Wooden Tracked John Deere Crawler

Wooden Tracked John Deere Crawler A unique 1955 John Deere 40C crawler on display at a Virginia museum is equipped with wooden tracks. It’s just one of nearly 200 tractors and close to 140 trucks at the Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum. However, it stands out with its white oak tracks. “We acquired it from a local dairy farm where it had been used in wetland areas and around duck ponds along the river,” says Dylan Simmons, Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum. “The farmer installed the 2 by 4-in. wooden cleats for added traction and also to prevent damage to concrete pads at the dairy.” The blocks extend out over the tracks to spread the crawler’s weight over a greater surface area. Multiple track options were available from Deere at the time. They varied in size as well as materials. The museum completely restored the 40C. It’s displayed on a raised mount where it can be started, put in gear and braked. The stand sits on a trailer hooked to a 1963 Mack C607T. “People love to see the tracks move,” says Simmons. “We’ve taken the crawler, truck and trailer combination out to a local Christmas parade the past two years. It’s a big hit.” Keystone’s model 40C is featured in a June 2025 issue of Antique Power. The article describes the development of crawler tractors and, in particular, John Deere crawlers leading up to the introduction of the 40C. Extensive pictures in the article provide close-ups of key features, such as the wooden tracks. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum, 880 W. Roslyn Rd., Colonial Heights, Va. 23834 (ph 804-524-0020; www.keystonetractorworks.com).

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