Sno-Cat as Freeway Art

[California]

I-80, 40 miles east of San Francisco.

This collection of old equipment appeared this summer. There's an early Ford on steel (spike wheels), a small crawler, horse buggies, and jackasses grazing.

I suspect this is the first phase of development and the tractors won't be there more than a year or so. It's prime freeway frontage, nearly the first open ground that you see driving east from SF.

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Hate to see it just sitting in the sun dying!

 

[California]

I stopped by again yesterday, this time on the south side of the freeway and several hundred yards closer.

It looks like the developers are already here - there are now roads graded all over the site and that's a complete set of roadbuilding equipment in the grove. I expect the trees will be gone soon.

Next spring I expect to see: "Shady Grove/Quail Meadows. 10,000 sq ft lots from only $129,000. All graded, streets and utilities complete." 40 minute commute into SF if you leave at 3am (or 2 hours after 7am.)

 

[ALLEN PARSONS]

That old tucker should not be in a dry old cow field, Someone has got to save it, Please put it back into the snow where it belongs, That poor thing.

 

[California]

I think its soul has already departed. The windshield is lying loose where the front seat should be, and there is a track only on the left front while the other three corners have the tin right on the ground. I think its too late.

I feel the same way about the grove in the background. I expect it will be replaced by a subdivision or car dealer very shortly. The name of the subdivision will be something like Pioneer Grove but there won't be a tree anywhere.

 

[California]

That old tucker should not be in a dry old cow field, Someone has got to save it, Please put it back into the snow where it belongs, That poor thing.

It gets worse! Now they planted a couple rows of palm trees to make it feel right at home. (Not!)

 

[dseymour]

Old tucker sno cats never die,they just rot away. I would like to have it in my garage and try to save the poor things life.I think my own life would be on the line when my wife went in the garage and saw it.

 

[Eric L]

That things been there for quite awhile...it was originally much farther from the hwy. I thought about trying to contact the owner (I have a lead # that I never called), but decided against it after I got a good look at it. It's really bad. Might be good for some parts. Looks like the guy is some kinda collector...he may want more than the parts are worth.

Eric

 

[Eric L]

I found what looks to be the auction that this unit came from...? http://www.ringo.com/explore/member/recent/photo.html?photoId=104775006

I have confirmed that its the same machine

 

[mlang2005]

I bet the guy might trade for some other intersting machine? anyone got somthing?

 

[California]

I found what looks to be the auction that this unit came from...

Bingo! 'Buckeye Ranch' appears on a crawler in the picture set you identified, and also on that haywagon by the lightpole in my second photo. It seems that most of the equipment alongside the Tucker came from that auction.

It looks like someone else is posting photos of the Tucker also:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2202463530077698672mWjFNI


We drove past there today in heavy traffic going westbound into a blinding sunset. I didn't think to look over there. After we passed, my wife said there is more equipment lined up at the site and the earthmoving is progressing. That row of equipment is sure to be the decor for some kind of development.

 

[911r]

Sno-Cat I80, now has a sign with phone number.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

Still looks better than 90% of the Krusti's still out there.