Pierre Bos, Marseille, France, sent us an array
of vintage postcards he came across in Europe. American steam
traction engines were of great interest overseas, and the batch of
postcards Pierre discovered focus mostly on Best steam engines (and
one Holt) at work in the California fields.
Daniel Best’s Agricultural Works in San Leandro, Calif., started
manufacturing engines in 1889. Various sizes were offered, from a
30 HP up to an enormous 110 HP unit. A few of these large units
were equipped with 15-foot-wide wheels to keep the engines from
sinking into the soft California ground. Best steam engines were
used for plowing and pulling combines, and as road engines for
freighting, mining and logging. Although Best engines were exported
to various countries, the majority of engines remained in the
California area.
30 HP up to an enormous 110 HP unit. A few of these large units
were equipped with 15-foot-wide wheels to keep the engines from
sinking into the soft California ground. Best steam engines were
used for plowing and pulling combines, and as road engines for
freighting, mining and logging. Although Best engines were exported
to various countries, the majority of engines remained in the
California area.
In 1908, Daniel Best retired and sold Best Mfg. Co. to Ben Holt
of Holt Mfg. Co. Holt operated Best Mfg. as a separate company
until 1913. From 1908 to 1910, C.L. Best, Daniel’s son, operated
the Best Mfg. Co. for Holt, before forming the C.L. Best Gas
Traction Co. In 1925 Best and Holt merged, forming the current
Caterpillar Co.
