Caterpillar track steam engine by R. Hornsby & Sons
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Caterpillar track steam engine by R. Hornsby & Sons
The first and original Caterpillar or walking engine made by R. Hornsby & Sons of Grantham. R. Hornsby & Sons grew into a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery, at their Spittle Gate Works. The firm went on to produce steam engines used to drive threshing machines and other equipment such as traction engines; their portable steam engine was one of their most important products and the market leader. Later a chain-track was added to an oil-engined tractor: the caterpillar track; these were developed and patented by Hornsbys chief engineer (and managing director), David Roberts, from July 1904. These were first used on tractors which served with the British Army towing artillery from 1910, but were later fitted to tanks which were used in the First World War from 1916. In 1909, a development model called the Little Caterpillar was demonstrated to the War Office. The army officers present at the demonstration believed it would frighten the horses
Media ID 4436631
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Agricultural Caterpillar Chain Engines Hornsby Machinery Motion Sons Track Tracked Traction Tractor
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