Hey Gang,

I traveled to Peterson Tractor Shop in San Leandro, Ca. today to meet up with Ed Akin and Duane Doyle. Ed Akin has had a dream of building a Siamese Twin D8. He acquired a set of Buster Peterson's Drawings of the original builds. Duane, the owner of Peterson Tractor, is the Grandson of Howard Peterson. The Three of us met last year and decided to become equal partners to recreate one of these special tractors. Ed donated two D8's and stripped them down. I donated the shipping, and had Ed Ponte deliver the frames to the original shop that built all the Siamese Tractors. Duane wanted the build to happen in the same spot for history sake. Ponte then delivered the two engines to my shop, I'm responsible to rebuild them. Duane has married the frames together. Tuesday Ponte will ship the tracks, idlers, hard noses, radiator, blades, push arms, and so on down to the shop. The Peterson Shop has done a Great Job!!!!! I am Proud to be Partners with such a Great Team!!! Thank You Ed Akin and Duane Doyle for letting me be part of such an exciting and Historical Build!!! glen

PS. Look at the picture of the steel beam uprights. The riveted one on the left and drain pipe down next to it, used to be the end of the original shop that built the Siamese Cats. The beam on the right was the extension of the building.

Technical difficulty
Dang I phones send them sideways
I'll be back!!

Hey Gang,

Some Pictures;

Here are some more pics

Wow what a great project to embark on. Please keep posting on the project,t that will be a sight to see when all completed and I'm sure a great story for the magazine! Good Luck!

Pretty ambitious project, nice to have the resources and facility to get er done.

Hi, Glen.
Now how did I know????????????????????????????????? Tweet, tweet, tweet, little birdie???????????????????

Great to see the progress, Glen. MANY thanks for sharing. It will be a real sight to see when it's done.

Thanks again.

Just my 0.02.

But can't remember does the inboard drives do anything? Also can't remember how the engine speeds are regulated?

That's pretty neat. I am interested to see the progress. That must be where my D7 was overhauled as it has Peterson Caterpillar tags riveted to the engines. I think the date is 1949.

Bruce P

Thanks for posting, Glen. It will be amazing to see that piece of history recreated and pushing dirt again. It will also be interesting to see how you haul that around.

I'm thinking side by side lowboys? One under each track. I'd love to see Oil Slick and you trying to coordinate going straight, let alone trying to negotiate turns. I guarantee I'll find a way to be there to see that!

Pete.