City of Camrose . . . . . 12 and

CITY PAGE

Employment Opportunity

HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC

The City of Camrose is seeking a permanent, full-time Heavy Duty Mechanic for the Fleet section of the Public Works department. This is a unionized position under CUPE Local 1425 and is inclusive of a trial period as per the Article 12.05 of the Collective Agreement.

FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to):

• Inspect, repair and maintain all types of equipment within the Fleet. • Adjust or tear-down equipment to repair, replace or rebuild defective parts, components or systems, as required. • Maintain a safe and clean work area. • Estimate time and material costs on vehicle and equipment repairs. • Conduct safety inspections and quality checks on vehicles and equipment. • Complete administrative documentation and tasks associated with repairing vehicles, parts usage and orders, and accounting for repair times as related to the position and job duties. • Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Heavy Duty Mechanic Journeyman certificate required with the qualifications to perform the duties and meet the applicable requirements of a mechanic and as per the

Collective Agreement. • Commercial Vehicle Inspection License, or the ability to obtain, is required. • Experience with various aspects of equipment repair as it relates to municipal equipment inventory is considered an asset. • Small engine or automotive repair experience is considered an asset. • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with others and provide technical guidance in a professional manner. • Reliable with a strong work ethic, with the physical ability to perform duties of the job which include bending, reaching, kneeling and lifting. • Be committed to working as part of a team and working in a safe manner at all times. • Proficient with common office computer programs such as Microsoft Suite. • Valid Class 3 driver’s license with air endorsement is required. HOURS OF WORK: Hours of work are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Shift work, on-call and overtime will also be necessary to address operational requirements. HOURLY WAGE: $36.02 per hour in accordance with the CUPE 1425 Collective Agreement. APPLICATIONS: Individuals interested in this position are invited to submit a cover letter and resumé to the address below by July 30, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

CONTACT:

City of Camrose Attention: Marty MacGregor, Manager of Fleet and Shop Mailing Address: 5204-50 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4V 0S8

P: 780-672-5513 | E: hr@camrose.ca | W: www.camrose.ca

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP). The personal information recorded on the application form is being collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act. The information will be used for the purpose(s) of employee recruitment and administration and is protected by the privacy provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act. If you require additional information concerning the collection and use of this personal information, please contact the FOIP Offi cer at 780-672-4426.

Recycle with Centra Cam NEW HOURS

Facility is Open 24 Hours/Day

Closed:

• December 24, noon to December 27, 8:00 a.m. • December 31, noon to January 2, 8:00 a.m.

Staffed Hours:

• Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The automotive section of

Schmidt repairs early ag track tractors

By Murray Green

Gordon Schmidt of the Bawlf area owns one of the first agricultural caterpillar tractors.

“This is a Cletrac AG-6, which means agricultural gas. The reason I wanted one of these in my collection is that it has a unique steering system in it. They don’t use steering clutches in it, they use a braking system called differential steering,” explained Gordon, about his 1945 model. “It looks quite complicated when you look at the drawing or schematic of it, but it is really nice to drive by just using one level. With a different brand, you have to release the clutch, then apply the brake. For this model, all you have to do is apply the brake,” he continued.

“They steer really nice, if you are doing a hard turn you have to lean on it. But just to steer it in the field, it would be pretty nice to handle. It may wander to the side a little, but it is easy to steer back on track,” Gordon shared. “The other advantage is that you never lose power to one of your tracks. With a conventional Caterpillar, you release the clutch, apply the brake and then you have lost traction on that track until you make your turn. With Oliver, you have power on both tracks all the time. If you are working a tractor really hard, you have to release AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Gordon Schmidt of the Bawlf area enjoys repairing old agricultural track tractors that were used on farms across the prairies in the early history of the province.

one side and then you could start spinning, rather than turning.”

In 1944, Oliver acquired the Cleveland Tractor Company (Cletrac). They continued production of the existing Cletrac HG model until

FUN FACTS

Cletrac was a manufacturer of tractors for military and civilian use, and was organized by Rollin H. White as the Cleveland Motor Plow Company in 1916, with capital of $6 million. White, a founder of the White Motor Company, had formed this new firm 10 years earlier to produce the crawler-type tractor he had developed for general farm use. Renamed Cleveland Tractor Co. in 1917, the company sold 40,000 tractors in the U.S. and 70 foreign countries during its first decade.

In the early 1930s, the needs of the Civilian Conservation Corps and public works projects kept the plant open and by 1937, the firm, which employed 1,500 workers, enjoyed record tractor sales here and abroad. Two years later, the company introduced three new lower-priced tractors with four-cylinder engines for use by the small farmer. The military application of Cleveland Tractor’s products became dominant during the Second World War, when the firm manufactured a new high-speed tractor for hauling artillery.

Although the company received a steady flow of orders, the low profit in defence work and the research costs for new products convinced company president White to sell the company to the 96-year-old Oliver of Chicago in 1944. 1951. The agricultural Cletrac HG gradually evolved into the more industrial Oliver OC-3 which was produced from 1951 through 1957.

“Cletrac tractors were bought out by Oliver and they continued to make the crawlers. It led to the Oliver OC-9.”

The Oliver OC-9 was the first tractor crawler by Oliver Farm Equipment Company to employ the use of a torque converter.

“The cost of track tractors would have been more than a regular tractor. They were made back in 1919, but it wasn’t something that most farmers would have had. They were mostly used in the logging industry before agriculture,” said Gordon.

“This has a continental engine and they used a number of third party engines in the tractors. It could have come with a Chrysler engine as well.”

This tractor was used in Alberta. “I bought this tractor just south of Edmonton. When I first saw it for sale, I didn’t follow up on it. Then I decided the next time I see one, I’ll buy it. They are rare, certainly not as easy to find as Caterpillar. I saw it again, not realizing it was the same tractor. I made a deal with the guy and now I have it. I don’t paint the tractors because that is not my interest. I like the mechanical end of things, so I fix them into running condition. That is what I enjoy, getting them operational.”

Are you the owner of Collector Auto, Auto Memories or Auto Memorabilia?

If you have a vintage ride (rebuilt or original), if you’re in the midst of a restoration, or if you’re building a “rat” or a street rod, we’d like to hear from you. We may want to profile your project. Likewise, if you own vintage automotive tools, old diagnostic equipment or other tools or techniques of the trade, please contact us. We’re eager to write and report on these kinds of topics. And, our readers want to see what interests you! Contact Murray Green, News Reporter