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I can't seem to find a diagram that includes this tube linking the front and rear body gear on each side. Is it structural, or hydraulic, or maybe something else entirely?
Image source: https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001380858.html
Additional photo: https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001454050.html
It's structural. It's called a truck assembly or a bogey, on most aircraft. I used to work on C-130s, but it's been a long time and I don't recall the exact nomenclature that is used for that part in the C-130 world anymore. But it's just a structural part that keeps the front and rear wheels aligned with each other. Each main gear axle has a shock strut that retracts and extends on a jackscrew. Without it, there would be a lot more twisting force on the landing gear parts, which would lead to premature wear and potentional emergency situations that you definitely don't want to experience when taking off or landing. That part absorbs some of the twisting force and lightens the torsional load on the gear itself.
