Bull Moose Dozer: A Forgotten Canadian Workhorse

[MikePhua]

Origins and Design Philosophy
The Bull Moose Dozer was a compact crawler tractor built in Vancouver, British Columbia, during the mid-20th century. Though little documentation survives, it’s believed the company operated under the name Canadian Mobile or Bull Moose Equipment and produced a limited number of machines, including forklifts, yard cranes, and this rare dozer. These machines were often sold through Kenworth dealerships and used extensively in forestry yards, shipyards, and industrial docks across British Columbia.
Terminology Notes

• Crawler Tractor: A tracked vehicle designed for earthmoving, offering superior traction over wheeled machines.
  
• Three-Way Blade: A hydraulic blade capable of tilting, angling, and lifting, similar to a small bulldozer’s blade.
  
• Gearmatic Winch: A mechanical winch brand known for durability, often used in logging and recovery operations.
  
• Wisconsin Engine: A line of air-cooled, four-cylinder gasoline engines widely used in industrial and agricultural equipment.
  
• Truck Transmission: A repurposed gearbox from road vehicles, often adapted for use in off-road machinery.
  

Technical Overview

• Engine: Four-cylinder Wisconsin gasoline engine
  
• Transmission: Truck-style gearbox with four forward speeds and one reverse
  
• Blade: Hydraulic three-way dozer blade
  
• Winch: Rear-mounted Gearmatic winch
  
• Tracks: Double-sprocket system, possibly adapted from military surplus
  
• Build Era: Estimated late 1950s to early 1960s
  
• Speed: Anecdotal reports suggest early prototypes reached up to 35 mph
  

Field Use and Anecdotes

• A Bull Moose Dozer was reportedly used in Franklin River’s M&B shop for moving tires and heavy parts.
  
• One unit was shipped to Quesnel, BC, in the late 1940s as a prototype for road construction. Its high speed prompted a redesign.
  
• The dozer’s undercarriage was said to be fresh and complete, requiring only minor servicing to run again—testament to its robust build.
  
• A retired logger recalled Bull Moose forklifts and cranes being common on Vancouver docks, prized for their maneuverability and lifting power.
  

Maintenance and Restoration Notes

• Carburetor cleaning and fluid replacement are often sufficient to revive dormant units.
  
• Track systems may require custom fabrication due to their unique sprocket design.
  
• Electrical systems are minimal, reducing complexity but requiring careful inspection of aging wiring.
  
• Hydraulic components, especially blade linkages, benefit from regular greasing and seal replacement.
  

Historical Context and Legacy
The Bull Moose Dozer emerged during a time when Canadian manufacturers were experimenting with hybrid designs and repurposed components. The use of truck transmissions and military surplus parts reflected a post-war ethos of resourcefulness. These machines filled a niche between full-sized bulldozers and compact tractors, ideal for yard work, light grading, and industrial logistics.
By the 1980s, most Bull Moose equipment had been phased out or scrapped, replaced by imported machinery. However, their legacy lives on in the memories of operators and collectors who value their simplicity and rugged charm.
Related Machines and Cultural Footnotes

• Gibson tractors, another rare brand from the Pacific Northwest, shared a similar ethos of compact, durable design.
  
• In the 1980s, Bull Moose forklifts were used by Canadian Airlines at Vancouver International Airport to handle jet engines.
  
• At Burrard Yarrows shipyard in Esquimalt, Bull Moose machines were used for lifting and moving materials in dry dock operations.
  
• One operator recalled working with multiple Bull Moose units during a summer job, describing them as “handy machines with many uses.”
  

Conclusion: Preserving a Piece of Canadian Iron
The Bull Moose Dozer may not appear in glossy brochures or auction catalogs, but it represents a chapter of Canadian industrial ingenuity. With its blend of repurposed parts, practical design, and local craftsmanship, it stands as a symbol of a bygone era—one where machines were built to last, and every bolt told a story. Rescuing and restoring these machines isn’t just mechanical work—it’s historical preservation.