Ritscher Kettenschlepper MTW R 50

[Paidoskixos]

The Ritscher company developed a prototype tractor in 1942, the Ritscher Kettenschlepper MTW R 50. It featured many military traits ( tracks, suspension, sprocket wheel), sporting a Deutz 50hp engine. Does anyone know more on this? Were there any more military Ritcher projected designs along this path, e.g. more powerful engines?
Please see it here:

http://www.freundederritscher.de/prod_r50.html

[Paidoskixos]

Here it is, a better photo. Any comments welcome. It`s becoming frustrating to see no interest/knowledge in so many of my posts.

[eldar1]

Hello there.I was just passing by on the forum and spotted your post .I can't help you with info I've never studied construction equipment.However i'am interested in yuor subject selection.By the way grear photo.

[Paidoskixos]

Hello Eldar1,

this I believe does not fit completely in the construction equipment category, more on the tractor one. It was a sole prototype, not delivered to the Wehrmacht/Heer, captured and taken to Britain from the factory. In England, I believe, it was the driving influence on the Vickers Vigor crawler of the 1950`s ( my assumption ).
Stay tuned for something I am expecting on german WW2 construction equipment.

[armorrich]

Interesting to see the use of a steering wheel to control the tracks / direction instead of sticks or pedals. Also the interleaved road wheels....perhaps to lower ground pressure??? Cool photo.....best, rich

[eldar1]

I'm not so sure,Look at the two hydraulic cylinders that are horizontal with the top of the tracks towards the front.These look like connection points for a plow blade.

[Paidoskixos]

Look at the two hydraulic cylinders that are horizontal with the top of the tracks towards the front.These look like connection points for a plow blade

You have a point there! It would be much more interesting as a construction vehicle.
Mind the tracks: the Ritscher company was a supplier to many half-track designs, making tracks with an automatic machine developed internally. Those tracks surelly resemble the ones from military vehicles.
BTW, the photo is courtesy of Herrn Axel Engelmann.

[eldar1]

I could see this.Another possiblity could be an attempt at making a multitasked platform for Heer pionners.making one vehicle with different accesories that could be configured to a particular job.Yet have the abbility to fulfill rear area duties like airfielrd costructionn and emplacement building.