There’s lots of gearhead stuff that we have no real practical use for, but just really want. Count an old Linn half-track as one of the latter. The machines were made in New York from 1916-1952 and were aimed at the civilian market for businesses like logging, pipe laying, etc. The Linn shown in these videos is powered by a 350ci Chevy engine, which is obviously not stock. Made from 1916 to 1952 there were about 2500 total Linn tractors ever built. The one you will see playing in the snow here is a 1945 model so one of the more advanced of the series. The Linn is actually tied in pretty closely with the Lombard log hauler we have told you about here. Linn actually worked for Lombard as a salesmen and demonstrator on those huge machines and eventually came to want something of his own. He had Lombard design the Linn’s first version in 1907 and he advanced it from there. As was to be expected at the time, Lombard sued Linn and tried to put his out of business. It was (and is) the American way. Ungh.
Linn developed a really good flexible track system that allowed for great traction and a better “ride” than the more rigid systems employed on machines like the Lombard and Hornsby crawlers we have showed you on these pages. In short, he was on his way. Other advantages were the cargo platform which meant that the thing did not have to drag a wagon behind it or carts which could troublesome in tight spots thought the woods and other locations. The Linn was also discovered to be very adept at plowing snow and many units were sent to rural areas and fitting with V-plows to clear roads during the 1920s. The Linn tractor was basically the victim of automotive technology as big four wheel drive trucks became more popular, easier to use, and less expensive to operate and eventually the machine was simply not current with the needs of the times. We’d say that a 30+ year run is pretty awesome, though!
The small block Chevy in this one is a nice addition and it sounds pretty awesome slogging this big iron giant though the snow fields we see it in here. Put this one our list of awesome stuff we have just discovered. Think we can sell the Mrs on the practical uses for a Linn tractor? This baby looks like a total riot to screw around with!
The owner of that Linn is Joey Barnes, The King Of Obsolete. Really awesome guy and worth checking out. He actually uses his Linn to haul freight up in Alaska. My grandfather owns 4 Linns (One a beautifully restored ’26 4-cylinder model) and we recently went on a roadtrip to meet a fellow who owns 12 of them. A fellow up in Maine has a collection of about 18. Linn ownership is kind of like an extended family, all these guys know each other and are always calling each other to buy and sell parts or try and locate more to buy. It’s a lot like an addiction.
Joey is in Lynn Lake Manitoba Canada, not Alaska. Check out his website at kingofobsolete.ca
It’s crazy to think that these things are so rare that a lot of people have never heard of one or seen one, when I’ve been around them my entire life. Pretty amazing pieces of technology. The big selling feature is that it was near impossible to throw the inner track off.
Later models near the end had a weird cabover front end and had a set of tuck axles and tires mounted inboard of the tracks on hydraulic rams. The concept was that you could drive it out of the woods on the tracks, then run the tires down on the rams and drive it on the road on the rubber tires. They didn’t work so well in practice though
Nick, don’t give away my next story! LOL
Very cool to hear of your experience with these cool beasts.
Sorry. If you guys were interested, I’m sure I could get my grandfather to give you the tour of his collection. He loves showing people around the place.
Holy smokes…..YES!
Let me talk to him and see if it’s okay (Should be) and we can try and set up a visit. He’s got a lot of other neat stuff too. Tons of old Caterpillars and a lot of Model A stuff.
Cool – email is [email protected]
Pick me up along the way. I’ll buy the beer!