Great video.Have seen some of these up the lake in Conneaut.Wonder what its like outthere when its cold and snowy or when the fog rolls in off of Lake Erie
Awesome, and very well made. I once asked one of the operators "Did you ever..." he cut me off in a friendly way and said "anything you can imagine to do with this thing... We've done it"
I have seen one other video of these. A friend made one when he was taping them working. The operator stopped and asked him if he wanted to ride along with him. I guess the guys that ran these monster were real nice men. I am modeling one for my model railroad.
I wonder about the first men who ran these when they were new. It must have been a real kick to get to do it. I heard that they just became too expensive to fix them. Parts had to be made, etc..
Very fascinating stuff. I have only seen grabs hanging from wires. It must reduce the risk of stevedore damage when the operator is basically riding the grab.
Like something out of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" (marching hammers?) ...huge scale, hypnotic, amazing, scary, dark and so fascinating. Thanks for posting this video of our valuable lake shipping heritage. I could watch this all day long!
I love anything Mechanical and LARGE! So it was a big surprise to find this video. I have never seen anything like this. I assumed Ore was Vacuumed into rail and other road going trucks? Or is it that this is an old video and way of working?
@mrbluenun This is indeed the "old way" that was pretty much standard on the Great Lakes for handling iron ore from about 1900 until the 1980's, when self-unloading vessels using conveyor belt systems made the Hulett first obsolescent, then obsolete. I'm no expert, but a vacuum rig on the scale needed to move 30 to 60 thousand tons of ore would require huge amounts of energy and the wear and tear would be unbelievable. Go to boatnerd.com for photos of self-unloading vessels and how they work.
You have no idea how many memories this video has brought back to me! My dad worked on the boats the whole time I was growing up and we used to visit him every time the boat came in. He usually went to Huron, OH, but many times he went to Cleveland and Conneaut also. I was in my early teens and would usually hang out with whoever had ladder watch. I love watching the Huletts.....they had such a graceful dance and I never tired of it.
@WindowsBreakerG4 I believe the last two standing were the former Republic machines at South Chicago. They were pulled down a few months ago. (See freema22's comment 4 months ago, below.)
There's something majestic about these beasts. For the job the accomplish, they seem to move with grace and smoothness not often associated with large machines. I think that's really neat that the bucket operator is sat right on the boom. Makes sense to me, so he can see exactly where he's going to scoop from next. I'd love to know about these.
I just saw a photo of one of these loaders for the first time in “Live Steam” magazine and wanted to see one in action. Thank you for posting this video.
@goodbyelonglive44 If my memory serves me correctly, it took about 12 hours to unload a "standard" 730 foot vessel with Huletts. Current self-unloaders unload at about 5 to 6000 tons per hour, so a 730 foot vessel with 27000 tons of ore would unload in about 5 or 6 hours. The self unloading boats have a bit less capacity due to the amount of cargo space taken up by the hoppers and unloading equipment. This is more than offset by the quicker turnaround times enabling more trips per season.
@fmnut , Thanks for the info. I thought it would have been more(when you look at the size of the machines) but I guess 15-17 tons per scoop is not bad.
@Sjofugla What made these machines so revolutionary for their time was not an increase in tonnage per bucket handled, but the improved cycle time over their predecessors, they were somewhere between twice and three times as fast depending on the operator. This meant that vessel dwell time at the dock was cut in half or more. Also, the ability to "steer" the bucket made the cleanup process go much faster, also reducing unloading time and manual labor required.
Thank you fmnut! I imagine then that the hopper on the gantry frame had a operable door to hold the pellets until the "larry car" could come underneath and offload the product. I noticed that the shovel arms rotated as well - that must be a huge roller bearing at the top of that arm to accommodate those loads. Thanks again.
The tram under the main frame was called a "larry car" and was operated independently of the unloading boom by a separate operator. The larry car operator also weighed the amount of ore going into each rail car by means of a built-in scale. The small electric locos on the narrow gauge track were called "shunts".
this is fascinating to watch, but you know i noticed, for as large as this machine is, it doesnt seem like the bucket holds much of a load when its dumping into the ore cars??? maybe thats why there not around anymore?? just to slow
The bucket held around 16 tons of pellets. These machines were designed for "natural" ore, which was more like dirt or crushed stone. That's why the bucket is open in the back, so the ore couldn't stick in the corners. They were able to cycle quicker than the machines they replaced, so could handle much more material per hour than the older type machines, and could do a much better job of cleaning out the corners of the holds in the vessels.
What really caused the demise of the Hulett was the development of pelletized ore which could be handled by conveyor belt, and the development of self-unloading vessels that used conveyor systems that had higher flow rates. Also, vessels got bigger and the Hulett didn't have the reach capability to unload the widest ones. And, as they got older, they were much more expensive to operate and maintain.
