The Skidgen
Key Points
Photo Gallery
Specifications
The latest addition to the Obadiah’s family is our Skidgen. Based on the same chassis as the military’s M113 advanced personnel carrier, this unit is unarmored and converted for firefighting and rehab work. This Skidgen is capable of carrying a six ton payload and up to four people can sit abreast within the cab, which is fully enclosed and protected by a specially designed ROPS system. Obadiah’s picked this FMC-built platform for several reasons:
This skidgine can operate over over rough terrain and can move quickly on improved roads & highways. It is built with aircraft-quality aluminum, allowing it to possess some of the same strength as steel, but at a much lighter weight. The Skidgen is also equipped with a 6V53 Detroit diesel rated at over 220 HP, and is capable of speeds in excess of 40 MPH.
We have made several modifications to make this unit even better, including an overhead electric winch system that allows us to convert from a firefighting/hydro-seeding unit to a cargo/crew hauler very rapidly. This flexibility allows us to transition quickly after the fire is out, or even during the fire, to a transport unit capable of moving cargo or firefighters safely in rugged remote areas.
The Skidgen is one of several units that allows us to be diversified and ready to be of service in other types of disasters. Whether it be hurricanes, Tornados, floods or earthquakes, this unit can prove very useful. The rubber pads on the tracks prevent damage to the road surface, it will roll over debris with no problem, and travel though mud, snow, or water with equal ease.
- Rubber pads on tracks allowing for urban interface operations
- 40+ MPH Speeds
- Amphibious
- Twin Hose reels
- Aspirated Foam
- Curtis dry seeder
- Hydro-seeding capable
- Can apply hydro seed while mixing a new batch.
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Photo Gallery:
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Specifications on the M548 Skidgen
General
| Length | 15′ 11″ |
| Width | 8′ 5″ |
| Height | 8′ 10″ |
| Clearance | 16″ |
| Weight Empty | 14,500 |
| Weight With Tank Empty | 18,650 |
| Weight With Water | 26,130 |
| Personnel Capacity | 4 front 20 rear |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 88 Gallons |
| Ground Pressure | 6.63 PSI |
Performance Specifications
| Speed on Land | 41 MPH |
| Speed in Water with Track | 3.6 MPH |
| Cruising Range | 300 Miles |
| Turning Radius | Pivot to Infinite |
| Slope | 60% |
| Side Slope | 40% |
| Trench Crossing | 66 “ |
| Vertical Wall Climbing | 24″ |
| Breaking 20 MPH | 34′ |
Engine Specifications
| Make and Model | Detroit Diesel 6V53 |
| Displacement | 5.2 Liter |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Rated Horsepower | 220 HP |
| Gross Horsepower to Weight Ratio | 30.4 Hours / Ton |
Transmission Specifications
| Make and Model | Allison |
| Type | Hydro Kinetic |
| Steering | Hydro Static |
| Break Type | Disc |
Running Gear
| Suspension | Torsion Bar |
| Road Wheels | 5 Per Side 24″ Diameter |
| Track Type | Steel Single Ping Detachable Rubber Pad |
| Number of Shoes | 63 Left, 64 Right |
| Track Pitch | 6″ |
| Track Width | 15″ |
| Shock Absorbers | 2 Per Side |
| Wheel Travel | 9.0″ |
Electrical System
| Generator | 200 Amp |
| Volts DC | 28 |
| Batteries | 4 Type 6TC 120 Amp HR 12 Volt Each |
| Fire Extinguishers | 5 lb. 8 oz. For Engine Compartment |
| 5 lb. 8 oz. For Cab |