I went to the bsot last year in woodland and saw this one. and one other there. I think it was this one they had up and running and they were having problems with it
How in fucks name are you gonna break my teeth in there was no need to be nasty i was only stating my feelings thats the whole point of putting a comment. And FYI I think its fucking marvelous in its own right! Not my thing but still fucking marvelous!
Unfortunately, the tractor is (last I heard) out of service in Willits with boiler problems. I believe that the folks at Roots of Motive Power have plans to fix it but they've got a lot on their plate right now...
The tractor was on display in Woodland for the Best Show on Tracks in June of '08
Yes, the boiler on the tractor is in HORRIBLE condition. I saw it at the Best Show on Tracks. The firebox is terribly bagged (it looks like an overstuffed couch).
The Best MANUFACTURING company (the company that made this tractor, founded by Daniel Best) never made a tracked tractor. However, the C.L. Best gas traction company, formed by Daniel Best's son, did.
I've been to Ardenwood twice to see them fire this tractor up. It was always sitting in the barn. This is the first time I have seen it running. Daniel Best was my g g grand uncle.
110 Drawbar horsepower...no way. Maybe 110 at the flywheel, but I bet it makes no more than 30 at the drawbar. Don't get me wrong, that's still alot of power, it's enough to pull a 14-bottom plow all day long.
Awesome video! I'm a bit of a Caterpillar enthusiast, so Best and Holt are both familiar names; The C.L. Best Gas Tractor Company and Holt Manufacturing merged in 1925 to form the new company, Caterpillar Tractor Company.
It's a real thrill to see one of the only remaining Daniel Best-era steamers still running strong!
Great video. I have maybe 30 minutes of footage of the Best Tractor and some footage it pulling the Thresher. I would love to have a copy of this original footage. SashaFroyland (at) gmail
Great vidio
gwk4657 9 months ago
Im sick of seeing tractors in a show. They were born to work and thats what they should do
MrThebull09 11 months ago
phantastic steam engine!
Bidone1967 2 years ago
Huh, never seen one like this before. Usually the ones I see looks like a Locomotive (train) with wheels.
But still, nice machine
bigred42091 2 years ago
@bigred42091 - if it looks like a train with wheels, it IS a train.
Steamer15hp 2 years ago
I meant road wheels.
Its just that the boiler looks like a steam locomotive.
You know what I meant.
These where actually where called road locomotives back then too.
bigred42091 2 years ago
I went to the bsot last year in woodland and saw this one. and one other there. I think it was this one they had up and running and they were having problems with it
41Zman 2 years ago
Its ok how fast can it go our British ones maximum of about 10-15mph which is quite slow i would prefer it more if it was British.
AndyFisher142 3 years ago
I would prefer it more if you were not such an idiot.
viper1966 2 years ago 3
up yours viper1966 your the idiot end of convo.
AndyFisher142 2 years ago
Yea I do see why British team power tractors need more ground speed.
The faster a British farmer can till and seed the sooner he can get to the dentist to fix his fucked up teeth.
viper1966 2 years ago 6
How in fucks name are you gonna break my teeth in there was no need to be nasty i was only stating my feelings thats the whole point of putting a comment. And FYI I think its fucking marvelous in its own right! Not my thing but still fucking marvelous!
AndyFisher142 2 years ago
@viper1966 LOL!
ZoneIII 1 year ago
This one was never converted to run on tracks, no. But Best Mfg did build a handful of steam-powered tracklayers.
Alisterwolf66 3 years ago
Unfortunately, the tractor is (last I heard) out of service in Willits with boiler problems. I believe that the folks at Roots of Motive Power have plans to fix it but they've got a lot on their plate right now...
The tractor was on display in Woodland for the Best Show on Tracks in June of '08
UnfortunateBystander 3 years ago
Yes, the boiler on the tractor is in HORRIBLE condition. I saw it at the Best Show on Tracks. The firebox is terribly bagged (it looks like an overstuffed couch).
The Best MANUFACTURING company (the company that made this tractor, founded by Daniel Best) never made a tracked tractor. However, the C.L. Best gas traction company, formed by Daniel Best's son, did.
caterpillarnut 3 years ago
A fairish size with a vertical boiler.
Scythey06 3 years ago
Fairish? What's YOUR definition of a large steam tractor?
caterpillarnut 3 years ago
A fairish size with a vertical boiler.
Scythey06 3 years ago
Now thats a real he man tractor
murldewaynegreen 4 years ago 2
I've been to Ardenwood twice to see them fire this tractor up. It was always sitting in the barn. This is the first time I have seen it running. Daniel Best was my g g grand uncle.
charlesd321 4 years ago
super video! hey, I got some work for you to do!
1singlet 4 years ago 2
110 Drawbar horsepower...no way. Maybe 110 at the flywheel, but I bet it makes no more than 30 at the drawbar. Don't get me wrong, that's still alot of power, it's enough to pull a 14-bottom plow all day long.
Cool video, thanks for posting.
EnponAlbeno 4 years ago 2
Awesome video! I'm a bit of a Caterpillar enthusiast, so Best and Holt are both familiar names; The C.L. Best Gas Tractor Company and Holt Manufacturing merged in 1925 to form the new company, Caterpillar Tractor Company.
It's a real thrill to see one of the only remaining Daniel Best-era steamers still running strong!
Alisterwolf66 4 years ago 2
Great video. I have maybe 30 minutes of footage of the Best Tractor and some footage it pulling the Thresher. I would love to have a copy of this original footage. SashaFroyland (at) gmail
sashafroyland 4 years ago
The Best Tractor is now at Roots of Motive Power in Willets, CA
UnfortunateBystander 4 years ago
*Willits*
UnfortunateBystander 4 years ago
and nice train footage.
Engineer5344 4 years ago
one big steam tractor.
Engineer5344 4 years ago