Coleman 4x4 Aircraft Tug, model MB4/G40 with 4 wheel steering!

A Coleman aircraft tug just showed up in the yard, and of course it didn't start, run, drive, or stop. Perfect, just the way I like them!
These tugs are really cool, with 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, and a drawbar pull of 10,000 lbs! The models were MB4 for military use, and G40 for civilian use. It uses a Chrysler flathead 6 model 30 industrial motor, backed by a torque converter but then a manual 5-speed transmission with no real clutch. Interesting...

[@easydeon]

Some tubers turn starting a scooter into a 3 part series......LBG gets a unique monster truck going and mostly working in a episode....well done!!!!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@beakittelscherz5419]

This Thing Is Super Awesome🤓Interesting about the Clay... I collected that damaged earth and once a year burned it among a big campfire. Thats the only way this stuff is not ending up on a dump site. Aka ground soil again! Better burn it very hot and desove the oils. Normally I put a plastig carpet under the work. In Germany its no fun to get a fine about pollution. And rightly so!

[@jayjenkins4721]

I joined the USAF in 1986 and cut my aircraft towing teeth driving these beasts at George AFB CA (Victorville) and before long I could tow an F-4E/G anywhere or back it up a hill into a hush house, into the tightest hangar. or line it up perfectly on a trim pad for engine runs. These were monster machines! We would use our left leg to adjust the rear wheel steering when we needed it. I do recall not being allowed to shift on the fly simply because in the late 80s there were no parts available to repair them anymore. The MB4s we use now have automatic 4 wheel steer/crab/2 wheel with a flip of a switch. Not sure what you can do with yours, but an FBO at the airport where I work now used to use one as a snow plow...probably not needed much in the desert where you are...lol. Still might be a good yard machine to tow stuff around.

[@LowBuckGarage]

It took me a while to figure how to drive it, but I'm finally getting the hang of the rear steering. Its definitely really maneuverable once you get it all coordinated!

[@nilsonbam]

Here in Brazil we call gambiarra (Brazilian way) high quality "provisional" solutions for life, I hope you don't get offended, it's our quality for creating and solving problems. You are a great master who teaches us how mechanics work in a simple way

[@SchnelleKat]

Man that thing is SO COOL. I love this odd ball stuff.

[@rossjon4795]

This channel is so underrated, has the coolest vehicles and he's done the duct tape drags !!!

[@Decenium]

one of the few times that word is actually used correctly, this channel is actually underrated

[@malcolmcarter1726]

Oh man, I love this show. Your facility is for me, to die for! Beautiful, organised, chaos. These are great projects. Here in the UK ,we're lucky if we have a garden shed! Ive been trying to get a lock-up for working on my projects. Living in an apartment with no garden means No welding, No angle grinders, bench drills etc, etc😥 However I am building a 66cc 2 stroke mountain bike with a passenger carrying sidecar, for off-roading. Really must buy a 3D printer. So useful. Brilliant prog buddy. Keep on keeping on!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you! A mountain bike with a side car does sound like a fun build. One thing I've found with 3D printers, after christmas a lot of them get put on ebay. I bought both of mine pretty cheap that way.

[@malcolmcarter1726]

Hey yeah, thats a good idea. I live in a very wealthy town so there will probably be a few about. Thanks. Happy building!

[@ronheide4198]

Drove one of them things up in Plattsburgh NY AFB , for a year . in 1975 .. then they got rid of them and got the new MB4s . run them for 7 more years . moved thousands of FB 111 with them

[@thirdcargarage2951]

How do you not have a million followers. Love it.

[@joe3973]

I like how you repair this truck you make it work without buying new parts a real old school mechanic. The now generation mechanic always needs to buy new parts to make it work.

[@RobertFay]

*- Clever fixes, James. Nice channel for me to relax with. Thanks so much for the relief.*

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@79tazman]

That front bumper on that thing looks like a investment even at scrap iron value

[@kcraig51]

Put a boom on the back like a wrecker. With that 4 wheel steer, it would be great to move future "dead" projects around.

[@shadovanish7435]

The tug could be used to tow or drag nearly anything. I think it could be handy for pulling out tree stumps, given the tug's weight.

[@KotheJ1]

Since it’s got hydraulics, you could put a bulldozer blade up front. Hell, just dragging old vehicles with locked up brakes around would be nothing for this beast. Well done sir.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! This is now my go-to vehicle for dragging pretty much anything around.

