Diesel fifty

Here is one from Google

Could be D50 or RD7 unless an early date of the photo rules out an RD7.

The smallest child is my aunt and she was born in 1935. The oldest was my Dad and he was born in 1929. My grand father always said that he ran the first diesel crawler that Marion county Iowa bought. I found a news letter from the Cat dealer that they sold a Diesel fifty to them in 1935. I was just trying to figure out if this is that crawler. Thanks.

By the tin work for sprocket guard that is the same as a RD 7. But that sure doesn't have to mean it is not a 50D.


If I have not got things twisted in my memory, my grandpa bought a 35D in the fall of 34 for $3400. Again if I have not mixed it up,the dealer got 2 35D with one sold before it arrived to Frank Ernst ( for the slo co members here). They had arranged many demonstrations for the other 35D. But my grandpa had money in hand and got a discount for letting them take it to other farms for the demonstrations. As well as having the sales show up with with people to take for a "little test drive".


So you have the time of the picture pinned down to real close. Since your not trying to sell picture for "the big bucks" no harm no foul if its not.

Interesting history Ray54.

Not long after your grandpa bought his 35D, Grandpa Root bought 2 35D's (I don't know if they were on the same order), and went to work discing orchards for Associated Almond Growers, they later became Jackson & Reinhert. He did a lot of custom work including custom harvesting with his Caterpillar 34 combine. They did quite well thru the depression, even bought a new car.