Something unusual followed me home last week
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=191731
Printed Date: 25 Aug 2025 at 6:56am
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Topic: Something unusual followed me home last week
Posted By: JohnColo
Subject: Something unusual followed me home last week
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2022 at 10:51pm
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Anyone ever hear of a Terratrac crawler? I bought one on an online auction about 35 miles away. It's a model K, I'm guessing around 25 hp, has a Continental flat head four with the distributor coming through the middle of the head. Been converted to 12 volt but whoever did the conversion did a nice job, almost looks factory. What I have been able to learn is that TerrraTrac's were made in Churubusco, Indiana from 1950 until Case bought them out in 1956. It's a rather cute little machine, probably weighs around 4000 lb. Has a hydraulic pump on the front of the engine and PTO. Looks like it could have had a three point hitch option too. |
Replies:
Posted By: JoeM(GA)
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 5:28am
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We need pictures John! ------------- Allis Express North Georgia 41 WC,48 UC Cane,7-G's, Ford 345C TLB |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 8:01am
 f
 This it ,do a goggle search E ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 8:50am
Is that the one that became the Case terratrac 310? ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 9:25am
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What I seen Case did buy them out . ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 12:21pm
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I believe that they had a planetary differential for steering rather than steering clutches. Not as reactive as steering clutches but but had the advantage that both tracks were engaged when turning. A big advantage if you were working on sloped ground. ------------- Jack of all trades, master of none |
Posted By: KMAG
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 12:24pm
| The started out as surplus WW2 Clark airborne tractor parts. Their steering clutches don't stick after sitting. :) |
Posted By: Ray54
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2022 at 1:41pm
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There was Case 310 floating around the neighborhood with loader and the same backhoe as the Case 580B had. We borrowed for a water project. It got the job done and I am very much a novice backhoe operator. This one had a history of air cleaner leaks. Just know it got here because it needed rings, that a friend put in so he could use it. It was around 2 or 3 years. The owner moved and sold with property. The new owner had engine trouble real soon. So something to keep a eye on, if they are the same design.
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Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2022 at 12:37pm
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KMAG, the planetary differential doesn't have steering clutches, only steering brake bands that when one is applied it forces one track to speed up and the other track to slow down thus initiating a turn. The planetary differential bands run in oil so there are no stuck clutches or bands. ------------- Jack of all trades, master of none |
Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2022 at 12:49pm
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I forgot to mention that the early Bombardier and Thiocol tracked vehicles used a planetary differential for steering before they started using hydraulic drives. ------------- Jack of all trades, master of none |
Posted By: JohnColo
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2022 at 9:49pm
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Ray, I guess this one would have a bit of a dirt leaking problem as there is no tube from the air cleaner to the carb. Pulled the carb off to clean it, don't think it was run without the tube. The steering system is interesting, I had no idea it was that kind of system. I have yet to find much info on the K, I wonder if the Case 300 series uses the same system. Probably a better chance of finding a book on the Case. Thanks for all the information guys! |
Posted By: Roach
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2022 at 7:08pm
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I got my Terra Trac in1984 and used it for years before transmission and ring and pinion went out. When I finally got around to restoring it, I found out a lot about it and Case in the early years after they acquired Terra Trac. Transmission and rear end were made by Clark and thanks to Zimmerman in Pennsylvania, I was able to find most good used parts for it. I tore it completely down and rebuilt the motor, transmission, final drives, ring and pinion, front Idlers and track adjustors. I have 5 small crawlers and the Terra Trac and Cletrac both have the Clark set up are the easiest to drive and steer of any of them. I might add that mine is a G456 model and the first one made. serial number 001.  ------------- 1937 WC, 1948 G,1954 CA,1956 WD45, 1967 D17, 1937 M crawler, 1963 D-19, 1966 190XT, 1967 D-15, 1948 HG42 Cletrac, 1955 G456 Terra Trac, CAT 10 1928 and CAT 22 1938 |
Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2022 at 7:16am
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The father of the TerraTrac was the Clarkair CA-1 tractor. It was used in airborne attack, flown in on CG-4A gliders, and used to clear flat areas (particularly of 'Rommel's Toothpicks) to allow motorized landing/takeoff of troop and supply transports. There's a lovely example of the CA-1 on display at the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, Texas, but I'm having difficulty getting a picture to post...
------------- Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest. |
Posted By: DonBC
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2022 at 12:56pm
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Planetary differentials were also used for steering second world tanks as there was power to both tracks under all circumstances. ------------- Jack of all trades, master of none |
Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2022 at 11:24pm
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------------- Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest. |