Track link types for Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS)
In the Summer of 1943, the Chrysler Corporation began development of "horizontal volute spring suspension and 23” center guided tracks for Medium Tank, M4 series." The "E8" modification was an effort to improve the ride and increase the mobility of the Sherman series.
All Steel, Double Arc
Steel, cast, single pin, 23" wide
D80072 shoe.
Designated by OCM 21500, 9 September 1943.
First track type for HVSS.
Width 23”; Pitch 6”; Pin diameter 1-1/16”, Grouser height 7/16”.
Manufacturers : Ohio rubber, U.S. rubber.
Cast steel, center guide, single pin.
Weight per shoe : 45.0 Lbs.
Rubber Backed, Steel Chevron
Rubber backed steel chevron, double pin
D7069557 shoe.
Designated by OCM 24410, 13 July 1944.
Width 23”; Pitch 6”; Pin diameter 1-1/4”; Grouser height 1”.
Manufacturers : Goodyear, Firestone, Ohio rubber, U.S. rubber, Inland steel, Goodrich.
Rubber backed, welded steel chevron grouser, center guide, double pin.
Seen "in theater" starting in January, 1945.
Link weight : 18,1 kilos / 39,91 Lbs.
Weight per shoe : 56.5 Lbs.
Rubber backed steel chevron, double pin
Designated by OCM 33510, 1950.
Width 23”; Pitch 6”; Pin diameter 1-1/4”; Grouser height 1-1/2”.
Rubber backed, welded steel chevron grouser, center guide, double pin.
An Israeli variant used a rubber covering over steel chevron tread.
The example shown on the picture is manufactured by Goodyear (GY) and dated 7-52. It comes from an ex-IDF M51 Sherman.
Rubber chevron
Rubber, non-reversible, chevron
Designated by OCM 27447, 26 April 1945.
Width 23”; Pitch 6”; Pin diameter 1-1/4"; Grouser height 1” originally, changed to 1-1/2” by OCM 29534, 25 October 1945
Manufacturers : Goodyear.
Molded rubber, center guide, double pin.
Post-war use only. These tracks did not reach manufacturers before the end of Sherman production.
Link weight : 15,8 kilos / 34,84 Lbs.
Weight per shoe : 48,1 Lbs.
The example shown here is a post-war manufacture, dated 1967.