Latil KTL

1937 British-assembled KTL for roads with modifications, marketed as Traulier.

The Latil KTL tractor was introduced in 1929.[1] In October of that year, it was presented in the United Kingdom[2] and, by early 1931, it was being imported into the country.[3] By 1932, it started to be assembled locally[4] under licence by the British company Shelvoke and Drewry[5] with some minor modifications.[4]

From 1932 onwards, the KTL was tested by the French military as a replacement for the earlier Latil TL tractor for towing the 105 L 13 canon, as the previous tractor was considered too slow. In 1934, The  military finally comissioned the K TL4, a KTL with extended wheelbase, which was still slow for that usage. About 163 were built.[6]

In 1934, another KTL-based vehicle with extended wheelbase, the G TL3 prototype, was tested as a hauler for the 75 CA anti-aircraft gun, but it had a high centre of gravity and a narrow track relative to its wheelbase, which made it lack stability and off-roading capabilities. In 1937, the design was definetively abandoned. The French military adopted another Latil model, the Latil M2 TZ, and various trucks, among them the GDLS 30 from Berliet.[7]

The main engine used for the tractor is the K,[6] an inline-four petrol engine with a 90 mm bore and a 130 mm stroke,[8][9] giving a displacement of 3,308 cc.[6][10] Its maximum power is 40 bhp (41 PS; 30 kW) at 1,900 rpm.[10] Its fiscal power is rated at 13 CV.[8][9] As an optional, the KTL could be equipped with not specified  diesel and gasifier-running engines.[11]

The gearbox is a 3-speed manual unit with a transfer case[12] giving 6 forward speeds and 2 reverses.[6][10][12] The differential system can lock the drive on any axle through a lever next to the driver's seat.[13] The tractor has a four-wheel steering system. The wheels could be mounted with retractable spuds for improving grip on some surfaces.[12]

For commercial use, the KTL was offered in two versions: agriculture/forestry tractor[8] and road tractor,[9] which mainly differ on bodywork and hauling equipment.[8][9] They can haul between 5 and 10 tonnes, depending on version. Both have the same dimensions: a (main) length of 3.73 m (12.2 ft) a height (without roof) of 1.941 m (6.37 ft), a width of 1.79 m (5.9 ft), a track of 1.493 m (4.90 ft).[8][9] The wheels have the same size both on front and rear:[1]  36 in (91 cm) x 6 in (15 cm).[8][9][10]

The tractor's wheelbase is 2.3 m (7.5 ft).[8][9] Its weight (without equipment) is over 2 tonnes.[10] It has drum brakes. Suspension is by long straight leaf springs.[10] [14]

The Latil JTL is a similar contemporary tractor with the J engine,  an inline-four petrol unit with a with a 85 mm bore and a 130 mm stroke. Its fiscal power is rated at 11 CV.[16]

The tractor can haul the same as the KTL (5 to 10 tonnes). It was offered with the same variants.[16]