Caterpillar is one of my favorite American companies, as it is intrinsically tied to this country’s evolution and progress. In true American fashion, CAT has reinvented itself to suit the times – not always gracefully but always effectively. The company was formed when Holt Manufacturing and CL Best Tractor Company merged in 1925. The company’s name was courtesy of a photographer Holt hired back in 1910 when he had created his first clumsy crawler: the machine’s slow movement over rough ground prompted the photographer to mention that it looked like a caterpillar. Holt trademarked the name for his company, and CAT was … nearly born. It took another few years for the product line-up to become truly CAT, rather than an amalgamation of Holt and Best machines. Today’s feature showcases one of CAT’s earliest endeavors – a 1929 Ten tractor, listed here on facebook Marketplace for $4500. This tractor is a survivor – in fact, it still sports its battleship gray paint, the color CAT used until 1931. Take your trailer to Eatonville, Washington to pick it up – or if you’re feeling adventurous, drive it home like Alvin Straight in the movie The Straight Story. T.J. sent us this tip – thanks for striking a chord with this writer, T.J.!
The Ten was the smallest tractor CAT ever built. It weighed 4420 lbs and was available in two widths – 37″ or 44″; a few high-clearance units were also made. The 143 cu. in. gas engine produced about 15 hp at the drawbar, and it was mated to a sliding-gear three-speed manual (three forward speeds, one reverse). The tractor was popular for orchard work as the tracks prevent soil compaction, and the narrow width was easy to maneuver through rows. This example runs very well; a video showing its progress down the owner’s driveway is embedded in the listing.
The seat has been modernized and reupholstered, and relative to the bare metal seats I’ve experienced on vintage tractors, this one looks like a treat. Here’s a glimpse of the controls. The seller notes that he does have the lower right-hand side engine panel.
Not completely visible in this photo is the structure to the left – it’s a teapot! And it looks like this little CAT has a John Deere pal nearby. The Ten was the smallest in a series of tractors CAT made into the 1930s before it revamped its lineup to offer larger equipment along with diesel power. While most of the company’s equipment was dedicated to farming, people used tractors to accomplish a huge variety of chores back in the day. Could you find a use for this tiny tractor around your place?
Even though the concept of a dozer hasn’t changed, make no mistake, this is a beast to start. Does anyone know what that gizmo is in the cemetery photo? (Jim) I read this tractor cost $1125 new, what most people made in a year, and when a new home was $6grand, it had a limited following. Plus being 1929, it was a risky venture, but exactly 4,929 model 10s were made 1928-1931. The height of the depression, yet, roads needed to be built, leaves needed to be hauled, it was one of Cats most popular models.
One of these was written up last Jan. and I hope has as much interest here. Operation, once started, that is, is rather straight forward. I think there is still a strong interest for these, I bet Jim would like it.
Enjoy the machinery submissions, once I figure out this dang new laptop,,
It makes me think of “The Grapes Of Wrath”. How ’bout y’all?
That one was a D8, but yeah, same lineage
I would put a sign next to it in the yard. “Warning: Machine predates safety.”
If your streets become snowy or icy, here’s your rig for commuting. “Hello Boss, I’ll be in to work a little late today, I should make it by lunch hour”. I’m sure there were others but I’ve never seen a tractor with tracks instead of wheels. I bet it probably had a blade attachment for bulldozer duties at one time. The fact this implement is still running is amazing too. There’s a vintage tractor club here in Puyallup, I’m sure some of them follow BF and are ogling this.
” I’m sure there were others but I’ve never seen a tractor with tracks instead of wheels”
Don’t get out much do ya? There are HUNDREDS of different type of crawler tractors at there, from the tiniest to the worlds BIGGEST, The Komatsu D575 Mountain Mover!!! You’ve obviously never seen a construction or demolition site either, because are ALWAYS dozers and crawler loaders on those sites!!! There’s even crawler farm tractors which I have a feeling this may have been, as there’s no blade (which would’ve been cable operated from the rear winch back then) and no signs of a winch or the necessary overhead rack for a cable dozer, so yeah, this was a small agriculture tractor. It may have even been used in a vineyard or orchard for pulling carts.
There are several things that cease to amaze me. One, is Michelles great write ups on all kinds of great antique tractors and machines. Another thing is that there is still vintage equipment hidden in old barns, just waiting to be exhumed and resurrected. ( Sorry but that cemetery photo got me started lol). Another thing is the great vintage photos out there for us to look at and see these old machines being built and used by our predecessors. A huge thank you to Michelle for this well researched write up. And T.J. for submitting this great tip as well.
Michelle, Thank you for another edition of “Tired Iron Fever” !!!!! These are neat little tractors. They are also popular with collectors as the are light enough to put on a trailer behind a 3/4 ton or larger pick up. This is just a tractor and being in Wash State probably for orchard work.. The blade dozers of this era had cable lifts from a winch mounted on the back. It will NOT surprise me if this tractor sells quickly..
During the ’20s as agriculture expanded west of the Mississippi “tracked” tractors saw more usage than “wheeled” tractors as they could cover more varied terrain than the steel wheeled tractors of the time and did all the same jobs that wheeled tractors did on the smaller eastern farms. Some things of note on this machine are the swinging draw-bar, the socket next to the seat for an umbrella and the primer cups on the intake to help start this beast. ( never wrap your thumb around the crank handle, if it kicks back you end up with what was commonly known at the time as “Ford’s Fracture”.) Bet this sweetheart is sold before I finish writing!
Final attempt: I do admit that it made a tiny bit of progress in that it at least allowed me to be notified of updates but it still won’t let me post. And I put out some good stories. I think…
I think you do too geo.
Cool old tractor. Could one man wear out this beast in only one lifetime?
Howard, I don’t know how to start this particular example, but, while out exploring, young me found and started a soon to be ticked off farmer’s Catapillar one early Saturday morning.
🙂
This TEN shows a hand crank in front of the radiator.. The larger CAT’s you had to put a bar in the flywheel while standing over it..
Caterpillar is lifetime equipment, built to last. Bet this one is only getting its second wind.
Most of my family originated in Iowa. When visiting relatives as a little kid I remember the tracked tractors out in the fields as being neat because they didn’t have wheels and tires.