Holt Combine Harvester Pulled by Mules - c. 1903
Benjamin Holt was known as a mechanical genius, responsible for the "Link-Belt Combined Harvester" shown here, which used flexible chain belts rather than gears to transfer power from the wheels to the working mechanism, lessening breakage and down time. He also developed the first side-hill combine harvester, and produced one of the earliest steam powered traction engines, nicknamed "Old Betsy", in 1890.
He is best known for being the first to design and build practical crawler-type continuous tracks for tractors, and demonstrated the first successful model in 1904. His Holt Caterpillar tractors were widely used in World War I, and in 1925 Holt Caterpillar and C. L. Best Company combined to form what is now known as Caterpillar, Inc.
-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.
Photographer | William A. Raymond |
---|---|
Location | Sherman County |
Decade | 1900s |
Print Maker | Old Oregon |
Original Type | Larger Print |
Size of Original | 7.5 x 9.6 inches |
Photographer's Number | Number 1343 |