1938 Caterpillar 'Twenty Two' Half-Track Tractor

The Twenty-Two (normally spelled out in official marketing and service materials)

replaced the Twenty, which was introduced in 1927 as the newly-formed Caterpillar

company’s first ground-up, clean-sheet design. Some 18,000 Twentys would be made

prior to its replacement, and when all was told, 15,000+ Twenty-Twos had been

manufactured. Clearly, the tracked tractor concept had legs.

Believed to be an early production model from the model’s second year, this particular

Twenty-Two is a 40” gauge derivative. A wider 50” gauge model was offered as well,

and just $50 separated the two; MSRP for the narrower tractor was $1,450, and $1,500

for the wider.

As with nearly all Caterpillar equipment then and now, the Twenty-Two came in any

color you wanted, as long as it was yellow. Note the fantastic radiator shell script, blocky

model name plaques either side of the nose, and factory-style leather starting handle

retention strap.

Atop a surprisingly cushy and wide seat, the operator faces a control panel mounted to

the machine’s 22-gallon fuel tank, and straddles three levers; the outer two control

steering clutches, while corresponding pedals on either side control steering clutch

brakes which can be used to make tighter radius turns. The central lever selects one of

three forward gear ratios (or a single reverse), and gauges monitor oil pressure and

coolant temp. Full operating and maintenance instructions can be viewed here on

scanned period factory manual pages.

All Caterpillar Twenty-Twos were factory equipped with gasoline-fueled 251ci

four-cylinders, nominally rated for 22 hp but marketed as producing precisely 23.69 hp.

A PTO at the rear can be used to power any number of implements, both for

construction and farming purposes.

This vehicle is offered without known history.

Twenty-Two attrition rates seem to have been quite low, as a large number of these

iconic machines survive today, many of which still work to earn their keep, despite being

at least 83 years-old. These tractors are known to be extremely durable, easy to

maintain, and fun to operate and work on, even for those with moderate mechanical

aptitude and little to no experience operating tracked vehicles.