[@user-rw8fy4cf3d]

Hey! You always have a solution for any issue,really cool! And you take the time to explain things to person that may not understand everything! Another fine job!

[@BuddyThePyro]

Build a trailer that has mounted seats for people. Take them into the desert for target practice or hunting expeditions. You know, like those ones in the Florida everglades?

[@LowBuckGarage]

At first read I paused for a moment, wait, taking people to the desert for target practice? Oh, the people are going to be the ones _doing_ the target practice. I got a good laugh at myself!

[@rodmcintire7319]

I find the story with the carburetor very interesting 🤔 I had found a guy through a friend that specializes in working on older carburetor and clients all over the US, Canada and the UK. And he had been looking high and low for this carburetor for a flat head Chrysler engine that looks like your engine. So I said I have some old carburetor, I'll bring them when I come to pick my carburetor up! So what do you suppose happen, there in a box was the carburetor he had been looking for, for months on end. And what is ironic your carburetor looks to be the same one or very similar to the one I had. He said his client will be very very happy with him. We don't realize the number of Chrysler flat heads are used in commercial equipment. Champ forklifts used a lot of them in there forklifts. Love your video, always something different and exciting, keeping coming. Thanks!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! And that's a great story, I'm always glad when some old part sitting around solves a problem. Especially when its an unexpected find!

[@natureview2891]

You speak and explain well. Enjoyed your find and everything about it.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I sure appreciate that!

[@joshacollins84]

This is a SUPER COOL channel! Why has KZbin hidden this gem from me? Oh, well, I am here now to enjoy this interesting projects, and I love the format.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@TheSoloAsylum]

This thing would be getting paint, chrome, and a modern interior if it were mine. Yes, I would drive it around town.

[@TheFukmookthe]

You have the coolest toys

[@mycroft1905]

What a brilliant vehicle! TFP

[@monfrig6959]

love watching you invent !!

[@markuschampos5750]

What a machine! Talk about overbuilt😍

[@Handle4477]

Wow it’s amazing that thing still run and moves 😎

[@michaelranasinghe3774]

This thing is a damn beast! what a score man.

[@tonydeleo3642]

That is a great new toy, congrats!!

[@rickzauner]

You really do come up with some interesting things, I love all of them. Thank you for the videos

[@LowBuckGarage]

Glad you like them!

[@mikegazaille7687]

Oh, and we absolutely love your page!!👍👍👍

[@warenmongers5405]

Would make for a great snowplow.

[@chucktaylor4958]

What an amazing vehicle. Great engineering.

[@jimbeliveau8354]

Its amazing how you get these things running.

[@jlucasound]

You always make the correct decisions.

[@jlucasound]

You are so fortunate to have found this machine. It loves you ❤and you love her. ❤ 😊

[@aresler6085]

well done on getting it operational! I once tried to explain in an exchange of emails how Coleman front universal joints articulate. I don't think I succeeded: they are certainly unique, and not intuitive. I was lucky over 50 years ago, and bought a copy of Motor's truck repair manual that actually shows the insides of a Coleman steering knuckle.

[@chemicaljonez]

You are truly the target audience for this video. A man who knows what he's talking about when it comes to this heavy stuff!

[@aresler6085]

@@chemicaljonez It's a pleasure to see this equipment in operation: thank you

[@elementairttv]

Another excellent vehicle!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@thesteelrodent1796]

that "solid steel bumper" is normally called a counterweight. If you bump anything with that, it will be crushed

[@cmac956]

Hi , as always , great to watch . enteraining , and informitive as well thanks .

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@cmac956]

@@LowBuckGarage good stuff

[@alwinbroeckelmann7558]

1st time I've seen the run up on this one, she came up really well. :)

[@bigbub2118]

I hit the like before i watch. Always great content

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I sure appreciate that!

[@nickbodnar1572]

always had fun driving one of these things down the flight line sideways over 50 yrs ago.

[@lesnoy_bolvan_N1]

О, вы классный мужик! Будусмотреть ваш канал. Офигенная машина! И еще вы интересно рассказываете о тех моментах что я не знал.

[@skipstein744]

Another Very Cool project. Onward!

[@skipstein744]

Off Road Recovery vehicle. Find a god use for the quad steering is the key.

