MAY 2007 OLD TIME TRUCKS
THE LAST LINN HALF-TRACK
By Photographer & Old Truck Nut John Sponholtz

The Linn Manufacturing Company was started by H. H. Linn and was in business in Morris, New York from 1916 to 1950. The trucks were based on a half-track design. The tracks were mounted on the frame rails with outside extensions. The trucks were essentially conventional in design and had a 4-cylinder engine built by Continental. Later models used a 6-cylinder Waukesha, Cummins or Hercules engine. There was a military version of the 1933 model which was an 8-ton vehicle with an American-LaFrance V-12 engine that generated 246 horsepower. The early trucks had an open cab, but by the beginning of World War II, the trucks had an enclosed cab that was all steel. The trucks did not come with fenders but they could be ordered as optional equipment. In 1927, Mr. Linn left the company to form the Linn Trailer Corporation. In 1940 he built a 5-ton truck with front wheel drive and two wheels behind the tracks. The extra wheels could be lowered so that the truck could be driven on highways and raised for off-road use. Linn also made a more conventional truck with twin wheels in the front. Bill Rudicill of Petersburg, Kentucky, owns this fully restored Linn Model DD-15, built from surplus parts shortly before the company closed its doors. This truck, Serial #2922, is the last known truck produced by Linn. When Bill acquired the Linn it was in very rough shape so he gave it a complete restoration. Today, the truck has a carrying capacity of 15 tons and is powered by an army surplus H-Series 6-cylinder Cummins diesel engine. This old Linn has long since been retired, but it still enjoys being on display at truck shows.