Caterpillar Fifteen

The Caterpillar Fifteen is a tractor produced by Caterpillar. It is equipped with a 143 ci 2.3 L engine. The rated power output is 20.39 hp 15.2 kW. Transmission: 3 forward and 1 reverse. Drive type: crawler. Operating weight: 5500 lbs (PV) 2494 kg.

Overview

	1929 - 1933 Agricultural Crawler tractor
1929 - 1933
Agricultural Crawler tractor

Production
Manufacturer	Caterpillar
Agricultural Crawler tractor
Original price was $1,100 in 1932

Caterpillar Fifteen Transmission
3-speed gear
Transmission details ...

Caterpillar Fifteen Power
Drawbar (claimed)	15 hp 11.2 kW
Belt (claimed)	20 hp 14.9 kW
Drawbar (tested)	21.79 hp 16.2 kW
Belt (tested)	24.77 hp 18.5 kW
Performance test details ...

Mechanical
Drive	crawler
Open operator station.

Dimensions & Tracks
Weight	4500 to 5500 pounds
10-inch tracks
Full dimensions and tracks ...

Belt Pulley
Diameter	10.5 inches 26 cm
Width	6.5 inches 16 cm
RPM	950
Speed	2600 ft/min 792.48 meters/min

References
Ten and Fifteen Tractors published in 1929, by Caterpillar

Engine

Engine options
Caterpillar 3.6L 4-cyl gasoline
Caterpillar 2.3L 4-cyl gasoline

Engine Detail — 220 ci / 3.6 L Gasoline

Manufacturer	Caterpillar
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Used on the PV series of the Fifteen built from 1929 through 1932.
Displacement	220 ci 3.6 L
Bore/Stroke	3.75x5.00 inches 95 x 127 mm
Rated RPM	1250

Engine Detail — 143 ci / 2.3 L Gasoline

Manufacturer	Caterpillar
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Used on the 7C version of the Fifteen, available in 1932.
Displacement	143 ci 2.3 L
Bore/Stroke	3.375x4.00 inches 86 x 102 mm
Rated RPM	1500

Transmission

Transmission — 3 forward and 1 reverse gear

Type	gear
Gears	3 forward and 1 reverse

Dimensions

Caterpillar Fifteen Tracks
Width	10 inches 25 cm

Dimensions
Length	104 inches 264 cm
Width	57.75 inches 146 cm
Height	58 inches 147 cm
Weight	5500 lbs (PV) 2494 kg
	4500 lbs (7C) 2041 kg
Gauge	40 inches 101 cm
Gauge	50 inches 127 cm

Tests

Tractor Tests
NTTL 159: 220 gasoline 3-speed crawler
NTTL 207: 143 gasoline 3-speed crawler

Nebraska Tractor Test 159
220 gasoline 3-speed crawler May 9 - 14, 1929 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 159 file
Belt power (max)	24.77 hp 18.5 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	3.0 gal/hour 11.4 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	21.79 hp 16.2 kW
Gear 2 used for power test.
Max pull	4166 lbs 1889 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 207
143 gasoline 3-speed crawler June 7 - 29, 1932 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 207 file
Belt power (max)	20.39 hp 15.2 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	2.2 gal/hour 8.3 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	16.99 hp 12.7 kW
Gear 2 used for power test.
Max pull	3105 lbs 1408 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Photos

Roy Johnson's C.C.C. Forest Service Road crew at Lookout Mountain, Washington in 1931. Photo is from the Roy T. Johnson Collection, museum catalog number 2020.33.8.