anyone know why such a T would be built?

[Luxford]

This photo shows up on numerous sites without any real discussion, if it has been discussed here I don't seem to see any reference to these tracked T's except the Chase variety.
Looking at the set up with the small rear geared axle it would be flat out doing more than crawling pace. A lot of work to build the underneath frame plus track and wheels for no great advantage. It can climb a wooden box OK it seems!!
Anyone have more insite as too what the history is.

[JTT3]

Looks neat but I don’t understand how it would be steered. May be he does.

[OilyBill]

Could this have been the first Ford experiment in building a tank in WWI? I understand they build a small one, using TWO Model T engines, one for each track, but it was not considered usable enough to go into production. Other early tanks apparently already had it beat on performance and reliability.
There were 15 pre-production units built, but an order for 15,000 more, was canceled at the armistice. The French liked the Renault FT-17, but they also wanted to order 1500 for use as artillery tractors, to tow French 75 mm guns, but that contract was also canceled.

[OilyBill]

Also, it appears to me that the driving differential, must have been mounted directly on the back end of the transmission, and the drive axles run straight out both sides to the center wheel, so there probably was no real driveshaft. It still has the rear pumpkin, but I don't know if THAT was the drive, or if it actually was run, as I surmise, off the very end of the transmission, in the center of the vehicle.
Has anyone seen one of these in real life?

[John E. Guitar]

I don't know why they were built but here are some photos from The Henry Ford:

https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... =gs-204632

https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... act/365108

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45508428

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45506351

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45508639

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45506355

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/45506353

[DanTreace]

The image shows a modified Ford Model T, specifically adapted as a snowmobile using tank-style tracks. It was designed to navigate through deep snow and climb steep hills. Image can be found on The Henry Ford.

According to internet source:

Virgil D. White, a Ford dealer, patented an attachment in 1917 to convert a Model T into a snowmobile.
The name "snowmobile" was coined and copyrighted by White.
The conversion kit was marketed starting in the winter of 1922, with around 12,000 kits produced for Ford cars.

[Luxford]

Might need the Snowmobile guys to jump in here,
From what I have read Virgil White's Snowmobile is not this design? It uses twin rear wheels and ski's on the front axle.
There are other makes also, none like this, most follow Virgils design.
The Henry Ford just says its adapted as a snowmobile to navigate through deep snow and climb steep slopes.
Having watched the Snow mobile guys annual meets their vehicles are slow and often its said hard pressed to get out of low gear ( with normal Ford wheels). This version would be super slow!! Looks like it;s good at climbing boxes though !!!
William, the rear axle on this Ford has a gear on the end to drive the track, the cemter whhel appears to only have a groove to guide the track.
John, Steering most likely uses separate brakes for each side tracks possibly at the large center wheel.
Andrew, thanks for th extra links. When will be back in Kiama? Bob would enjoy a visit ( he's not going too well)
I'm working on an article and just want to see if it's something to include in it.

[John E. Guitar]

Peter, is your article on just the first photo or tracked vehicles in general? Bombardier did some interesting stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=492574ZtmOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-uAIar-Tjs

Here are two of the Virgil White patents.

[JTT3]

Peter you may be right on the brakes, it’s a 1913 I believe based on the sharp cornered turtle deck & 12 rivet rear a housing & I also agree on the large wheel. It appears it’s just a track guide & idler wheel.
Ford developed the Fordson snow motor for your viewing entertainment.
https://youtu.be/aF_LytmTc4c?si=VC_PZg5Ue2-8UfVT

[Luxford]

Hi Andrew,
Not doing anything about snow track vehicles, just came across the photo and thought I would ask before I filed it under Snowmobiles/tracked vehicles.
Puzzling as to what the builder would be thinking on this.
Bombadier is interesting, bit late to the game, wonder if he knew anything about USA Snowmobiles as they go back as far as 1917.

[Kaiser]

Hard to tell from the photo but it seems it is a steel radiator surround so not earlier than 16. So that dates it mid WW1.
No idea what the reasoning was behind it, as the Chase track system and the Snowmobile were around at that time.
Here's a picture of the Chase shown to military.

[Luxford]

The Chase system is after the war , the Army test in the above photo was on Feb 2nd 1921. Chase started looking at it after 1917.
Chase's tracked T was one idea looked at for an all terrain vehicle.
I think the Henry Ford photo of the one in question is labeled correctly as 1922.
Obviously information is hiding out there ( if it exists) probably in a newspaper or magazine of the period. Hopefully someone will come across it in the future and will pass it onto us Model Ter's.

[Jim Eubanks]

John's pics appear to show Fordson parts for the rear end, at least housings and maybe a ring gear and pinion set up from a TT