I have Dan Strohl at the excellent Hemmings Auto Blog to thank for tipping me off to this. yes it's a Diamond T but according to the description and additional photos on the Hemmings website it's described as 'belt-driven'? Surely some mistake? To see for yourself click ono this weblink
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/11/10/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1956-diamond-t/
The story has already attracted quite a few comments so why not add your own three pennorth!
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BigLorryBlog editor Brian Weatherley is the UK jury member for the International Truck of the Year award
This page contains a single entry by BigLorryBlog published on November 12, 2009 10:01 PM.
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Bob Tuck would know more about this but I seem to remember that the Wynn's Pacifics had a similar system with a central differential and chain drive to each of the four rear wheels.
Dave - as you say the M26 Pacifics had proper chain drive but this belt drive looks very weak in comparison. It reminds me a bit of the Robson drive was it called(I'm sure some Volvos used it) where they used some sort of sprockets between the tyres to transmit drive to the second / third axle. And don't forget the early Scammell Pioneers who only had one diff but got 6x4 drive by using enclosed gear wheels to drive both axles. Now that was engineering brilliance as it allowed phenomenal articulation of the axles on rough ground.
I have heard of a belt drive in between the duals to a lazy axle.I don`t know how you would tension the belt.
I am surprised that the belts survive but maybe there is enough slippage to avoid breaking them. If reversing over a gutter the belts are going to cop the full driving torque at some point. Have seen a similar system where a small rubber tyre is pushed down so it rubs on both the driven tyres and the lazy axle ones. I have had 6x2 rigid vehicles stuck on driveways etc and know what a pain it is.