Latil TL

File:Latil TL 1928 military tests.png

The TL tractor was introduced in 1924 for forestry, agriculture and "colonial" uses,{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}} being unveiled in October of that year at the Paris Salon.{{sfn|Delanghe|1924|pp=489, 491}} In 1925, it was presented in the United Kingdom.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1925|p=D18}}

The French military commissioned TLs from 1928 onwards. They were tested as haulers of the 75 mm gun alongside the Citroën Kegresse P7bis, although the Latil model was judged too powerful for that usage. It was finally adopted for hauling the 105 L 13 canon until that, in 1935, it was replaced by the Latil K TL4. As the TL was considered slow for hauling heavy guns, it was reworked{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}} as a hauler of rangefinders for anti-aircraft units.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=116}}

The engine is an inline-four petrol unit. It is side valved monobloc with an 85 mm bore and a 130 mm stroke,{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}} giving a displacement of 2,950 cc. It delivered {{convert|18|PS|bhp kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=116}} Its fiscal power is rated at 14 CV.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}}{{sfn|Delanghe|1924|p=491}}

The gearbox is a 3-speed manual transmission with a transfer case,{{sfn|Delanghe|1924|p=491}} giving 6 forward speeds and a reverse. The single-disc clutch and the gearbox are built in one unit with the engine.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}} The differential system can lock the drive on any axle through a lever next to the driver's seat.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1925|p=D18}} The tractor has a four-wheel steering system. The wheels have either pneumatic tyres or bare steel,{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}} and can be twins on the rear. They could be mounted with retractable spuds for improving grip on some surfaces.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1925|p=D18}}

The TL can haul up to 5 tonnes{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}} The tractor's wheelbase is {{convert|2.25|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=on}} and its length (main) {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}.{{sfn|Delanghe|1924|p=491}} Its weight is about 1.8 tonnes.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}} Braking is through a contracting system on the transmission actioned by a pedal and friction brakes on each wheel actioned by a lever.{{sfn|Delanghe|1924|p=492}} Suspension is by long flat leaf springs.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1924|p=B31}}

The military version had a speed of {{convert|20|km/h|mi/h|abbr=on|lk=on}}.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite magazine |year=1924 |title=Le XIX^e Salon de l'Automobile. Section des véhicules industriels (22–23 octobre 1924) |trans-title=The XIX automotive Salon. Commercial vehicles section (22–23 October 1924) |language=French |volume=85 |issue=22 |last=Delanghe |first=G. |magazine=Le Génie civil |location=Paris |issn=0016-6812 |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6487727m/f3.item.r=Latil}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1924 |title=A new French agrimotor |volume=40 |issue=1030 |magazine=The Commercial Motor |ref={{harvid|The Commercial Motor|1924}} |location=London |publisher=Temple Press |issn=0010-3063}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1925 |title=The seventh Commercial Motor Exhibition |volume=42 |issue=1078 |magazine=The Commercial Motor |ref={{harvid|The Commercial Motor|1925}} |location=London |publisher=Temple Press |issn=0010-3063}}
• {{cite book |last1=Vauvillier |first1=François |last2=Touraine |first2=Jean-Michel |last3=Jeudy |first3=Jean-Gabriel |title=L'Automobile Sous l'Uniforme 1939–1940 |trans-title=The Car in Uniform 1939–1940 |language=French |year=1992 |publisher=Editions Ch. Massin |location=Paris |isbn=2-7072-0197-9}}

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1924

Category:Tractors

Category:Vehicles of France