From The Archives: Assembly of the Bucyrus Erie Steam Shovel

My grandfather on my dad's side was a shovel operator. Since my dad was born in 1928, this would have been a current generation machine in grandpa's time. I am very glad to see such an old machine kept operational. Too much old stuff is either static display or left to rust. Many thanks for keeping my childhood memories alive. God bless you all.

This was a beautiful vidio of Restoring a steam shovel. I wish I could have been a part of this! Hat's off to all the men for bringing her back to full Restoration!

Hi guys I am COL Donnamarie Fuentes Dumont Lavallee and I am a retired army air corp special ops pilot and a blasting expert and very heavy equipment operator and lowbed transporter and I also owned some vintage machines a koring 304-1A a bucyrus erie 88B and a north Weston diesel electric shovel I so much 💕 love vintage machines and their is nothing anywhere else that has such outstanding and gorgeous history so sweet I would love to own a steam shovel as beautiful as yours I want to say thank you for all the hard work it took to make this outstanding video I hope you and your family are doing well and healthy and stay safe My ❤️ to all COL Donnamarie Fuentes Dumont Lavallee

Ive missed the show at Rollag maybe a total of 3-4 years since 1986. I have to say Ive enjoyed the Sandbox evolve over the years and it seems the Belleview crew has quite alot to do with it. As I have a job to do during the show I dont get to watch nearly as much as I want. Thanks for a great piece to see.

Interesting and informative on several accounts. We have to be grateful to Erie and Bucyrus for their machines, without which the Panama Canal would have been long delayed.

The old boys that designed and made machines like this were a special breed. Well done for restoring it in their memory. How many of todays machines made today will work in 100 years .

I worked for BUcyrus Erie for many years. It's not Bicyrus Erie. That is a swing gear on the truck frame between the tracks.

Great video, I'm a former crane operator and am amazed that you need to use a boom dolly for that 70 Ton Link-Belt crane in your state. I have driven a 130 Ton five axle Krupp all over southeastern Massachusetts with full time four axle steering. And 80 ton versions of the same make with optional rear steer capability. I am amazed that the 50-B had absolutely no steering at all. I would think that a fairly simple but expensive to build one of "lock- out" front hub system would do the trick. You have all the time in the world to plan the turn, just stop the machine and unlock the track you don't want drive ; and I would bet that thing could actually steer. Just my 2c.

Impressive piece of equipment and I admire the engineering that went into its design and manufacturing. Furthermore, i have nothing but respect for these peoples who preserve and protect this heritage. 2021/01/25. Ontario, Canada.

In the late 1950's I saw a Bucyrus Erie steam shovel digging the La Ballona Creek out before the Army Corps of Engineers cemented the whole thing in to prevent erosion. there was also a steam pile driver to drive pilings in for the 405 freeway bridge footing.

Good thing no old timers where kilt off in this assembly. Good job boys. Getting boom pins in is always tricky, but ya got her. One time a company I worked for bought two Northwest 80's with Murphy diesels. One set up for dragline the other was a shovel. One of the scariest moments of my life was driving that shovel onto the trailer. Another was tracking to dragline up a slight grade to the quarry where we where going to use it as drop cross. While tracking up up hill the drive dogged out and back a rolling I go, all I could think about is the power lines at the bottom of hill, jump or stay. Well I stayed and she finally just stopped rolling. After that we tied off to D9 for insurance. We finally junked them old girls, but I got the big ole Northwest sign off dragline and it graces the over the door to my shed to this day. Thanks for saving this old machinery for people to under stand history of dirt moving.

With the two cranes being used to unload & assemble these pieces, can you imagine the equipment used to do the assembly when these diggers were new..

There is a Clam shell bucket list a similar unit in Salt Lake City on Sawner road . It's being used for a ornament just north of California ave. Cool old stuff. I think it off a Dag line Dredge.

FANTASTIC video. I 💘LOVE🥰 watching historical films, documentarieses like this!

I'm a Big fan of steam. This is a fantastic vidio. Keep'em coming pls.Thank You!!!

Well done, fantastic to see it in running order.

Very nice I enjoyed watching thanks for sharing. Cheers from Jacksonville Florida

Thank you very much for the "tour" sir. A very beautiful machine indeed.

That's a wonderful looking machine, and a great video with sweet narration :) - it would have been best to do a full metallurgical inspection and assiciated repairs prior to assembly, as there's plenty of bodge welds next to critical components, but I appreciate the excitement and cost/labour involved. Keep safe and well, all the best from the Highlands of Scotland. :)

Thank you for saving this beautiful girl! Any chances of doing a video on the interior of the cab with it operating?