Holt tractor facts for kids
The Holt tractors were powerful machines with continuous tracks, like the treads on a tank. They were built by the Holt Manufacturing Company in Stockton, California. These tractors were named after the company's founder, Benjamin Holt.
Between 1908 and 1913, some of the very first Holt caterpillar tractors were put to the test. They helped build the huge Los Angeles Aqueduct project. This was a great way to show how strong and reliable these machines were.
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Holt Tractors in World War I
Holt tractors played a very important role during the First World War. The British, French, and American armies used them a lot. They were perfect for pulling heavy artillery pieces, like giant cannons called howitzers.
Thousands of Holt tractors helped move these massive guns across difficult battlefields. About 2,000 Holt 75s, nearly 700 Holt 120s, and 63 Holt 60s were used in the war. Interestingly, some of the very first tanks, like the French Schneider CA1 and Saint-Chamond, and the German A7V, were actually based on the design of Holt tractors!
Different Models of Holt Tractors
Holt made several models, but three were especially important for military use. These were the Holt 75, the Holt 120, and the Holt 60.
The Holt 75 Tractor
The Holt 75 was first made in 1913. It used two tracks to steer, which made it very agile. This model could reach a top speed of about 15 miles per hour (24 km/h). It ran on a gasoline engine. Besides being built in the United States, 442 Holt 75s were also made in Britain. Production of the Holt 75 continued until 1924.
The Holt 120 Tractor
The Holt 120 was an even more powerful model, with 120 horsepower. It was designed specifically to pull very heavy artillery. This tractor weighed around 18,000 pounds (about 8,165 kg). A prototype was ready in 1914, and full production started in 1915. It often had a steering wheel at the front, but it was usually covered up.
The Holt 60 Tractor
The Holt 60 was introduced in 1911. It was used less often in the war compared to the 75 and 120 models.
Images for kids
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An 8-inch howitzer Mk V being pulled by a Holt tractor at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
