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Drott Manufacturing and the Birth of the Traxcavator
Drott Manufacturing Company, founded in the early 20th century in Wisconsin, became a pivotal name in the development of crawler loaders and hydraulic attachments. By the 1940s, Drott had revolutionized the market with its 4-in-1 bucket system, which allowed a single machine to perform dozing, clamshell loading, grading, and scraping. This innovation led to the term “Traxcavator,” a portmanteau of “track” and “excavator,” which became synonymous with tracked loaders across the industry.
Drott’s machines were often paired with International Harvester power units, creating robust and versatile loaders that dominated construction sites, quarries, and logging operations throughout the mid-20th century.
Design Features and Mechanical Architecture
Drott crawler loaders were built with:
Popular Models and Applications
Some of the most recognized Drott models included:
Transition and Decline
By the 1980s, the rise of hydraulic excavators and skid-steer loaders began to eclipse the crawler loader market. Drott was eventually absorbed into Case Corporation, and the Drott name faded from new equipment catalogs. However, many of their machines remain in service today, maintained by enthusiasts and small operators who value their simplicity and mechanical reliability.
In one notable case, a contractor in Pennsylvania restored a 1960s Drott 40 to full working condition using salvaged parts and custom-fabricated hydraulic lines. The machine was then used to clear a century-old barn, demonstrating the enduring utility of these vintage loaders.
Maintenance and Restoration Tips
For those maintaining or restoring Drott crawler loaders:
Conclusion
Drott crawler loaders and Traxcavators represent a golden era of American heavy equipment engineering. Their innovative design, especially the 4-in-1 bucket, set a standard for versatility that influenced generations of machinery. Though no longer in production, their legacy lives on in the machines still working today and in the stories of operators who relied on them to shape the land. For collectors and contractors alike, Drott remains a symbol of mechanical ingenuity and enduring strength.
Drott Manufacturing Company, founded in the early 20th century in Wisconsin, became a pivotal name in the development of crawler loaders and hydraulic attachments. By the 1940s, Drott had revolutionized the market with its 4-in-1 bucket system, which allowed a single machine to perform dozing, clamshell loading, grading, and scraping. This innovation led to the term “Traxcavator,” a portmanteau of “track” and “excavator,” which became synonymous with tracked loaders across the industry.
Drott’s machines were often paired with International Harvester power units, creating robust and versatile loaders that dominated construction sites, quarries, and logging operations throughout the mid-20th century.
Design Features and Mechanical Architecture
Drott crawler loaders were built with:
- Heavy-duty track frames and planetary final drives
- Torque converter transmissions or direct drive systems
- Hydraulic lift arms with multi-function buckets
- Operator stations with mechanical levers and analog gauges
Popular Models and Applications
Some of the most recognized Drott models included:
- Drott 40 and 50 Series: Mid-size loaders used in road building and utility trenching
- Drott 2500 and 2700: Larger units often seen in mining and aggregate yards
- Drott 85 and 100: Compact models favored by municipalities and small contractors
Transition and Decline
By the 1980s, the rise of hydraulic excavators and skid-steer loaders began to eclipse the crawler loader market. Drott was eventually absorbed into Case Corporation, and the Drott name faded from new equipment catalogs. However, many of their machines remain in service today, maintained by enthusiasts and small operators who value their simplicity and mechanical reliability.
In one notable case, a contractor in Pennsylvania restored a 1960s Drott 40 to full working condition using salvaged parts and custom-fabricated hydraulic lines. The machine was then used to clear a century-old barn, demonstrating the enduring utility of these vintage loaders.
Maintenance and Restoration Tips
For those maintaining or restoring Drott crawler loaders:
- Inspect track tension and roller wear regularly to prevent derailment
- Rebuild hydraulic cylinders with modern seals to improve performance
- Replace mechanical linkages with upgraded bushings to reduce play
- Use SAE 30 or 15W-40 oil depending on ambient temperature and engine type
- Source parts from vintage equipment yards or fabricate using original blueprints
Conclusion
Drott crawler loaders and Traxcavators represent a golden era of American heavy equipment engineering. Their innovative design, especially the 4-in-1 bucket, set a standard for versatility that influenced generations of machinery. Though no longer in production, their legacy lives on in the machines still working today and in the stories of operators who relied on them to shape the land. For collectors and contractors alike, Drott remains a symbol of mechanical ingenuity and enduring strength.
