Michigan was not the first manufacturer to offer a wheel type bulldozer. That honour belongs to R G LeTourneau who pretty much came up with the concept in the first place. Initially based on the chassis of one of Michigan’s existing line of wheel loaders the model 180 was nevertheless regarded as a success and development of other machines followed. It became apparent to Michigan, however, that some modifications were required to fully realise the potential of its wheel dozer, resulting in the development of a dedicated wheel dozer chassis, rather than adaptation of an existing loader chassis.
This was very much a step in the right direction, and the models 180-II, 280 and 380 wheel dozers were introduced the following year.
*This excerpt from Contractor Magazine December 2013.
