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Early Best Steamer and gas tractors

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James Lawrence

12-11-1999 22:08:44




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I am looking for any information on Daniel Best Steamer tractors built in the early 1900's. Also information about his brother Charlie's gas tractors built after 1910. I believe these brothers sold out to Mr. Holt who then formed the Cat. Co. Books, manuels, and photo's are what I need. Any information on this subject will be appreciated. Thank you, and Merry Christmas, James Lawrence




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Paul Halferty

03-16-2000 14:28:50




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 Re: Early Best Steamer and gas tractors in reply to James Lawrence, 12-11-1999 22:08:44  
My paternal grandmother was Tirza Best. David Best was her uncle, Daniel being her first cousin. I never heard of Charlie. The story is easily found in tractor history books, and encyclopedias. Daniel sold out to Holt under the condition that he cease producing crawler tractors, which Best was manufacturing for the orchard & logging industry in Ca. However, Daniel took the money, retooled, and went back to manufacturing. That time, Holt offered a merger, and they became Catapiller Tractor.

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Robert Greene

12-13-1999 06:07:02




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 Re: Early Best Steamer and gas tractors in reply to James Lawrence, 12-11-1999 22:08:44  
There's an operating Best at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, CA. I've operated it as part of the crew. I think it actually belongs to the City of Oakland. Vertical boiler, wood fired, slow and quiet. There are also a lot of Holts at the Ag museum in (Senior moment), CA - up on the delta. Again, it'll come to me later.
I'll see if I can dig out a contact from my archives - Glen Christiansen comes to mind....

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