1918 GMC Samson Sieve-Grip In Action

Firing up and driving about a beautifully restored Samson Sieve Grip model 30X. Less than twenty of these unique machines remain in the world. Production of these odd looking tractors began at the Samson Iron Works of Stockton, California in 1914. General Motors Company acquired the recently re-named Samson Sieve-Grip Tractor Company in 1917 and continued producing the tractors out of the former companies iron works in Stockton, California. Now fitted with GMC's own 30hp four cylinder engine and still fitted with their revolutionary self-cleaning steel skeleton wheels, the Sieve-Grip continued to be produced by GMC in direct competition to Ford's Fordson Model F until 1923 when it was deemed no longer profitable and GMC closed the Samson division, thus ending the story of this unique line of tractors. One feature of note is the Delco fly-by-wire throttle that used a rheostat to control the engine speed via an electromagnetic flyball governor that acted on the carburetor's throttle linkage instead of a conventional lever throttle. This feature was not seen in normal usage again for three quarters of a century. Their performance on muddy terrain was unmatched in their day, only outdone by much more costly caterpillar tracked vehicles. Filmed at the Pioneer Acres Museum, Irricana, Alberta.