[@scootersonlyrepair6773]

I used to drive those around ant the old Nas Alameda right after it closed. Me and my friend would wander around and try any equipment we would find and most of the tugs and forklifts they left behind were running and driving. If I knew they were abandoned I would have taken one or more home. But I was only 12 so I thought I was a criminal for my joyriding

[@nathangreer8219]

One of these just came into our local junkyard in Nampa, ID. Cab is complete but powertrain missing.

[@motorv8N]

lol - just as I’m getting over the half track geek out I see this - awesome! The thing about airport vehicles is they don’t go far but they sit idling all day long. We’ve had the bodies rot off more than a few pickups that didn’t crack 10,000 miles all told but still had a couple gazillion hours on em. If that beast had an hour meter I imagine you’d have found it by now.

[@kevinleee3408]

Im just gonna put this random carb on. I love this guy. Makes every thing work.

[@jamesvannoy8304]

What a rig,seems like the best thing it does is move heavy things in tight places!

[@corydriver7634]

I’m thoroughly impressed this thing is running, not sure what you can do with it but it’s cool. The steering would be handy in tight situations. Should be able to replace the broken side glass with some plexiglass to keep the weather out.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Okay...sure, I'm still letting the commercials play through...but this video looks like it is going to be another good one!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Sorry about the ads, hope it lives up to expectations!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

@@LowBuckGarage It was even better than I imagined!

[@CrustyRustysRestoration]

Super cool! I love the setup you build for it in the next video!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@CrustyRustysRestoration]

@@LowBuckGarage sure thing!

[@nickarnup9299]

Fairly new subscriber here and I like ur videos. Special with the content and the information/knowledge side of the videos. Very nice.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks and welcome!

[@marcinflorek3862]

If you could get the suspension to flex more, it would be a cool off road recovery rig. Could have some sort of gin pole and winch setup on the back. Just a thought...

[@jaredwilliams5252]

This is what I was thinking too.

[@leonjohansson6542]

Ya, You can't let all those off road recovery guys over in Utah have all the fun. Move over Matt and Rory.

[@volvobrynk]

That is so cool! That would be even Cooler with a trailer!

[@KaterKomPuter]

Nice Machine

[@vdub4201]

you got some cool stuff.. just watched the plow truck video.. subscribed!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@jjock3239]

I would add a winch and gin poles, and use it for moving acquisitions around the yard and for pulling engines and other heavy gear. If you needed to move dirt or metal, You could construct a trailer for that.

[@jjock3239]

@@MrJeep75 And what are you? Have you ever had an idea?

[@MrJeep75]

@@jjock3239 sorry wrong video I was replying to

[@jjock3239]

@@MrJeep75 No problem.

[@dandexinventor]

Hook a scissor-lift to it for painting and roof maint...it's so maneuverable and stable it would be great to rely on for lifting.

[@bobhartman2571]

That is a pretty cooool rig. Good work in getting it going. I think the heavy bumper was needed to balance the pull weight when pulling a heavy plane.

[@dadiusmaximus]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="724">12:04</a> Talk about a ba dass picture! Epic vehicles! Epic cut offs! Epic hair! You’d fit in nicely at our Oklahoma lakes! 🤟😎

[@mattfear6201]

Hi there. this is interesting. My mate has one exactly the same as that in the UK. They are pretty rare.

[@fricknjeep]

hi there don't know how you figured all that out darn smart i quess john

[@user-xl5np5dp8n]

That thing is a find.

[@roberthill1224]

Well if you lived in an area that got a lot of snow. It would be cool to mount an engine on the back to power a hydraulic pump that powered a big snow blower on the front.

[@machinist5828]

That old Chrysler flathead is a beast. Forerunner to the slant it was the go to staple for years in the Mopar line. As far as I can find they were in production until the early 90s, for industrial purposes only. A friend that has worked on cars for a decade or five said that if you run them hot the casting is so dense the cylinders will glaze over an it will burn oil. He said take it apart in frame, hone the cylinders to break the glaze and put the pistons back with the original rings. Done. If you do need engine parts there will probably still be at least NOS on the shelves. My friend has a crane that has a flathead in it and the only thing is the points and condensers today are junk. NOS or convert to breakerless ignition. You have the carb situation handled. I'm jealous. I have the 5000 pound version that is two wheel drive, 9 inch wheels in the front and dual 16s in the back. Built in 1976 by United Tractor Corp. 225 slant six with 727 trans. Top speed is about 25 scary mph. Take care be safe and have fun! Cheers Terry

