1917 Holt 75 Caterpillar 1/8 Scale Model (Approximately)

This model tractor is number 5 of five built by Bob Manske of Yates Center, Kansas.  Mr. Manske was eighty-four years old when he completed this model in 1997.  The other four models required about one year each to build.  This model took two years to complete due to health problems.

The engine castings are from Cole's Model Company of Ventura, California and feature a 15/16 inch cylinder bore and 1-1/4 inch piston stroke.  Total engine displacement is 3.47 cubic inches and the compression ratio is 8.5 to 1.  Horsepower is unknown.

Mr. Manske did all of the model engine machine work and built several model engines prior to building model tractors.  He found an original Holt 75 parts book.  Using the pictures and dimensions from the parts book, he fabricated the tractor and all of its parts.  The transmission case was cast in aluminum by Bob to house the gears he obtained from Boston Gear Company.

Some of the gears (steering, final drive) required re-machining.  Mr. Manske's daughter made the curtains.  Prior to his retirement and model building, Bob was a mechanic at a Buick dealership in Wichita, Kansas.

This model was reworked by Steve Jones of Stl Tikn Machinery in Colfax, California. Steve rebuilt the intake manifold to increase the velocity which allowed the engine to idle property. He made aluminum connecting rods, replaced the pistons, and remachined the crankshaft and bearings.  Steve also fabricated the diamond plate fenders and galvanized fuel tank.  Deloy Scott of Stl Tikn Machinery did all painting.  Originally built to run on gasoline with spark plugs, the engine now runs with model engine fuel and glow plugs,  Electricity is supplied by a battery pack under the tractor.

We still have this model.