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- Two Steam Traction Engines Pulling Load of Logs, circa 1900 - At the turn of the twentieth century, logging was an essential and lucrative industry. But moving heavy logs long distances could be arduous and downright impractical. The invention of the self-propelled steam traction engine was a boon to loggers at a time when the only alternative was animal power.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Two Steam Traction Engines Pulling Load of Logs, circa 1900
At the turn of the twentieth century, logging was an essential and lucrative industry. But moving heavy logs long distances could be arduous and downright impractical. The invention of the self-propelled steam traction engine was a boon to loggers at a time when the only alternative was animal power.
- Workers with Best Manufacturing Company Steam Tractor and Combine Harvester, circa 1896 - Some agricultural steam engines had to be hauled from farm to farm by teams of horses. Some - like the one pictured here - moved under their own power. This self-propelled traction engine hauls a combine harvester. The colossal duo aided farmers tremendously at harvest time--simultaneously cutting the crop, loosening the grain, and separating the grain from the chaff.
- circa 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Workers with Best Manufacturing Company Steam Tractor and Combine Harvester, circa 1896
Some agricultural steam engines had to be hauled from farm to farm by teams of horses. Some - like the one pictured here - moved under their own power. This self-propelled traction engine hauls a combine harvester. The colossal duo aided farmers tremendously at harvest time--simultaneously cutting the crop, loosening the grain, and separating the grain from the chaff.
- Best Manufacturing Company Steam Engine at Logging Site, California, circa 1900 - At the turn of the twentieth century, logging was an essential and lucrative industry. But moving heavy logs long distances could be arduous and downright impractical. The invention of the self-propelled steam traction engine was a boon to loggers at a time when the only alternative was animal power.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Best Manufacturing Company Steam Engine at Logging Site, California, circa 1900
At the turn of the twentieth century, logging was an essential and lucrative industry. But moving heavy logs long distances could be arduous and downright impractical. The invention of the self-propelled steam traction engine was a boon to loggers at a time when the only alternative was animal power.
- Man Sitting at Controls of a Modified Holt Traction Steam Engine, circa 1900 - Inventor and entrepreneur Benjamin Holt envisioned a mechanical alternative to horse-drawn machinery. He built an experimental steam traction engine in 1890, continued to improve his designs, and incorporated the Holt Manufacturing Company two years later. The man pictured here operates an early Holt model. Holt's company became an industry leader and eventually evolved into the hugely successful Caterpillar manufacturing corporation.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Man Sitting at Controls of a Modified Holt Traction Steam Engine, circa 1900
Inventor and entrepreneur Benjamin Holt envisioned a mechanical alternative to horse-drawn machinery. He built an experimental steam traction engine in 1890, continued to improve his designs, and incorporated the Holt Manufacturing Company two years later. The man pictured here operates an early Holt model. Holt's company became an industry leader and eventually evolved into the hugely successful Caterpillar manufacturing corporation.