Caterpillar track tractor celebrates 100 years

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Peter Holt, CEO of HOLT CAT and owner of the San Antonio Spurs, greeted customers at HOLT CAT's 100-year celebration of the Caterpillar tractor in Waco. Holt poses in front of a new D6R XL track-type tractor. Photo by Mindy Poehl

May 6, 2004 -- HOLT CAT celebrated the 100th anniversary of the "Caterpillar" track-type tractor on Tuesday, April 27, at its Waco location on Loop 340.

In 1904, Benjamin Holt developed the idea of using self-layering tracks, instead of wheels, on tractors because the loose soil greatly delayed the heavy equipment. Making its debut on Thanksgiving of 1904, Holt's machine was called the "Caterpillar" because it crawled across the wheat fields of California.

"The Caterpillar was unique because it gained traction and floated, rather than sinking into the ground," said Brett Cornell, metroplex regional parts manager for HOLT CAT.

Caterpillar tractors fought mud and towed equipment for the Allied military forces in World War I.

"It was revolutionary because the tracks replaced mules," said Peter Holt, great-grandson of Benjamin Holt and current chief executive officer of HOLT CAT, as well as owner of the San Antonio Spurs.

During World War II, the Caterpillar became famous and it was used as a bulldozer.

"General Eisenhower said there were four things that helped us win the war," Holt said. "Those four things were airplanes, tanks, submarines and bulldozers."

Carrying on the family's name and inventiveness, the company began developing root plows and root rakes. Caterpillars quickly took on the role of road building and earth-moving. Expanding its products beyond tractors, the company marketed and manufactured gas compressors powered by Caterpillar engines and moved on to creating water wagons and land clearing equipment.

"Forty percent of the large trucks you see on the roads use our engines," Holt said.

Holt was on hand to greet customers during the Waco celebration. HOLT CAT's customers were invited to the event, which displayed the history of the company's developments. Customers received goody bags containing pens, hats, dvd's and coins, as well as a tour with different equipment demonstrations.

According to HOLT CAT officials, the company is devoted to being an environmental leader, working on modifying its equipment to be environmentally sound.

"We take a lead on how to deal with disposal," Holt said. "We research cleaner burning engines and we have the cleanest burning diesel engine in the world."

HOLT CAT is the largest Caterpillar equipment dealer in the United States.