1918 Buckeye Traction Ditcher

At ten feet wide, over thirty feet long, bulldozer like tracks and huge front steel wheels this antique trenching machine weighs in around fifteen tons. Power is from a 67 hp Climax model TU four cylinder gas engine. On display in Gallupville, NY

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• buckeye
• traction
• ditcher
• trencher
• antique
• old
• climax
• tu
• engine

[steamshovelman]

James B. Hill's great grandson! This ditcher displays his two major inventions.The wheel has no axle so it can go deeper without such a cumbersome diameter as well as the extra weight and the "apron wheels" or tracks as we call them today. And, *BLUSH* , help in getting this ditcher running again involved several dozens of people, helpful suggestions and a hand from numerous onlookers and lots of help even from out of state! And it's still a work in progress! Thanks to all, Larry

[bulletman100]

is that chain supposed to be loose and flopping like that?

[steamshovelman]

Well, the wheel is up in the air and it needs slack for when it gets lowered into the ground. The "lumps" or stiff spots no! She took quite some smacking with a hammer on links to get them wiggling but she runs nice now.

[steamshovelman]

...and heavy too! Had to take it apart to move it to the show where it's at now (Gallupville, NY)

[mikes47jeep]

could use a couple cans of PB blaster :-)

[steamshovelman]

LOL We used two GALLON cans of PB blaster to this point along with used crankcase oil, heating with torch and whacking with hammers from ballpein to sledge hammer!

[AuAsEz]

They say the dirtier the oil the better for those chains.

[MrTubetraveller]

Amazing, but unable to dig anymore(

[RAWRXxXKEALIIXxXRAWR]

looks like it needs a tensioner... the chains floppin everywhere o.O

[stephmc111]

got oil?

[grahamovgibb]

Reading these comments.... Wow that's some crazy shit got it working! Impressive fa sho!

[cmarquezproducciones]

impresionante

[jenandnick7203]

My great grandfather invented this machine!

[LinnTractorNut]

Watched them apply a lot of lubricant to what I thought was a lifeless lump of rust to bring it back to life, "Crazy Larry" can restore anything, just ask him. And Mike Verkleir was around there a bit too as I recall, another guy who can tickle tons of steel just right.

[dumbcow1]

fix the chains lol, if u get thoes tight again.. you mite be able 2 bring alot of life back into it