Also, changes in global grain markets affected the Huletts, at least in Cleveland, because more Canadian grain was going to Pacific rim countries and traveled west, instead of going to eastern Canadian ports for export to Europe/Russia. This meant that the fleet of vessels that traditionally hauled ore from eastern Canada back to Cleveland lost a lot of their backhaul loads, thereby making it too expensive to continue operating in this trade.
wow, thats interesting!! thanks for all of the history!! i believe i heard at one time there were 2 of these machines still in operation at a chicago steel mill??? not sure though??? might have to go check it out
Terrific. I used to see these all along the lakes taking boat trips with my dad, who was a captain for US Steel, and in my home town of Conneaut Ohio where the first huletts were built. Got a ride in one in Gary Ind. when I was about 13. Really miss these machines.
Great video.I operated these giants back in the '70s at then Republic Steel,upper and lower docks.They had 5 total hullets.I also took part in scraping all 5 hullets in the '80s.Operating them was alot of fun,really enjoyed it.
Just for the record, there are two of these unloaders still intact and operatable in Chicago near the old Wisconsin Steel works near Ave O. We got permission to get some vidio and pictures of them. The owner did state to us that they still can operate, although they look kinda rusty.
The problem today would be that It has been nearly 20 years since the last one ran. Finding someone who has the training to run one might be difficult. The youngest operators then were in their 40's, which would put them in their 60's now. I am sure a skilled equipment operator could figure out the controls, but there are always little "tricks" and safety items to be learned on a machine like this that an untrained person wouldn't know.
@fmnut you just found an operater for the hullets.I operated 5 of them in the late 70s thru late 80s.for republic steel and aslo took them down for scrape i. really enjoyed operated them for allmost 20 yrs.Acouple of them should saved and erected to there orginal state and brought back to lifei am turning 70 in june but would lovem to run one
does a man need lot of physical energy to operate these machines? I like to work with them, and I think I am good at them, except for my physical energy,
There are two of these left in Chicago. They are still intact and operatable. Me and a buddie got some close up pictures of them. They are something to see.
Thanks for this man. My dad used to take me down to the docks to watch these things when I was just a kid. I was scared of them up close, but I was fascinated by them too. I miss those days when Cleveland had that industrial port strength.
I've read somewhere the one of this amazing machines was to be preserved. Was tehe presevation complete or this one of a kind machine was lost forever?
They saved two of the Cleveland machines which are still on site just outside the SW corner of the loop tracks at Whiskey Island. If you view the area on Google Earth you can get quite good detail on them. They are in pieces and various schemes have been proposed for preservation but nobody has come forth with a big enough check yet to foot the bill.
The footage is amazing, and I was assuming it was appropriated like so much stuff now a days. I am glad to hear it is posted by the videographer. Thank you for your reply.
Incredible. I was remembering the unloaders on the lake front and thought I'd see what was on the web. This is a real gem. Thank you so much for posting!!!
As a young historian interested in the steel industry, all I can say is that this footage is incredible. This is the closest I'll ever get to come to seeing these machines in action. While I knew how they operated, this answers many questions I've had about the details of Hulett operations.
And, I have to say it again: That cab location is ridiculous. Great operator view, but I know I'd get sick from all the motion.
Actually, you would be surprised at how smooth the action is. You feel much more motion in an elevator than you do in a Hulett. It's not the carmival ride it appears to be at all.
WOW!!!! I am awestruck. Such an incredible piece of machinery. Imagine how these designed and purpose built. I would have loved to shoot something like this....
Just seen that Walthers have recently released a very detailed model of these amazing machines in H0 (1:87) scale. Even at this scale the model is impressive
Now that Wendy Park is open on Whiskey Island, there should be a kiosk with this video playing. Wouldn't that be a good idea? ps - tx for the Google coordinates - bookmarked!
Two of the four that are pictured in this video lay disassembled on the port of cleveland dock on whiskey island. There was a group that was attempting to restore them but I believe funding has run out. They are just laying there to rust. They can be viewed from the near by road tho.
cut and paste this into google maps search box and you can view the areal of them in storage. 41.494381, -81.723592
That is the coolest video I have ever seen. Thank you very much for posting this, I had always wondered how one of these operated, also its very insightful on where the operator was. simply awsome!
Wow, amazing video. Its great seeing such great machines who show America's ingenuity and strength at a time when the US still made stuff... i really like how the operator's cabs are in the crane boom itself. Video was also superb quality, thanks!