[@remylopez4821]

Boy that sure brings back memories I was in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1984 and we had two of those assigned to our squadron we used them as Aircraft (F-4D phantom and F-16 Falcons) 474TFW Nellis AFB & 50 TFW Hahn AB West Germany

[@madcarew5168]

Great around supermarket aisles!!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I was hoping you would not assemble the original carb. To watch you fabricate and go through the process of coupling parts from other applications is what makes this channel the best at problem solving. (As for what to do with it? Some problems are better left unsolved)

[@LowBuckGarage]

I really appreciate the feedback. That's actually something I think about when I'm editing out stuff, I wonder if people will get bored at watching the process and just want the end result. I'll be keeping your comment in mind!

[@noelwarner1235]

Whats cool is you can turn the wheels all the same or opposite directions ,like a telescopic lift.I have a quad steer chevy but I want one of those tugs ,its way cooler.

[@welshlyn9097]

I like the fact you clean before you work on them.stay safe old coal miner.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, working on old vehicles is much better when they're not a health hazard!

[@jlucasound]

I didn't realize how clean this is (was; uh, still is). Wow. I am going to have to binge watch the development of this vehicle. Probably not much to see. (Spoiler Alert!) It runs great! What a monster, in every respect. Unimog! Eat your heart out! 😆 Don't get me wrong. Unimogs and Sherps are incredible machines.

[@Oldfarmersgarage]

I saw a while ago that the navy had purchased some k-30s with a 454 and four speed and put bigger axles and shortened the frames. Still had the cab and front clip but no beds ad they used them for pulling stuff around. Always thought they were super cool and even saw one on the side of the road somewhere in Nebraska for sale. Should have stopped ad asked. They are pretty rare

[@79tazman]

I'v seen carb spacers made out of wood and it worked good too

[@dirk4926]

I love this truck

[@deepbludude4697]

Dang man! you score the coolest stuff ever! Im gonna say thats a 1964 just an uneducated guess. Im surprised it doesnt have a big ole Braden PTO winch on it. As too what to do with it??? Ya got the half track with the A frame it might be more manueverable with the rear steering, so theres that, Itll be good for tuggin your stuff in and around your lay yard, im sure you'll figure something out. You must be single or have a very understanding women like mine....haha. As always enjoy your projects!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I'm lucky enough to have a very understanding wife, she even gets a kick out of most of the things I come up with! I am eyeing the winch and A-frame on that half-track, even took a measuring tape to it...

[@johnDingoFoxVelocity]

That's pretty bad ass getting it for scrap value

[@TheChris1299100]

This is very cool! Maybe make this into a ridiculous overlanding rig? I suppose it could be a yard tug at the very least.

[@APTW42]

I know I’m late to this, it’s probably been suggested before, but if you’re near a boat yard/ramp, at 10,000lb tow capacity and with 41” wheels, you could move some substantial boats around, save all those nice zSUV’s and trucks going for a swim!

[@donscarborough1951]

Awesome

[@johnnytarponds9292]

What a great home for a 6BT.

[@zekecorder8226]

Wonderful job. Looks like a fun truck. How about a 5th wheel so you could tote semi trailers in a yard. Or, maybe a large travel trailer mover?

[@BillOdyssey]

That steering will be handy at the shops.

[@ejburton443]

I think if you could find the missing parts and clean it up a little more it would be a hit at parades and old truck shows. Especially if you bought an old 747 to pull down Main St for parades and truck shows lol. It really is a cool vehicle. I’ve probably seen them in action but never paid them any attention, it’s cool that you have one.

[@dannork1240]

Every time I park my 30’ camper in my yard I wish I had something like this. I bet this vehicle wouldn’t even notice 8k lbs behind it!

[@RubenKelevra]

Do some Ubers with it, just for fun :)

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment?

