How about something with tracks ? Emblem removed. Photo from Dan Souday.



Jeff

Allis Chalmers

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I Can Break Anything

Just to cover the bases I'll say Phoenix Centipede. Tom

I wasn't aware Phoenix made a gas job. I've only heard of Phoenix steamers.

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I Can Break Anything

Phoenix Centipede by the Phoenix Manufacturing Co. of Eau Claire, WI. - "Makers of saw mill machinery -logging equipment"



Edit: The correct spelling as per company lit. is "Centiped"

Will give Daryl some support with the Allis Chalmers.

Brocky

Going to go with Tom. Phoenix Centipede.

Phoenix Centipede for me too ==

Trucks, give me trucks!!! --- I'M LIKING TRUCKSWhen we see what we want to see, and hear what we want to hear---- all too often we miss the point!


I'm where I'm at when I'm all there! But,when I'm here, how can I be all there?

George Murphey --

Tom LaBotz has the bases covered indeed. This is a Phoenix Centiped from 1918. I am not that familiar with Phoenix, but apparently their gasoline engines go back to at least 1916, and if the caption on our last photo can be believed, 1914. Phoenix built their 1st Centiped in 1909 using a locomotive boiler and a 100 hp 4 cylinder vertical steam engine. The tracks were built under a Lombard patent. The last Phoenix Centiped was built in 1918. Thanks to Dan Souday for these photos.







Jeff

Hello Jeff,

Here is some more stuff. Those who said Allis Chalmers can be forgiven to some extent - Allis Chalmers purchased the rights and (unsuccessfully) offered their own version of the Phoenix tractor to the war department during the war years (1917-1918). Thus the confusion. The way to tell the Phoenix machine from the Chalmers is comparing the hood and radiator.

The Chalmers and Phoenix versions both used a track design developed by C.L. Tolles (Pat. 1106595, Nov. 1, 1912) Tolles had developed this design during his time at Phoenix. In turn, Tolles design was based on the 1900 Lombard patent as used under license by Phoenix on their steam powered machines.

In fact Tolles served as a key witness for the plaintiff in the C.L. Best Gas Traction Co. V. The Holt Manufacturing Co. Countersuit which was in response to Holts equity lawsuit of 1915. Brought into the suit by C.L. Best, this ensnared Lombard for many years.

Anyway... here are some more visuals:

According to a letter I have in my collection (see below) Phoenix tested the machine in Florida. (where I believe most of these photos were taken) While the letter provides a date It does not state the year!

Interestingly in 1922 - towards the end of Phoenix's slide into oblivion They decided to make another attempt at the market... with a new steam powered tractor. Whether or not the prototype was ever completed or if any ever made it to market is simply not known.

Note how the name is spelled on the side of the bed. Phoenix always dropped the 'E' at the end but invariably the various articles etc. spell it with the "E"