel power. With the Army using more self‑propelled artillery, the need for prime movers was reduced, no follow‑up orders for M125s were made. Both M123s and M125s saw service in the Vietnam War. M123 tractors remained in Army service into the 1990s. In addition to the US Army, the M123 was used by the U.S. Marine Corps and exported to U.S. allies in such countries as Australia and Spain.
Specifications
Engine and driveline
All M123s and M125 built in the 1950s had a LeRoi T‑H844 engine, a Engine displacement| overhead valveV 8gasoline engine developing Horsepower| at 2600 rpm and of torque at 1700 rpm. M123A1s built in the 1960s had a Cummins V8‑300, a naturally aspirated V 8 diesel engine developing at 3000 rpm and torque at 2100 rpm. This engine was also retrofitted into M123s to make M123E2s. No M125s were converted to diesel power. The drivetrain was a repeat of that in the Mack NO, with a Mack TRDXT72 5 speedtransmission with the transfer case mounted solidly to the rear of the transmission. This transmission was direct in 5th. The transfer case had a 2.50:1 low range, engaged the front axle, and had a power take-off to operate the winch. The front axle was an unusual triple reduction type which did not need universal joints on the outer ends and allowed a tighter turning radius. The two rear axles were a double reduction type. Final drive ratios were 9.02:1 for gas powered trucks and 10.11:1 for diesels. All drivelines of both manufacturers were built by Mack.
Chassis
A ladder frame was used. The front beam axle was mounted on leaf springs, the rear tandem beam axles were mounted on a leaf sprung “walking beam” type suspension. All models shared a wheelbase. Full airdrum brakes were used, M123s were able to control the trailer brakes independently of the tractor. M125s had electrical connections for the artillery piece brakes. Tire size was 14.00x24. The main differences between various chassis was the location of the winches and fifth-wheels. Different M123 models had either one or two winches mounted behind the cab, all M125s had a single winch at the front. The M15A2 trailer the M123 was first intended to tow had a higher load plate and larger coupling pin than a standard semi-trailer. Early M123s had a larger fifth wheel mounted above the frame rails, but as more standard trailers were used the M123C and all following models had lowered fifth wheels. The pin remained larger, so any trailer towed by any M123 had to have an interchangeable pin. A standardized REO designed cab, also used in and 5‑ton trucks, was used. It had hinged doors with roll-up windows, a folding windshield, and a removable canvas roof. A hard roof could be fitted. With the same cabs and similar design fenders and hoods, the main visual difference between these three sizes was the size of the vehicle and the scale of the cab to the vehicle.
Models
M123
The M123 was used to tow semi-trailers carrying MBT's and as such superseded the M26 Pacific "Dragon Wagon" and semi-trailers carrying engineering equipment. Variants:
M123 had dual winches and high mounted fifth wheel, gasoline engine
M123C had a single mid-ship winch and low mounted fifth wheel, gasoline engine
M123D had dual mid-ship winches and low mounted fifth wheel, gasoline engine
M123A1 had a single rear winch and a V‑8 diesel engine.
M123A1C, built from 1965 to 1969 by CONDEC, had a diesel engine and single rear winch
M123E1 were M123's that were upgraded with the diesel engine.
M123E2 with dual rear winches, diesel engine
M125
The M125 succeeded the Mack NO as a heavy cargo transport vehicle; it also served as a prime mover towing the 155‑mm gun and 8‑in. howitzer. The chassis was designated M121. It had a steel cargo body with folding troop seats, bows and canvas cover. A single front-mounted Gar Wood DSA716 capacity winch was fitted, and a chain hoist at rear for handling ammunition.