Thanks for the video! It brings back memories of my childhood- my dad worked at the C&P Dock. He was a larry car op, but on numerous times we got to ride in the Huletts while they were unloading. It really was amazing to be that far into a boat!
First off, thanks for posting this video. Whenever I get the chance, I watch(and video)the lakers sailing around Port Huron/Sarnia(check my Youtube page) and found this video fascinating.
One question: If Hulet unloaders are not being used, how will boats like the Edward Ryerson be unloaded?
First, there are not too many boats in the ore trade that don't have self unloading gear any more. That said, the Ryerson and the few Canadian straight deckers that still handle ore are restricted to a few docks that have clamshell unloaders similar to the old Brownhoist equipment. They still put the loaders in the hold for cleanup, but it takes longer than the Huletts did. the clamshells aren't as controllable as the Hulett. At Lorain they unloaded the Ryerson with long boom crawler cranes.
WOW!! Thanks so much for sharing this! Would have never known how they worked. Had NO idea that someone worked INSIDE the giant, moving leg.. Kinda reminds me of an AT-AT walker..
I don't believe there are any left in operation anywhere. There are two left in Cleveland, on Whiskey island, but they are dismantled just lying there. You can't get close to them, but they can be seen from the road that takes you to Wendy Park.
heh. That was my son's logon. Yep, watched them from the 24th floor of the Fed Bldg. Did not realize how truly huge they are/were for having all those moving parts, or that there was an operator at the loading end going into the freighter! Wow. what magnificent machines. A great video.
ps - thanks for no dippy background music. The sound of the work was music enough.
The owner of the dock and the machines, Conrail. In their defense, there was no safe way to preserve them at the site, as the location did not lend itself to public visitation. They were offered long before the end of use to whatever group would fork over the money to move them and re-assemble them somewhere else, but there were no takers account the huge expense. It is to their credit that they took the expense to save enough pieces so at least one can be reassembled at a future date.
I'd heard about the Cleveland Huletts but never seen them in action. Thanks for posting this - Fascinating! Sad to hear that they are no more - and I understood they were listed as historical monuments too - listing isn't a guarantee of preservation it seems. Cut up you say? Who was responsible for this wanton vandalism? :-(
@ajb07 Couldn't agree more. Technology be damned. This was a time when real men drove real machines with big levers and dirty hands not plastic buttons and palmolive softwash. Unreal that a country was built on machines like this and they just get pulled down and scrapped like yesterdays newspaper. Very sad indeed.
nah...not 3rd world but worst...as the racists roam and perverts snatching victims...but above all...the corporations stomping on the masses...that will be a messy world if it happens...
I think there were about 30 people employed at the C&P Docks at the end. There were 4 people per machine per shift (hulett op, larry car op, loader op, and mechanic) plus 4 shunt operators. At the end they only ran 3 machines at a time and kept the 4th in reserve in case of breakdown. So that makes 12 people per shift, not counting the shops and the managment people. But employment numbers were much higher in the old days when they ran round the clock and had laborers to clean out the holds.
and that's the way of life in the US...automation and China sucking up the jobs...we are becoming a nation of service jobs, day-labor, and scrapers...
Nope, not operating anymore. These views are history, the Cleveland Huletts were removed from the dock, 2 of them were disassembled for preservation and the other 2 cut up. The pieces still exist somewhere, but don't expect to see them reassembled any time soon. Better times they were, but we'll probably never see times that good again.
What a great video, I work on a self unloader so I havn't seen the "strait decker" unloading operations before in person... Only read about this in books! Fantastic video!
Wow! I work for the Norfolk Southern RR, current operator of the Whiskey Island yard. I see the remains of the 2 Huletts sitting down there and I've heard the stories of the glory days of them in operation... I love this video... You can hear all the stories in the world from soon to retire old railroaders...and even former Hulett operators there.... but this brings history alive in amazing ways.... Thanks again!
This is a truly awesome film!! I always wondered what it would be like to ride in the operators cab of a Hulett. Great film, hopefully we can perserve at least one of the Whiskey Island Huletts. The part where they drop in the front end loader is great. Thats another operation I always wanted to see. Great Job!!!!
This IS interesting video. It's interesting to me because it is the kind of thing that I never have access to and wonder exactly how these things are done. Pretty neat.
Great video! I've been in Duluth and Two Harbors often enough to see the boats being loaded but I've often wondered how the straight-deckers were unloaded by the Huletts. Big thanks for posting this.
wow
2mirman 3 months ago
my father in law worked here for years hewlit no. 2 richard henderson
reywilliamr 3 months ago
Great video.Have seen some of these up the lake in Conneaut.Wonder what its like outthere when its cold and snowy or when the fog rolls in off of Lake Erie
generationll 5 months ago
Awesome, and very well made. I once asked one of the operators "Did you ever..." he cut me off in a friendly way and said "anything you can imagine to do with this thing... We've done it"
pete1729 6 months ago
awesome
irishmanO1 7 months ago
these things are pretty impressive!
