| M578: General | |||
| Manufacturers |
|
Crew |
|
| M578: Dimensions | |||
| Combat weight | 54,000lbs 24,000kg |
Height over MG with crane in travel position | 130.5" 331.5cm |
| Length without crane | 219.8" 558.3cm |
Crane overhang forward in travel position | 30.5" 77.5cm |
| Width | 124.0" 315.0cm |
Tread | 106.0" 269.2cm |
| Ground clearance | 17.4" 44.2cm |
Ground pressure, zero penetration | 10.1psi .709kg/cm² |
| M578: Armament | ||||
| Type | Mount | Ammunition | Traverse | Elevation |
| .50cal M2HB MG | Flexible in caliber .50 MG mount 7046650 on rigger's cupola | 500 rounds | 360° (3manual) |
~+85° to ~-15° (manual) |
| M578: Armor | ||
| Assembly | ||
| Welding | ||
| Hull | ||
| Rolled homogeneous steel | ||
| Location | Thickness | Angle from vertical |
| Front | .5" 1.3cm |
0° |
| Driver's compartment sides and rear | .5" 1.3cm |
0° |
| Driver's compartment top | .5" 1.3cm |
90° |
| Cab | ||
| Rolled homogeneous steel | ||
| Location | Thickness | Angle from vertical |
| Front | .5" 1.3cm |
20° |
| Sides | .5" 1.3cm |
0° |
| Rear | .5" 1.3cm |
0° |
| Top | .5" 1.3cm |
90° |
| M578: Automotive | |||||
| Engine | General Motors 8V71T Model 7083-7398; 8 cylinder, 2 cycle, vee, supercharged diesel | ||||
| Horsepower | Net: 345@2,300rpm Gross: 405@2,300rpm |
Torque | Net: 895 ft-lb@1,600rpm Gross: 980 ft-lb@1,700rpm |
Fuel capacity | 300gal 1,100L |
| Transmission | Allison XTG-411-2A, 4 ranges forward, 2 reverse | ||||
| Steering | Mechanical, steering bar (clutch-brake in 1st, 2nd, 1st reverse; geared steer in 3rd, 4th, 2nd reverse) | ||||
| Brakes | Multiple disc | ||||
| M578: Suspension | ||
| Type | Road wheels | Track return rollers |
| Torsion bar | 5 individually sprung dual/track | Flat track |
| Drive sprockets | Idlers | Shock absorbers | 11-tooth front drive | Rear road wheels serve as adjustable trailing idlers | All road wheels fitted with hydraulic lock-out cylinders which serve as shock absorbers when vehicle is moving |
| M578: Track | |||||||
| T132 | |||||||
| Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad | |||||||
| Width | 18" 46cm |
Pitch | 6" 15cm |
Shoes/track | Left side: 75 Right side: 76 |
Ground contact length | 148" 376cm |
| M578: Performance | |||
| Max level road speed | 37mph 60kph |
Max trench | 84" 210cm |
| Max grade | 60% | Max sideslope | 30% |
| Max vertical obstacle | 40" 100cm |
Min turning diameter | 32' 9.8m |
| Max fording depth | 42" 110cm |
Cruising range | ~450mi, roads ~720km, roads |
M578 was based on the hull of the M107 175mm self-propelled gun and M110 8" self-propelled howitzer. The hydraulic lock-out cylinders in the suspension lent themselves well to recovery work as well as providing a stable firing platform for the artillery pieces. A rear-mounted spade provided further stabilization during recovery operations. An armored cab fitted with a crane boom was placed at the rear of the hull, replacing the ordnance found on the M107 and M110. The cab could rotate 360°, and a 30,000lb (14,000kg) capacity Pacific Car and Foundry Co. model P30 winch with 220' (67m) of .625" (1.59cm) wire rope was run through a boom on the cab. The boom was 171" (434cm) long and weighed 1,050lb (476kg). The height of the boom's block assembly end was 97.75" (242.3cm) in the maximum downward or travel position, 256" (650cm) in the maximum upward position, and 106.8125" (271.3038cm) in the maximum outward position. A Pacific Car and Foundry Co. model P60 was used as a tow winch with 60,000lb (27,000kg) capacity with 230' (70m) of 1" (2.5cm) wire rope, mounted on the front of the cab. Access to the cab was through a door on each side and by double doors in the rear, and the crane operator and rigger both had vision cupolas in the cab roof.
