Here’s some cool footage for all of you heavy equipment dork out there like me. I found this 1960 US Army progress report on the development of a universal engineering tractor and it is pretty great. The thing was a bulldozer, a scraper, a hauler, and in many ways a complete jack of all trades. Relatively light weight and able to be dropped into locations with a helicopter, it was a bit of a mighty mite in the world of equipment.
I love old equipment without cabs. This tractor fits the bill. There’s something about the size perspective that comes with being able to see the operator right out there in the open and not all covered up in his own little house. Of course cabs make operating the equipment much better and in the case of war-zone operation it allows for a measure of protection to be added for said operator.
Judging by the speeds shown in this video, the thing could get down the road or over smooth terrain like nobody’s business. The whole thing is neat. Ever seen one in action?
