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MarkHolloway · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject: M1A1 Power Cable

I noticed a couple of M1A1 tanks with a power cable coming out of the driver's hatch from where the right periscope normally is. They were long enough to go maybe three feet past the headlight. Anybody know what they are for? Thanks!

Burik · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 119

I believe this is for the mineplow.

Bob

Sabot · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:10 am Post subject: Re: M1A1 Power Cable

Bob's right, the original mine plow power cable snaked through the right periscope opening. It eventually was upgraded with a plug that fit in place of the periscope so the cable would plug into the fitting and not have a gap there. The M1A2SEP has an external power recepticle that negates the need to sacrifice a periscope.

Don't let folks tell you the mine plow is hydraulic.

MarkHolloway · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 Power Cable

Thanks Rob. That clears it up. I was thinking they were hydraulic. The other thing that threw me was that older tanks (I think) had additional hardware welded to the hull for the plow.

Sabot · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: M1A1 Power Cable

If you look at the front of the mine plow, towards the top there is a large cylindrical object on each side. This is a simple electric motor. The power makes these motors rotate and it raises or lowers a webbing strap (similar to a seat belt). That strap on each motor is what raises or lowers each mine plow side.

The straps are susceptible to dry rot out in the motor pool and are always snapping.