This photo from the mid-1940s shows an International TD-18 crawler tractor pulling over 20 sleighs of pulpwood for the Great Northern Pulp & Paper Company. Based in Millinocket, Maine, about an hour west of the New Brunswick border, the company had been in operation since the early 1900s.
At its peak, it was the largest paper mill in North America and had pioneered the construction of its own hydroelectric generation and power distribution system early in its history.
By the 1940s, Great Northern Pulp & Paper Company managed nearly 1 million hectares of timberlands, securing its position as a major player in the industry. During the Second World War, the mill even utilized labor from a nearby Prisoner of War camp.
Despite several ownership changes, including a stint under a Canadian company, the mill finally closed in 2013, a victim of the downturn in global paper production. Similar large-scale Canadian mills also shut down during this challenging period.
The International TD-18 crawler tractor pictured here was outfitted with a Bucyrus-style blade, driven by a front-mounted hydraulic pump. For harsh winters, it relied on ice grousers and a custom wooden cab. As winter logging tapered off, the TD-18 transitioned to road construction and maintenance for Great Northern’s logging network.
Produced from 1939 to 1949, the TD-18 featured a 6-cylinder I-H diesel engine delivering 70 kW (94 HP) and a six-speed transmission. Later versions, including the TD-18A and 182 Series, were built until 1958, incorporating advancements like steering-clutch hydraulic boosters for improved handling.
At HCEA Canada’s annual events, International Harvester crawlers remain crowd favorites. Models like the T20 gas-powered crawler of the 1930s and the TD-25 bulldozer of the 1970s are regularly showcased in working condition.
If restrictions ease, HCEA Canada’s 2021 events will offer a unique chance to see over 60 restored vintage machines in action. Key events include Wheels & Tracks in Motion in June and The Last Blast in October, both hosted at the Simcoe County Museum near Barrie, Ontario. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness history in motion!