[@homemaintenancebyclive153]

Faulty towers a classic

[@stephenrussin5081]

That's cool

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

I want to see you rip things apart with it and pull up stumps. Would be fun to see how strong it is even at idle speeds I bet it can pull just about anything you can think of

[@wingnut128wi]

Those were in the inventory from roughly 1964-1971. DO NOT overheat the engine as you will blow the head gasket between cylinders 5 and 6. DO NOT shift gears while you are moving, you will roll the oil seal in the clutch pack. That's not a muffler, it is a spark arrestor. The plug was removed annually and the can was cleaned. Yes, those are the wrong tires, all the way around. The correct tires have the military tread on them similar to the M-35 trucks and Vietnam era Jeeps. Oh, you were lucky to get these to go 35mph, and it was a sketchy experience at that. Drive in to drive out, my record engine change took about 6.5 hours. We had some of those engines bored out up to .060"

[@LowBuckGarage]

That's great info, I really appreciate it! I'm doing some modifications to it now, and I'll keep this in mind.

[@jayjenkins4721]

1971? I was towing F-4Gs at George AFB in 1990 with a Coleman. It was pretty much at the end of their life when we went to the PSI tugs not long after, but we still had a couple on the flightline.

[@wingnut128wi]

@@jayjenkins4721 yes, 1971 model year tractors were still being serviced when I left George late in 1986. There were starting to be replaced by the extreme POS Eagle MB-4 prior to my departure.

[@jayjenkins4721]

@@wingnut128wi we used to beat the crap out of the Colemans at George in the late 80s. We'd tow a jet out to "Chocolate Mountain" to do high powered trim runs and then we'd chase rabbits in the patch of desert just off of that ramp with the tug. They could bounce pretty well over the little hills...lol.

[@briankarnowski5614]

Cool rig! As for what to do with it? Who knows? Just play with it.

[@Decenium]

super cool thing, would lvoe to see some towing context with it

[@roguedalek900]

Used to drive these in the 80s in the USAF

[@LowBuckGarage]

Nice! They're tricky to drive, I kept forgetting which way I had the rear wheels turned. Is a delay on releasing the torque converter normal? I'm waiting about 5-10 seconds now before it releases and I can shift.

[@rodneyharouff5739]

cool!

[@kevinleee3408]

Sweet patina

[@mbucklesnak]

We had those all the way into the 90s in the air force.....I learned how to tow A-10s with those....

[@LowBuckGarage]

Nice! Its fun to drive around, but I keep forgetting which way the rear wheels are pointed. Since you drove one that had the right hydraulic release, do you know if a big delay is normal before releasing? I'm getting about 5 seconds before it releases now...

[@mbucklesnak]

@@LowBuckGarage yes there was a delay when you disenged the clutch. Ours wasn't the best at the end, mostly wore out. we had one that would engage the clutch when not expecting it...a co-worker got ran over and cut in half while hooking up the a tow bar, the tug drugged him down the tow bar and ripped him in half. The tug was sent to the motor pool several times for it before the accident, they never would say it was mechanical...everyone involved in accident ended up getting out early...dont go with the switch on the shifter...I am thinking the foot switch was the permanent fix for for them. They pulled all the tugs off the flightline after the accident and got all nee ones...if I remeber right there was only about three tugs on base towing airplanes while waiting for new ones. We had to keep the tug in natural and couldn't use the hydro switche..

[@LowBuckGarage]

@@mbucklesnak WOW, that's just terrible! I do appreciate you getting back to me, I never would have thought of that possibility. It sounds like an intermittent short in the wiring, probably only happened under certain conditions so they couldn't track it down when it got in the shop. I'm definitely keeping the manual valve there now, and I'll be happy with knowing that there's a solid mechanical connection between my foot and the valve.

[@mbucklesnak]

@@LowBuckGarage I think it was a poor design on the switch and with all the abuse we gave them along with bad maintenance it was bound to happen sooner than later. The also changed the towing procedures and to this day they are still towing with those changes.

[@mbucklesnak]

@@LowBuckGarage i would think having a on and off type switch would be better instead of a momentary type switch or valve would be better. The new tugs we got were set up that way.

[@mhmadgenious]

Small recommendation use a condiment bottle with gasoline for filling float bowls learned it from some old hot rodders

[@LowBuckGarage]

That's a good idea!

[@boolongfellow8452]

That thing needs a wrecker boom

[@306champion]

It would be ideal for maneuvering "A" coupling trailers (as in road trains with dollies) and other hard to back multi hitch trailers.

[@nightsailor1]

Paint it Safety Yellow with black Zebra stripes. Parade time! Tow a float. or two.