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Just curious when track layer tractors were invented

L

LarrySTN

Member
I've been laid up waiting fusion surgery. I've been watching too much TV as a result, so I'm watching Bonanza and in one scene Joe Cartwright is
chatting with the local blacksmith. In the background of the blacksmith shop are two crawler sprockets. I guess crawlers are much older
technology than I previously thought? I like to watch for things that aren't "period" as I waste time watching TV.
 
(quoted from post at 12:51:36 02/18/16) I've been laid up waiting fusion surgery. I've been watching too much TV as a result, so I'm watching Bonanza and in one scene Joe Cartwright is
chatting with the local blacksmith. In the background of the blacksmith shop are two crawler sprockets. I guess crawlers are much older
technology than I previously thought? I like to watch for things that aren't "period" as I waste time watching TV.
Click to expand...


Holt patented the firs SUCCESSFUL crawler drive in 1907.

Rick
 
I think that was either not a crawler sprocket or it was an anachronism. The earliest I've seen for Holt tractors is 1908, and for Best it's 1910. Both were in common use not all that far from the Ponderosa. But the Bonanza show is based on the time period during and just after the Civil War. Virginia City, for example, was founded in 1859, so it has to be later than that. Maybe the sprocket was a railroad, logging or mining equipment part? The Virginia and Truckee Railroad dates back to 1869 and served mining at the Comstock lode.
 
Your apt to see anything in movies or on television. I saw one movie with a farm setting in the late 1800's. Behind the barn in one scene was an old grain dryer!
 
I beg to differ, Lombard patented his tracked log hauler in 1901. Considering the location involved in this discussion I would agree that those parts would have been Holt or Best though.
 
(quoted from post at 13:17:43 02/18/16) I think that was either not a crawler sprocket or it was an anachronism. The earliest I've seen for Holt tractors is 1908, and for Best it's 1910. Both were in common use not all that far from the Ponderosa. But the Bonanza show is based on the time period during and just after the Civil War. Virginia City, for example, was founded in 1859, so it has to be later than that. Maybe the sprocket was a railroad, logging or mining equipment part? The Virginia and Truckee Railroad dates back to 1869 and served mining at the Comstock lode.
Click to expand...

That may be a build date but the patent was issues in 07. Who knows when he started playing with the idea. Holt manufactured steam tractors and other AG equipment before he built crawlers. I've seen pictures of what's claimed to be a 1903 Holt on tracks too. Don't know if the date is correct though. I just stated when the patent was issued. According to what I can find online he was producing front wheel tiller steer tractors as early as 04 and was experimenting with tracks before that.

Not sure but I believe this was before this one was before the 04 production tractor.

33080.jpg


Rick
 

And lets not forget about the cog drive traction engines of the cog railway that climbs Mt Washington in NH. When I was a kid the replacement cog wheels were made at a small foundry in the town of Lancaster, NH
 
(quoted from post at 17:09:32 02/18/16) That reminds me of seeing modern, small square bales on Bonanza.
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Bob, There is such a thing as stationary hay balers that made small, square bales of hay. They were powered by 1 or 2 horses on a turnstile. The bales were hand tied.
 
I think that Bonanza blacksmith invented the crawler sprocket,those were his prototypes and also the 6 shooter that NEVER needed reloading !
 

If the boys were all born after the war, the date could be pushing 1895.
The French had tracked power shovels to build the Suez Canal on or prior to 1859.
 
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