Editing Continuous track (section)

=== First commercial success (1901) ===
An effective continuous track was invented and implemented by [[Alvin Orlando Lombard]] for the [[Lombard Steam Log Hauler]].{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} He was granted a patent in 1901 and built the first steam-powered log hauler at the Waterville Iron Works in Waterville, Maine, the same year. In&nbsp;all, 83&nbsp;Lombard steam log haulers are known to have been built up to&nbsp;1917, when production switched entirely to internal combustion engine powered machines, ending with a Fairbanks diesel-powered unit in&nbsp;1934. Alvin Lombard may also have been the first commercial manufacturer of the tractor crawler.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

At least one of Lombard's steam-powered machines apparently remains in working order.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allroutes.to/modeltandlombard/ |title=Lombard Log Hauler and Model T Snowmobile Show Route 175 Thornton, NH |access-date=2011-08-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814215748/http://www.allroutes.to/modeltandlombard/ |archive-date=2011-08-14 }}</ref> A gasoline-powered Lombard hauler is on display at the Maine State Museum in Augusta. In addition, there may have been up to twice as many Phoenix Centipede versions of the steam log hauler built under license from Lombard, with vertical instead of horizontal cylinders. In 1903, the founder of Holt Manufacturing, [[Benjamin Holt]], paid Lombard $60,000 for the right to produce vehicles under his patent.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Richard|last=Backus|url=http://gasengine.farmcollector.com/Farm-Shows/100-Years-on-Track.aspx|title=''100 Years on Track'' 2004 Tulare Antique Farm Equipment Show|journal=Farm Collector|publisher=Gas Engine Magazine|date=August–September 2004|access-date=2010-02-04|archive-date=2009-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822181653/http://gasengine.farmcollector.com/Farm-Shows/100-Years-on-Track.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:Phoenix_Centipede_log_hauler.JPG|thumb|Phoenix Centipede log hauler]]