The Bombardier MLVW — Medium Logistic Vehicle Wheeled — is the Canadian military’s version of the M35 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck, the American “Deuce and a Half”. Bombardier built the truck in Canada, and the M35 family it belongs to is one of the longest-serving military vehicles in the world.
Bombardier MLVW at a glance
| Maker | Bombardier, Canada (M35 family designed by REO) |
|---|---|
| Type | 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck |
| Production | M35 from 1949; A3 rebuilds 1994–2006 |
| Payload | 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) off-road, 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) on road |
| Engine | 7.8 l six-cylinder multifuel, 134 bhp (100 kW) |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual, two-speed transfer case |
| Length | 277 in (7.0 m) |
| Width | 96 in (2.4 m) |
| Height | 112 in (2.8 m) with front winch |
| Empty weight | 13,030 lb (5,910 kg) with front winch |
| Top speed | 56 mph (90 km/h) |
| Range | 400–500 miles (600–800 km) |
English Wikipedia has no separate article on the MLVW, so this page is based on its article on the M35 family, of which the Canadian MLVW is a version. It is therefore based on one source.
History of the Bombardier MLVW
From M34 to M35
The M35 began as a 1949 design by REO Motor Car Company for a 2½-ton 6×6 off-road truck. The original M34 had a single-wheel tandem axle and 11:00×20 tyres, which needed a wheel well in the cargo bed. It was quickly replaced by the M35 with a dual-wheel tandem and smaller 9:00×20 tyres, which did not. The basic M35 carries 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) off-road or 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) on roads; in military and Department of Transportation terms it is a medium-duty truck. It inherited the nickname “Deuce and a Half” from the wartime GMC CCKW.
Engines and versions
The Standard M35 used a REO “Gold Comet” or Continental OA331 petrol six, usually with a five-speed transmission. The A1 received a Continental LDS-427-2 turbocharged engine of 140 hp, which suffered frequent head-gasket failures. The A2 — the most common version — used the LD/LDT 465 multifuel engine: a 478-cubic-inch (7.8-litre) six of 134 bhp (100 kW) and 330 lb·ft, coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox and a two-speed transfer case. Multifuel engines ran on diesel, kerosene, heating oil or, in an emergency, petrol, which needed added oil for pump lubrication. From 1994 to 2006 the M35A3 rebuild added a Caterpillar 3116 diesel and an Allison 1545 four-speed automatic, with a redesigned front end.
Dimensions and performance
An M35A2 with front winch is 112 inches (2.8 m) tall, 96 inches (2.4 m) wide and 277 inches (7.0 m) long, and weighs 13,030 pounds (5,910 kg) empty. Curb weight across the family is 13,000–16,000 pounds (5,900–7,300 kg). Top speed is 56 mph (90 km/h), cruising speed about 48 mph (77 km/h). Fuel consumption is 11 mpg US (21 L/100 km) on the highway and 8 mpg US (29 L/100 km) in town, giving a range of 400–500 miles (600–800 km) from a 50-gallon (190-litre) tank. The cargo bed is 8 feet wide by 12 feet long (2.4 × 3.6 m), with a canvas soft top or a metal hard top.
Design and features
- Multifuel engine: runs on diesel, kerosene, heating oil or, in an emergency, petrol.
- Two-speed transfer case: five-speed manual gearbox with a low range for off-road work.
- Payload: 5,000 lb off-road and 10,000 lb on roads.
- Long service life: the A3 rebuild programme ran from 1994 to 2006.
Bombardier MLVW versions
- Standard M35: REO or Continental petrol six, mostly five-speed manual.
- M35A1: Continental LDS-427-2 turbo engine of 140 hp, with a poor reliability record.
- M35A2: LD/LDT 465 multifuel engine, the most common version.
- M35A3: Caterpillar 3116 diesel and Allison automatic, rebuilt from 1994 to 2006.
The other military vehicle in this collection is the light Bombardier Iltis, and the Bombardier Snowcoach shows the company’s winter transport. More in the Bombardier collection.
Video: MLVW for sale military M35
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck, English Wikipedia: history, engines, dimensions, performance
.jpg){kind=link}