Holt Steam Crawler by Don Hunter

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

My friend Tom Madden asked me to post these pictures for him as he said he isn't "an IT" guy. This old f@rt doesn't even know what "IT" stands for, but here they are for your enjoyment. Don Hunter built this Holt Crawler, starting with only an original crankshaft. To me, that isn't a replica, that is a restoration! Tom you may take it from here. Gary

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

[Marshal Reysen]

Now that's a work of art. Marshal

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Marshal,
You are so correct. "Phenomenal Craftsmanship" sounds like such inadequate words to describe this project. Incidently it runs well on air, I'm told. The "motor" (engine proper) is mostly fabricated and welded steel.

This engine will be under steam at the Best Show on Tracks, Woodland, CA, which I know Tom will further expound on. It will be June 20-22. www.bestshowontracks.org
Gary

[Marcel Peumans]

As you say Gary, the right words to express myself when I saw these pictures probably don't exist, but I'll give it a try: ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!

There are quite a few scale models, but I think I've never seen anybody building a full scale engine.

Thanks for posting
Marcel

[Tom Madden]

Thanks Gary for posting. As Gary said, come to Woodland, California June 20, 21 and 22, 2008 and see this traction engine operate. Don has about 20,000 hours and lots of $$$$ tied up in this project and wants to share the engine with the collecting world.

The Holt is +/- 24 feet long, 10 feet wide and 14 feet tall. It was constructed by Don starting with an original Holt crankshaft.

Words and pictures DO NOT DO THIS ENGINE JUSTICE!! When you first walk into Don's shop and see this traction engine, you are awestruck!! You cannot help but feel that you are so humbled by the size and beauty of Don's creation. To have the time, $$$ and then the talent to envision and construct such a monumental creation is literally other worldly.

Where else can you see this Holt, a Best 110 steam traction engine pulling the only operational Best harvester in the world, a 1903 Holt ground propelled harvester being pulled by 26 mules and the largest collection of Best, Holt and early Caterpillar tractors every assembled. The harvesters will be operating daily cutting 25 acres of grain. Please come and join us at our show. www.bestshowontracks.com

[Chris P]

WOW that's an amazing job CONTRATS How did you come up with the it is truly a piece of art

CHRIS

[Gerry Boose]

Thanks for the pictures. That is an excellent piece of machinery.

[K D Redd]

All I can say is WOW !!!!!!!!!!!

Kent

[Big 4-20]

Been to 7 different County Fairs and a Cat Herding contest - none of that compares to this!

Seriously - that is so incredibly exceptional that you can't think of enough words to say to totally describe it. Just like a great piece of artwork...

My hat is off to Mr. Hunter!

[JKWidener]

That piece needs to be in a museum somewhere. "but taken out for shows in the summer" That is truly a masterpiece. My hats off to you...

[Tom Madden]

Big 4-20, man you know that you cannot herd Cats. We are however going to give it a try in June. If you didn't have to sell all of those Olive crawlers you too could come out and take the helm of Don's tractor. Maybe you should come out early in the week and fly back Thursday night for your weekend job.

[JHFoster]

Leviathan. What a wonderful beast this must be to be around!!!!

[Randy L Peterson]

Holy Smoly thats NICE...

[Tanner Remillard]

now THAT is a work of art, and a real love for old iron. Going to have to make the trip to the Best Show on Tracks for sure...........

[Robert M]

I seen some beautiful sunsets... but that is truely Gorgeous!
Wonderful workmanship!

[Phil Johnson]

Now that is CRAFTSMANSHIP with a Capital C!! More like a resurrection from an original part. Truly awesome.

[fhanda]

Why would he need to be an IT guy? All I can say is WOW, looking forward to seeing it at Woodland, absolutely beautiful!!!!

[Kiwi Todd]

Nice to see all Dons efforts come to fruition....I was in Dons shop back in June 2005 and he was well on the way then with the chassis & track gear complete and the gearing underway......NO boiler at that time but it was on the drawing board. The photos posted here exceed what I thought would be the end result.........My hat goes of to Don and any else that was one associated with this mammoth accomplishment.

[Brothers Clemens]

Hello Gary and Don.
Wow. fantastic and wonderfull dinesaurus
When you are clear now, can you make me a Hart Parr 60-100
Once this was the biggest dinesaurus of all the dinesaurusses
When i see this, i know you can do it
if you make the 60-100 we are one of the first ones who are going to vizit it and standing in frond of the row to see it
Clemens Brothers
The Netherlands