Hello all,
It has been a while since I've been on here but I thought I would post up some good news!!
Over on the G503 website that is devoted to restoring and collecting antique Military Vehicles, there has been quite a fight in trying to get new WWII military Half -Track tracks manufactured. The original NOS tracks and even the later manufactured Israeli tracks have just about dried up for those machines.
After a lot of work and lots of discussion, there seems to be two different companies (one American and one in Europe)that are looking into setting up to start manufacturing NEW tracks for the Half-Tracks. Sounds like the American company may be open to the idea of building a run of tracks long enough (just add 16 more pitches to a Half-Track track!) to fit on the Cletrac M2 Medium High Speed Tractor.
From what I last read (this A.M.) the American company has agreed to start building tracks for the Half-Tracks and has received the additional info for the Cletrac length tracks. It was stated ---"It is a small leap from Half-Track to HST tracks. I suspect M2 tracks might be available soon."
The simple way would be to just make the Half-Track track longer for the Cletrac. This simplifies the manufacturing process( beggars can't be choosers?). They would work for us but would not be "correct" as they would not have the bolt on pads. That's okay- works for me! BUT- there has even been some discussion about building tracks that would take the pads at a later date. This will add to the cost as there is more labor and material cost in building tracks with the pads. Estimated cost at this point for a straight (but long enough for us) Half-Track band looks to be in the $3000.00 range right now PER TRACK!. If more people show an interest (that's us folks!), the cost per unit may very well go down.
Yep! that's an OUCH for sure but, there is NO OTHER realistic alternative out there-- NONE! It has been an unbelievable fight just to get Half-Track tracks built and for us Cletrac owners to be able to "catch a ride on their shirt-tail" looks to be our only chance to a viable source for new tracks for our machines. This will probably be our ONLY chance for new tracks -EVER-. PERIOD! With replacement tracks available, the Cletrac M2's value will go up in popularity and price. No tracks? Well--nice yard art ya got there buddy!
If you own a Cletrac M2 Medium High Speed Tractor and are interested in new replacement tracks I would encourage you to look into this. We need to get enough Cletrac owners to step up and let them know we want tracks so they will build some for us.SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------!!
Go over to G503, look at the "tracked" vehicle forum. Go into "who needs new tracks". Also look at "Who needs new tracks for their Half Tracks" (the last few pages as there are 74 pages!) Also, " U.S. Distributor- new production Half-Track tracks for sale"
Or PM me here and well talk, exchange phone numbers etc.
Thanks Jim