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Name:
Trencher
Date:
1941
[is this right?]
Location:
Ottumwa, IA
Topic:
Object / Military Item
Description
While working for the Dain Manufacturing Company in Ottumwa, Iowa, during World War 2, Frank E. McClellan built a trencher plow for the US Army to their design.
According to Frank's son Wayne (as recorded on the back of the photo included below):
"About 1941 or 42 Dain Mfg Co had a chance for a good army contract to make trenching plows for the army infantry. The officers of D + Co. were about to decline when someone (probably Allen Kough, Gen Mgr) said 'let's talk to "Red" (McClellan, Frank E.)'
"Red was called from the Forge Shop (as foreman) and asked if we could make it (?). He looked at the drawings, the dimensions, then a photo, and said 'Hell Yes. Nothing to it.'
"'But Red we don't have a press or bulldozer (a bending machine to form red-hot iron bars or sheets) big enough to do the moldboard.'
"'The hell we don't, sign the damn contract and give me two weeks,' he said.
"Dad designed, and with a select crew, built the huge extension attached to a bulldozer and the floor. Other dies had to be made too, the way 'Red wants em.'
"The first hit, on a hot plate from an extended furnace -- was to print. Bulldozers were a long stroke, horizontal press, with huge gears -- no hydraulics. Dain was owned by John Deere since 1911."
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Photos
There are 3 photos with Army Trenching Plow Model 350R.
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