Latil 4x4.

Latil of France began making power packs that could replace the front axle, shaft and horse of carts - this around the turn of the century. They then moved naturally onto building four wheel drives 4x4 [Bal87]. During World War One they built 4x4 gun tractors, like many other manufacturers. Apparently the firm's spirit lives on in the ALM military vehicle.

Latil 4x4 Road Tractor (1950)

3200kg weight

Meadows DC4-420 6.9L diesel

4 speed gearbox, two speed transfer case with part-time four wheel drive, chassis mounted diff's, hub-reduction gears, diff' locks on both axles

PTO winch

The most remarkable feature is the front and rear wheel steering, inherited from Latil's first days, which prevents transmission wind-up in four wheel drive without the need for a centre differential.

The Latil tractor is pictured at the Australia Day vehicle display.

Go to the Latil 1938 and 4WD History pages