M88

[DaWiz]

Im not sure if this is the proper forum for this question but im gonna ask anyway. What can you guys tell me about the M88, such as its weight and lift capabilities? I would thin I would have to be pretty big and powerful to lift the M1.

[IrishEKU]

Originally Posted by DaWiz

Im not sure if this is the proper forum for this question but im gonna ask anyway. What can you guys tell me about the M88, such as its weight and lift capabilities? I would thin I would have to be pretty big and powerful to lift the M1.

Wiz,

Although the M-88A1 Medium Tracked Recovery Vehicle is a versitile and powerful machine there is no way it's going to "lift" an M-1A2.

The M-88 and I'm sure everyone saw the pictures of it yanking down Saddams statue can only lift 15,000 lbs on a direct pull or single connection to the boom winch, the only reason that much is possible is because of the block and tackle at the end of the boom winch cable. This connection is known as a 4:1 mechanical advantage because the line runs 4 times through the system. Another thing to remember the mechanical advantage drops with lesser wraps of cable around the drum. Think of this like the size of gears on a ten speed bike. The smaller the gear or wrap the more difficult to turn.

Now the M-88A1-E1 (E= experimental) hadn't been feilded as of FY '99 when I got out, but judging from the video I witnessed it still hasn't. The one the Marines had was an A1 with the Armor modification. The E1 can lift 68,000 lbs or 35 tons thanks to some much needed reworking to the suspention and other things viewable here;(note vehicle pictured is an M-88A1 biggest noticable difference is a square beamed boom and the addition of a light duty winch mounted between the driver and mechanics hatches on the top front center above the main winch.)

http://www.trackpads.com/portal/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=191

[kruser79]

I am a twenty year M1 series mechanic, and a few of the things you cite are just a bit off. The original M88A1's boom capacity was 25 tons (but the only way you would lift that much was up on the spade, with no mobility). When lifting up to eight tons, you could lift away to your heart's content, but between eight and 20 tons you had to have the manual suspension lockout blocks installed.
As you payout cable from a winch drum, the diameter of the spool decreases, effectively increasing your mechanical advantage. Many times we had a hard pull to make, but not have the distance needed to gain that mechanical advantage. So the only recourse was to payout double, rig a snatch block, and pull at 2:1. The strongest pull that both of the 88's winches make is from the last layer of cable on the drum (just remember to leave no less than four wraps on the drum, otherwise you run the risk of pulling the cable out of it's anchor and launching the rest of your cable downrange).
Just a little bit of info from someone who still sits and stares dreamily into space remembering days living aboard a beautiful beast.