Failure on my part in the b indicates a sidehill machine and since the rack moves the wheel up and down would only show from one side.

On looking closer I believe the combine rack is part of heavier beam. Need to go look and see how stout it is.

On a latter JD combine the rack teeth are riveted to 2 3/4 x 3 inch I beam. So similar but not the same. The teeth are 1 1/2 inches tall and in 18 inches long section to make a total of 5 feet or so. But from what I see yours one long piece no backing.

Which leads me to ask is the rack real heavy duty enough that it would not break if used as is. So I guess leading me to be in Rube Goldberg camp of things some found and put together.

The rack seems strong enough. Not much on this grader looks to be under sized. The ring with teeth/notches that is u-bolted to the large adjustment wheels is used to stop the adjusting wheel at what ever place you want. The photo shows a rod coming up from a spring loaded plate that you step on to allow adjusting and let up to keep it as set. The release plate is just forward of the platform that you would ride on. Since there seem to be no part numbers, I am thinking that this may have been a prototype that never went into production. Just a guess on my part. I am all open for other opinions. Thanks. Grant.

I was driving today and saw an old grader behind a fence. Of course I stopped to look and what I saw was very similar to the one I bought. It looked older and had steel wheels, but had almost the same rack and pinion adjustment and same general shape of the frame. It had a front axle and wheels but the front of the frame looked the same as mine. I did not jump the fence and could not locate anyone, but I may go past again on a weekend and see if anyone is around. There was another grader that was clearly another brand, but it had a rack and pinion adjustment, so it appears that rack and pinion is not all that rare. Interesting ! Grant.

From various old references: When Cat called it a "grader" it had four wheels, two axles. When it had just two wheels such as this one appears to, it was called a "teracer". That's how it appeared to me, I can't swear that it was the definitive difference alone that determined what the machine was called. Not much help, I know, but it may help your success in tracking this beast down just a little bit.

Thank you Jack. After seeing the other similar grader a couple of days ago, I suspect that it originally had a front axle. Of course it is guesswork on my part. I am going to send photos to the University Of Calif Ag dept, since they seem to have a lot of information on antique farm equipment. If I learn more, I will post it. Grant.