Commendable Bruce 👍 Now I see the master plan for the 45 : ) It will be a gem once done that's for sure. We're all looking forward to progress reports, however far apart.
....that thing is just cool....nice score..
What a nice requisition Bruce. It's gonna be a challenge but looks like a fun project.
You sure run into some neat machinery!
What a nice requisition Bruce. It's gonna be a challenge but looks like a fun project.
You sure run into some neat machinery!
That will be quite the project, I have thought with a restoration like this where would one find the proper wood, seasoned, fine grain I would guess white pine that doesn't hardly exist anymore. Possibly kiln dried pine? but whats to say they used anything special? may have been green wood that once bolted in place didn't move except to shrink, the big timbers like the main frame and header support could certainly twist and warp causing problems. Like any company they probably used the best wood for the cheapest price. The San Joaquin County Ag Museum between Lodi and Stockton have several wood Holts un-restored but in what I would consider decent condition to duplicate, and several sheet metal Holts in beautiful condition and a wood Harris. There is a beautifully restored Haines Houser at the Haggin Museum downtown Stockton. Looking at the pictures, I thought that Holt/Cat used a screw jack leveling system and Harris used the rack and pinion ?? Don't forget to put a cup holder on it as well. You will have to stock up on 1/4 x 3 carriage bolts and square nuts. Tad
I think one advantage of the wood construction is that it would be easy enough to mock the unit up in the cheapest lumber you can find (even plywood) as a proof of concept, and then once it's proven, then use that as the template for the high quality wood. It would get you moving ahead very fast, and since it would effectively be built, assessed and modified (shave a bit here, add a bit there), and then built permanently, it would be dang near perfect.
Boy are you going to have a nice woodworking shop when you are done....I restored a steam locomotive and cars 20 years ago.... spent a lot on buying nice tools....WA7OPY
It is good to have encouragement!
The boss is looking into having me committed.
One of the upsides to living in the PNW is there are lots of small sawmills that can make custom lumber. I also happen to have a neighbor that is an absolute wizard at wood working, he lit up light a Christmas tree when I told him my plans.
One thing I noticed on the Holt Junior I took apart was the huge amount of wood screws, they must’ve used a brace and bit to screw them all in.
Tad, I’ve only been around 3 wood Holt combines, but all three used a rack. Later on they did indeed use a screw jack, but then went back to a rack on the 36. Ive seen early galvanized 36 Cats with a screw.
BP.
Before you move it take lots and lots of pics, have tape in the pics so you can gauge sizes. You will find the wood will all fall apart before you get it home.. Load up any metal part that is within 50 ft of the harvester. When I restored the wooden rail cars I found parts 12 inches under the ground dug up everything and used a strong magnet. What you don't have you have to make and home depot don't have parts....WA7OPY
Our channel highlights machines from the earliest Holt and Best track-type tractors, equipment from the start of Caterpillar in 1925, up to units built in the mid-1960s.
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