I drove an FWD plow truck with a 6V53 in it with a 5 speed. Even though the exhaust exited at the rear of the truck you needed headphones to drive it, it was LOUD!!!! I think top speed was around 45mph, that sure was an experience!!
Even though I was an operator I was still a squad member and had to go with my squad on alerts etc so I got to ride in the PC with them because they did not usually require the dozer to go with them.The Howitzers still had the gas engines while I was there,either Ford or Leroi as I remember.The military was changing to the multifuel engines,we phased out the M-48 tanks for the M-60 and shortly after I left the M-113 with that big Chrysler V8 was replaced with the Detroits.Love that picture RonG !
My Dad was on an M109 Howitzer crew in 1969/70 . It was powered with 8V71 Detroit .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M109_howitzer#/media/File:Self-propelled-howitzer-vietnam.jpg
They used a lot of those M113's for support vehicles . He said when they would move to a different location He might ride on the M109 or hop on the M113 .
One thing distinctive about the 53 series is that many of them were set up for high RPM. If my memory serves me, governed speed on some cranes I worked on with 353's and 453's was 2800 RPM.
For people thinking of repowering former 53 series units with conventional diesel 2100 RPM engines, that's something that needs to be considered. A 20% reduction in pump GPM would certainly disappoint the operator.One 353 I have on a log loader is governed at 2700 running the hydraulic pump. I have two 453s working hydraulic pumps and they are both set at 2400.
For people thinking of repowering former 53 series units with conventional diesel 2100 RPM engines, that's something that needs to be considered. A 20% reduction in pump GPM would certainly disappoint the operator.
I started with Detroit, but that led to fixing trucks, which led to Cummins and Cats, which led to heavy equipment and welding, which led to tug and fishing boats. Did some operating too. It has been a long interesting ride.
For people thinking of repowering former 53 series units with conventional diesel 2100 RPM engines, that's something that needs to be considered. A 20% reduction in pump GPM would certainly disappoint the operator.