Hitachi Type 73

The Type 73 is an artillery tractor used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Type 73
Type	Artillery tractor
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
Used by	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Production history
Designed	1974
Manufacturer	Hitachi
Specifications
Mass	19.8 t
Length	6.13 m
Width	2.95 m
Height	2.30 m
Crew	1 + 11
Armor	none
Main armament	12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine	Mitsubishi ZF6 six-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine 400 hp (298 kW)
Operational range	300 km
Maximum speed	45 km/h

History

The first production of the Type 73 was in 1974, built by Hitachi as a domestic replacement for the American M4 and M8 high-speed tractors. It was never produced in large numbers, as self-propelled artillery became the new focus.

Construction

The cab and gun crew compartments of the Type 73 are fully enclosed steel, with ammunition carried in a separate compartment at the rear. A 400 hp Mitsubishi diesel engine powers full tracks, and armament is a single 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

Usage

The Type 73 was intended to tow weapons such as the 155 mm Long Tom gun and the M115 203 mm howitzer. It can also be fitted with a dozer blade, or alternatively, the Type 92 mine roller.

Further reading

• Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armoured Fighting Vehicles. p 312: Dempsey-Parr. ISBN 1-84084-328-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)