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The model archive
Best
Explore 3 farm tractor models. Follow a model into its engine specifications, transmissions, dimensions, historical photographs, and available test records.
About Best
The Best name covers Daniel Best’s machinery business and the later C. L. Best crawler enterprise. The latter combined with Holt in 1925 to form Caterpillar.
- Beginning
- Daniel Best’s business in 1871; C. L. Best’s separate company in 1910
- Founder / origin
- Daniel Best, followed by his son C. L. Best’s independent venture
- Known for
- Harvesting machinery, steam equipment, and tracked tractors
- Sale / later history
- C. L. Best and Holt combined into Caterpillar in 1925
History and legacy
Daniel began with grain-cleaning equipment and expanded into harvesting and steam power. After the older business came under Holt, C. L. Best founded a separate gasoline-tractor company in 1910. Keeping the two enterprises distinct explains the different founding dates.
Sources & further reading
- TractorData — Best history and model archive (opens in a new tab)
- Caterpillar — the Holt and Best merger (opens in a new tab)
History reviewed 2026-10-20.
Showing 3 of 3 models
75
1913–1924
83 hp
Engine estimate from belt power
Tracks
Drive
Sixty
1919–1925
62 hp
Engine estimate from belt power
Tracks
Drive
Thirty
1921–1925
33 hp
Engine estimate from belt power
Tracks
Drive
Index power values can include estimates derived from belt or PTO power. They are identified on each model card and are not interchangeable with a measured engine rating. Model years and missing values follow the source index.