Cat 30
Caterpillar Thirty
Caterpillar Thirty
The Caterpillar Model 30 was one of the first models sold by the Caterpillar Company after it was formed in 1925 by the merger of Holt Manufacturing and C.L. Best. The invention of “track-layer” equipment like this revolutionized agriculture in the early 1900s. These were the first machines that could maneuver in the wet soil and steep terrain found in western Oregon’s timberlands. The Cat Model 30 was gas-powered and was phased out by 1931 when it was replaced by more powerful and economical diesel-powered models.
The Caterpillar Model 30 was one of the first models sold by the Caterpillar Company after it was formed in 1925 by the merger of Holt Manufacturing and C.L. Best. The invention of “track-layer” equipment like this revolutionized agriculture in the early 1900s. These were the first machines that could maneuver in the wet soil and steep terrain found in western Oregon’s timberlands. The Cat Model 30 was gas-powered and was phased out by 1931 when it was replaced by more powerful and economical diesel-powered models.
The Model 30 on display was manufactured about 1930 in Peoria Illinois and weighed 9930 pounds, before adding the rear drum and blade in front. It was rated at 35 horsepower at the drawbar and probably cost about $2,200 in 1930, a sizable sum in the early days of the Great Depression.
The Model 30 on display was manufactured about 1930 in Peoria Illinois and weighed 9930 pounds, before adding the rear drum and blade in front. It was rated at 35 horsepower at the drawbar and probably cost about $2,200 in 1930, a sizable sum in the early days of the Great Depression.
It was painted grey at the factory rather than the more familiar “Caterpillar Yellow” color, which was not introduced until 1932. It is one of the few remaining Model 30’s that were retrofitted for logging, with a dozer blade in the front and a drum in the rear. It was used for small logging operations.
It was painted grey at the factory rather than the more familiar “Caterpillar Yellow” color, which was not introduced until 1932. It is one of the few remaining Model 30’s that were retrofitted for logging, with a dozer blade in the front and a drum in the rear. It was used for small logging operations.
It was owned by Oral Varley (1912-1990). Oral was a high climber and logger who worked in the woods his entire life. He knew how hard a logger’s life could be in the early days and, as the century unfolded, appreciated how machines made it a little bit easier. Oral worked for Clark and Wilson Lumber Company, loaded steam donkeys, fought the Tillamook Burn fires, and was nearly killed by a rolling log. Learn more about Oral.
It was owned by Oral Varley (1912-1990). Oral was a high climber and logger who worked in the woods his entire life. He knew how hard a logger’s life could be in the early days and, as the century unfolded, appreciated how machines made it a little bit easier. Oral worked for Clark and Wilson Lumber Company, loaded steam donkeys, fought the Tillamook Burn fires, and was nearly killed by a rolling log. Learn more about Oral.
The Caterpillar 30 was donated by Oral’s daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Steve Gift in memory of Oral Varley.
The Caterpillar 30 was donated by Oral’s daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Steve Gift in memory of Oral Varley.
