1947 gas crawler

[Cindy Murdoch]

Hi - I want to sell an old crawler we have. Before selling I want to find out as much as possible about this crawler so I can answer questions from buyers.
Here is what I know about the crawler from the tag on the back of the blade:
1947 Corps of Engineers
US Army Airborne Equipment Bulldozer
Manufactured by PLANT CHOATE MFG INC
COFEPQ (all the letters I can make out)

It looks like perhaps this was originally painted green,but it is now yellow like a regular bulldozer.

Runs on regular gas. Very small size overall, maybe 10" long at most and 4-5" wide.

Needs some work and this spring we might be able to do some of the work like replacing hoses and the seat for driving. It did run up to 5 years ago when my husband parked it. He died for almost 15 mins and when revived he lost his vision and memory. So I don"t have much of a clue about even how to start it (key or ?). Hate to see it sitting there getting older when it could be used or admired by someone who would value it.

Any info so I can get it up for sale would be much appreciated. Also, any idea of what kind of price I should be asking for it?

 

[Brian Allen]

Cindy
Sorry to hear of your troubles. Life is precious!
That sound like it is the data plate for the blade, the crawler should have one too, look around the engine and frame.
I do not know very much about those old crawlers.
Others should be able to help.
Brian

 

[noncompos]

Cindy: While I've never been around one of these, it looks and sounds like you have what was called in WWII a Clark Airborne crawler, carried on gliders and airdropped (with big parachutes, usually, but not always, if they didn't open correctly).
It could also be a later model produced after the war for civilian use, but, either way, it's desired by collectors. You'll want to Google Clark Airborne Crawlers to start; that should bring up some sites with pix and info. As Brian said, there should be "tags" (thin metal pieces about 2"x3" or so) somewhere on the frame and the side of the engine.
Price depends on dozens of variables, but anything running will bring a much better price than something "running when it was parked" (which, even when true, leaves open the question of what's rusted together since).
But for God's sake don't let it get scrapped. If you'd like some other sites to post to when you have more info feel free to email. Bud

 

[noncompos]

Cindy: Forgot to mention the design for your crawler probably started out as a US Forest Service Trail Tractor, deliberately designed small to get into tight places in forests etc to build trails and to do as little damage as possible. Googling Forest Service Trail Tractor should bring up some comments. Designer was named Flynn, as I recall. Bud

 

[Anonymous-0]

LaPlante-Choate Corp was later acquired by Allis-Chalmers. Where are you located? I might be able to look at it.

 

[smallercrawler]

Hi Cindy, sorry to hear of your situation.
Your crawler could be either a Clark Airborne or a U.S. Trac. The major differences were that the Clark (military, WWII) used a Hercules engine, the post war U.S. Trac (from surplus Clark parts)used a Continental F124 engine (both gas). Yours appears to have Clark blade cylinder risers and trunnion mount cylinders, and grill; but not the full length side tool boxes which made "walls" for the operator. The blade was used on both.
Clarks usually had a data tag (brass) on the right lower side of the radiator housing, U.S. Tracs should have a brass tag atop the transmission housing with a serial number.
Good looking machine, too many variables to fix price, look through for sale archives here to get in ballpark. Try this site for more pix:
Untitled URL Link

 

[noncompos]

questmasters.us has pix of an Airborne with a Wauk FC151D engine (the 151D is works code for installation/accessories etc).

 

[oldtanker]

Location? General area will be good enough.

Rick