Aluminum Transporters


Aluminum Transporters (Mobile Assault Bridges, M.A.B.) 5 each Amphibious barges. Dimensions are 42ft overall (the hull is 39' long x 11ft 11.5 inches wide x 5' 8"). Full rake forward and half rake aft. Some have hydraulically controlled marine diesel outdrive propulsion units-which are mechanically shaft driven with hydraulics providing the steering, the tilt and the trim. These are less engines and transmissions. I have them with or without the 360 degree drive, telescopic and retractable units. Props are 28 x 28 four blade ni-bral, Kaplan style proeller in a Kort type nozzle. Large Spacious Flat deck boat is as stout as can be and truckable. These currently have four tires on each. The tires can be removed to make it a regular barge. Must see, many uses.

Price $10,000 - $20,000 each with quantity discounts available.

PLEASE SEE THE PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE!!!!

The unit below is currently pending a sale. It is shown as an example of how the units would look with close mounted power and floating.







The bows are slightly light and require ballast, either solid or liquid, in the range of 3000-4000 pounds to bring to level.
Alternatively, they beach well when lightened as shown. This unit shown has a heat exchanger cooled 671N Detroit Diesel engine (210hp) with an Allison direct drive marine transmission (1:1). There is a 2.5:1 Reduction in the lower unit just before the propeller. The outdrive is shaft driven from the marine gear. It can be driven by any rotary power transmission means such as an hydraulic motor if the operator wants to relocate the engine to bring the boat to level. If the engine is mounted forward, the power can be transmitted to the unit via hydraulic hoses or a longer drive shaft. For most applications the rear mounting of the engine is best because it leaves the majority of the deck plan free for other uses, such as tankage, storage, deck space, etc..

This particular unit also has a front PTO on the engine which can drive an auxiliary hydraulic pump, an electrical generator or, as in this case a 6" pump which can be used to pump out the tankage (approx 200 barrels in five compartments) or suction from overboard to wash (move floating oil), jet pilings down or fight fires. The five compartments, on this particular barge, all have double bottoms and the large center compartment is double sided also. In addition to the five compartments there are two more, the rakes on each end. The knuckles (bottom and top) are approximately 5/8" thick, the skin looks like 3/16"ths, all compartments have large hatches to access/clean. The hatches are flush multi-bolt with stainless steel thread inserts all around each one. The propeller will stow up to the port side as shown. From that position it can rotate down to a straight vertical position. In the vertical position the bottom of the nozzle surrounding the prop is equal in depth to the bottom of the hull, so that it can sit flat (like in a parking lot).

Now from this level the prop will "stretch" or extend the length of it's tube (by about 16"). The prop will also rotate for steering and/or reverse or the unit can be reversed by shifting the gear into reverse. However, if you are stuck on a beach, rotating the prop will provide more thrust than shifting the gear into reverse, because props are made (designed) to be more efficient in forward. With the full nozzle, the outdrive is very efficient and is draft controllable if you get into shallow water. Also, if you get something like a rope or crabtrap stuck in the wheel, you can pull it up and look at it and work on it from the deck level! No sending a man overboard!! If the unit must be towed the prop can be raised to reduce drag. If you are setting the barge down on the ground, the prop can be raised to provide drydocking on any level surface without blocks or a cradle without increasing it's length like other outdrives which tilt out (like an outboard motor)!! Outdrives are available on the surplus market at this time, the boats are scarce though!

Uncle Sam built them like money was no object, why not take advantage of that for your next project. Your grandkids will be operating this equipment! It's that good!