Camp Secretary Ruperto K Kangleon, Palo, Leyte – The 8th Forward Service Support Unit, Army Support Command, Philippine Army under the leadership of LTC VINCENT DY QMS (GSC) PA is currently pursuing the innovation on improving the repair/rebuild of the 2 ½ Ton Cargo, M35 trucks by replacing its brake system from manual to dual air brake system.
The M35 trucks are decades old trucks acquired from the United States Government as Excess Defense Articles (EDA). As part of the scope of work for the rebuild program, the originally installed centralized manual brake system of the truck is being rehabilitated. But due to obsolescence, original brand-new parts such as hydrovacs and brake master cylinders are hard to find. Installation of reconditioned components, which is an option, is not advisable because it is prone to leaks that may result in brake malfunction sacrificing road safety.
With the ingenuity of TSg Mario Alfie T Bagtong (OS) PA, the former Maintenance Platoon Sergeant this unit, the Dual Air Brake System Model for the M35 trucks was conceptualized. The two (2)-system mechanism provides separate brakes for the two (2) differential assembly of the truck and one (1) for the intermediate. It has separate air tanks, hydrovacs, and air control valve. Likewise, the components are brand new and commercially available in the local market. The safety features of the new system include automatic parking in cases of leaks and operator’s capacity to apply brakes due to its dual system despite a malfunction.
Since 1st Qtr CY 2017, the unit was able to install Dual Airbrake System on nine (9) M35 trucks with an additional two (2) units currently ongoing. The completed M35 trucks were already issued to the supported units with 8FSSU receiving positive feedbacks. In fact, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division units are requesting that its existing M35 trucks be installed with the new Dual Airbrake System. With this innovation, 8FSSU continues it quest in ensuring customer satisfaction of Army units in Region VIII that includes producing quality rebuilt vehicles that are reliable and safe.