953 nut 55,198 #1 Posted April 23 Olmsted Tractor The Olmstead Gas Traction Company was founded by Charles Olmstead in 1912 in Big Timber, MT and would later move to Great Falls, MT. The Olmstead Gas Traction Company built only one model tractor, the 25-30, called the Olmstead Four Wheel Pull, it was also the only tractor known to have been built in Montana. It is believed that less than 100 of these machines were built. Very little is known about Mr. Olmstead or his company. The Olmstead tractor was one of the earliest attempts at an all-wheel powered tractor, it was built with an articulated frame caring the engine on the rear half and the fuel tank and tool boxes on the front half. The operator stood at the rear of the tractor manipulating the thirty-foot-long chain drive tractor without power steering. According to an article in Motor Age, in 1914, “the Olmstead Gas Traction Company of Great Falls, Mt. purchased the plant of the Curtis Truck and Forging Co. of Decatur, IL to manufacture four-wheel-pull gasoline tractors for road and farm work of all kinds. Due to the heavy freight charges from Montana to the middle states, the company felt the necessity for an eastern plant and decided to locate in Decatur, IL.’ The engine of the Olmstead Four Wheel Pull is a four-cycle Clifton engine rated at 28 HP. The engine is equipped with priming cups and compression release ***** to ease cranking. It is a water-cooled L head and the design and construction provide ample space for water with an abundant circulation, ensuring cool cylinders when the motor is working its limit of power and speed as well as when running a light load. The engine is assured of longer life than in most tractors because the machine is spring mounted and the springs take up all jars, keeping the engine protected when ruts or obstacles are encountered while at work. Apparently, the plan to relocate to Decatur never materialized as nothing further can be found. 7 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
