The first Bobcat?

Katanning some years ago, Bob Lukin's machine. GM 4-71, steering achieved by blade tilt in this situation.
David.

Possible early style of skid steer were 'skidders' in the timber industry.

Cobba I think the Skidder bit referred to the logs not the machine.

If you think about it you could not steer a skid type machine easily with a heavy load pulling from the back. Bit like trying to steer a boat with the tow point behind the rudder/outboard.

I found some photos of rare tracked log skidders and they seem to have the tow point well forward with more power and traction than rubber tyred machines of the period. Looking at videos of dozers skidding logs most tow a cradle but you see them serious pulling via cable and having to ease the tension for a sharp turn.

That Le Tourneau of Wouldyou looks like it might be short enough to turn without trying to swing its tail against the load too much.

There must be some loggers here with the definitive answer.

Lang

When those LW7s came through the army auctions,they got a lot of money for them ,even the ones in bits........i think Geoff Smith over behind stantons at Archrefield has a bigger one with a 6/71 in it ....LW14 ?maybe...........i doubt they be any use in timber with the short wheel base ,but I know the big ones were designed to pull wire controll scrapers.

FWIW
A dozer has a swinging drawbar for towing scraper cans etc
C@ had swinging drawbar
International TD24 Had a hi lo driving each track



cya