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Caterpillar track steam engine by R. Hornsby & Sons
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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
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Media ID 4436631
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Agricultural Caterpillar Chain Engines Hornsby Machinery Motion Sons Track Tracked Traction Tractor
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases the first and original Caterpillar or walking engine, manufactured by R. Hornsby & Sons of Grantham in 1899. At the time, R. Hornsby & Sons was a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery, producing steam engines to power threshing machines and other equipment. One of their most significant innovations was the portable steam engine, which became the market leader. In July 1904, Hornsby's chief engineer and managing director, David Roberts, developed and patented the caterpillar track. Initially, these tracks were added to oil-engined tractors, but their use expanded to military applications. In 1910, caterpillar-tracked tractors were employed by the British Army to tow artillery, and later, from 1916, they were fitted to tanks during the First World War. The photograph captures the essence of this pioneering engineering achievement. The Caterpillar engine, with its distinctive tracks, represents a significant turning point in transportation technology, paving the way for the development of modern tracked vehicles. The innovation and ingenuity of R. Hornsby & Sons, as demonstrated in this photograph, continue to inspire and influence the engineering industry to this day.
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