Caterpillar Collector Hit The Jackpot

2021 - Volume #45, Issue #4, Page #40

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With 125 pieces of vintage Caterpillar equipment in his collection, Matt Veerkamp struck gold. He was looking for a parts tractor when he found a Caterpillar 20 with a serial number that read EXP 0000-L.
    “When I got home with the tractor, I confirmed in the archives that it was what I thought it was,” says Veerkamp.
    What made this 4-cylinder, gas tractor special was that it was the first new tractor design from Caterpillar. In 1925 C.L. Best Gas Traction Company and Holt Manufacturing Company consolidated under the new Caterpillar name. The experimental 20 made its debut a year later at fairs, trade shows and other expositions.
    “Ag was the biggest market at the time,” says Veerkamp. “The 20 was designed for use in the groves and orchards to get into tighter areas. It was used for everything and had winches and pumps hung on it. It even had military applications.”
    Eventually the 20 ended up at a ranch owned by a descendent of C.L. Best. Along the way, the once white tractor was painted Caterpillar yellow, its history forgotten. It became simply one of the 8,568 Caterpillar 20s built in San Leandro, Calif. and Peoria, Ill. from 1927 to 1931.
    As Veerkamp and his father Doug began restoring the tractor, they faced several challenges. One was that as an experimental model, good specifications did not exist. Plus, although it looked like other Caterpillar 20s in the Veerkamp collection, there were differences.
     “A lot of internal parts in the experimental 20 were one-off prototypes,” says Veerkamp. “They were more primitive than what went into the production 20s.”
    It was during restoration that Veerkamp discovered the novel white color. Caterpillar colors originally were gray and red. Caterpillar yellow had not yet been adopted. They also found nickel and brass plating used to dress it up.
    Hard use over the decades since it was a showpiece had also taken its toll. “The axles, transmission and clutch were worn out and had to be fabricated,” says Veekamp. “Restoring the engine was fairly easy. We were testing it before we finished the rest of the tractor.”
    Restoration took 4 mos. The tractor was taken apart completely, down to every nut and bolt. The father and son team restored or rebuilt virtually every part. Today it runs like new.
    The Veerkamps have other experimental and unique tractors in their collection. These include the experimental prototype of the 1929 Caterpillar 15. Finding them is what VeerKamp refers to as the hunt. He has been hunting since he was 15, adding to the collection his father started a dozen years or so earlier.
    “You need to look for the slight variations,” says Veerkamp. “You also need to learn the story, where the tractor worked and who owned it. Finding the story adds value.”
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Matt Veerkamp, Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, 2585 Cold Springs Rd. Placerville Calif. 95667 (ph 530 676-0825; matt.veerkamp@dougveerkamp.com).

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Caterpillar Collector Hit The Jackpot TRACTORS Antiques With 125 pieces of vintage Caterpillar equipment in his collection Matt Veerkamp struck gold He was looking for a parts tractor when he found a Caterpillar 20 with a serial number that read EXP 0000-L “When I got home with the tractor I confirmed in the archives that it was what I thought it was ” says Veerkamp What made this 4-cylinder gas tractor special was that it was the first new tractor design from Caterpillar In 1925 C L Best Gas Traction Company and Holt Manufacturing Company consolidated under the new Caterpillar name The experimental 20 made its debut a year later at fairs trade shows and other expositions “Ag was the biggest market at the time ” says Veerkamp “The 20 was designed for use in the groves and orchards to get into tighter areas It was used for everything and had winches and pumps hung on it It even had military applications ” Eventually the 20 ended up at a ranch owned by a descendent of C L Best Along the way the once white tractor was painted Caterpillar yellow its history forgotten It became simply one of the 8 568 Caterpillar 20s built in San Leandro Calif and Peoria Ill from 1927 to 1931 As Veerkamp and his father Doug began restoring the tractor they faced several challenges One was that as an experimental model good specifications did not exist Plus although it looked like other Caterpillar 20s in the Veerkamp collection there were differences “A lot of internal parts in the experimental 20 were one-off prototypes ” says Veerkamp “They were more primitive than what went into the production 20s ” It was during restoration that Veerkamp discovered the novel white color Caterpillar colors originally were gray and red Caterpillar yellow had not yet been adopted They also found nickel and brass plating used to dress it up Hard use over the decades since it was a showpiece had also taken its toll “The axles transmission and clutch were worn out and had to be fabricated ” says Veekamp “Restoring the engine was fairly easy We were testing it before we finished the rest of the tractor ” Restoration took 4 mos The tractor was taken apart completely down to every nut and bolt The father and son team restored or rebuilt virtually every part Today it runs like new The Veerkamps have other experimental and unique tractors in their collection These include the experimental prototype of the 1929 Caterpillar 15 Finding them is what VeerKamp refers to as the hunt He has been hunting since he was 15 adding to the collection his father started a dozen years or so earlier “You need to look for the slight variations ” says Veerkamp “You also need to learn the story where the tractor worked and who owned it Finding the story adds value ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Matt Veerkamp Doug Veerkamp General Engineering 2585 Cold Springs Rd Placerville Calif 95667 ph 530 676-0825; matt veerkamp@dougveerkamp com