MTFCA Forum

This has probably been posted before.

I wonder what the function of the hubcaps on the front wheels was?

There are more photos if you scroll halfway down this thread:

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/341211-pe ... /page/518/

Looks like something that might be used in a mine. It’s chain drive and has some very sturdy reinforcement beams, perhaps the disc type hubcaps won’t gouge into the walls like traditional hubcaps might have done if a shaft became more narrow. Ca licence plates.

That, and a set of small diameter wheels and tires off a Shriner's Model T, would make a neat play toy.

Only in califunny would one need to liscence a car that drives UNDER the road…? Glad to know that the CA lunacy is not just a recent phenomenon…

JTT3 wrote: ↑

Sat May 20, 2023 9:45 pm

... perhaps the disc type hubcaps won’t gouge into the walls like traditional hubcaps might have done if a shaft became more narrow.

I think you are right about that.

Flivver wrote: ↑

Sun May 21, 2023 7:05 am

JTT3 wrote: ↑

Sat May 20, 2023 9:45 pm

... perhaps the disc type hubcaps won’t gouge into the walls like traditional hubcaps might have done if a shaft became more narrow.

I think you are right about that.
image.png.e9b634481e5e8f107445ec16d6be6efb.png

Or, perhaps for prevention of leg injury from protruding axle spindle. Very tight space between the mine shaft walls to walk to the front of the Mini T to hand crank it!
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The linked thread makes more sense, internal combustion in a tunnel yes, in a mine? Don't see it happening! Plus, I've never seen in a mine, at least coal mines, walls built along the sides, just roof supports.

So, was this a special factory production or strictly an after-market mod?

I'm pretty sure that is not a factory unit. It would be useful in some mining operations, tunneling, urban construction jobs, large factories, etc.

Even more convinced something to do with underground, Steven P added that 2nd picture & if you zoom in on the picture you’ll see the man has either bought or added knobs on the soles of his shoes. Might help on slippery terrain.
Ha I should have gone to the link provided by the OP, then there would be no guessing.

The vehicle was used in the construction of tunnels for the the Kern River Hydroelectric Plant.

In John's original post he has a link to where more photos of this truck can be viewed. On the photo it states that the narrow truck was used in the tunnels under the Kern River in California

You type faster than me John

The bear shaped tag in the upper left corner of the license plate indicates a 1916 registration. It was made of cast lead.