Smhendo152 9 months ago
Wow, Fantastic Video, its history! The night shots & cab ride were great, thanks for posting this!
48alfaone 1 year ago
I have seen one other video of these. A friend made one when he was taping them working. The operator stopped and asked him if he wanted to ride along with him. I guess the guys that ran these monster were real nice men. I am modeling one for my model railroad.
I wonder about the first men who ran these when they were new. It must have been a real kick to get to do it. I heard that they just became too expensive to fix them. Parts had to be made, etc..
Thanks for posting!
kutzbill 1 year ago
Very fascinating stuff. I have only seen grabs hanging from wires. It must reduce the risk of stevedore damage when the operator is basically riding the grab.
gschjetne 1 year ago
As far as i could see, none of those guys was wearing a hard hat! Amazing...
sleddawg 1 year ago
Like something out of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" (marching hammers?) ...huge scale, hypnotic, amazing, scary, dark and so fascinating. Thanks for posting this video of our valuable lake shipping heritage. I could watch this all day long!
merhbass 1 year ago
I'll say one thing. The operator always had an up and down day ;)
MrMKH2010 1 year ago
I love anything Mechanical and LARGE! So it was a big surprise to find this video. I have never seen anything like this. I assumed Ore was Vacuumed into rail and other road going trucks? Or is it that this is an old video and way of working?
mrbluenun
mrbluenun 1 year ago
@mrbluenun This is indeed the "old way" that was pretty much standard on the Great Lakes for handling iron ore from about 1900 until the 1980's, when self-unloading vessels using conveyor belt systems made the Hulett first obsolescent, then obsolete. I'm no expert, but a vacuum rig on the scale needed to move 30 to 60 thousand tons of ore would require huge amounts of energy and the wear and tear would be unbelievable. Go to boatnerd.com for photos of self-unloading vessels and how they work.
fmnut 1 year ago
fmnut,
You have no idea how many memories this video has brought back to me! My dad worked on the boats the whole time I was growing up and we used to visit him every time the boat came in. He usually went to Huron, OH, but many times he went to Cleveland and Conneaut also. I was in my early teens and would usually hang out with whoever had ladder watch. I love watching the Huletts.....they had such a graceful dance and I never tired of it.
Thanks so much for the great video!!!!
KnittingFits 1 year ago
Are there any Hulett's still standing at all now?
WindowsBreakerG4 1 year ago
@WindowsBreakerG4 I believe the last two standing were the former Republic machines at South Chicago. They were pulled down a few months ago. (See freema22's comment 4 months ago, below.)
fmnut 1 year ago
Fascinating system !
dashloc 1 year ago
There's something majestic about these beasts. For the job the accomplish, they seem to move with grace and smoothness not often associated with large machines. I think that's really neat that the bucket operator is sat right on the boom. Makes sense to me, so he can see exactly where he's going to scoop from next. I'd love to know about these.
CRQ5508 1 year ago
i bet must of the guys that worked there are dead from the dust wow
sertox12345 1 year ago
@sertox12345 Actually, it wasn't too dusty, other than working on the cleanup in the hold of the ship, and those guys wore respirators.
fmnut 1 year ago
I just saw a photo of one of these loaders for the first time in “Live Steam” magazine and wanted to see one in action. Thank you for posting this video.
rangerjoel 1 year ago
how long did it take those days, and how long does it take now to unload these ores?
goodbyelonglive44 1 year ago
@goodbyelonglive44 If my memory serves me correctly, it took about 12 hours to unload a "standard" 730 foot vessel with Huletts. Current self-unloaders unload at about 5 to 6000 tons per hour, so a 730 foot vessel with 27000 tons of ore would unload in about 5 or 6 hours. The self unloading boats have a bit less capacity due to the amount of cargo space taken up by the hoppers and unloading equipment. This is more than offset by the quicker turnaround times enabling more trips per season.
fmnut 1 year ago
@fmnut Hi, sorry if you've mentioned this already but can you tell me how many tons/tonnes each scoop held?.
They look like graceful old dinosaurs!.
PPS, DHS Models(in America) is advertising a 1/48 scale model of them just now. The price is $5400......
Sjofugla 1 year ago
@Sjofugla I believe it was 15 to 17 tons of pellets per scoop.
fmnut 1 year ago
@fmnut , Thanks for the info. I thought it would have been more(when you look at the size of the machines) but I guess 15-17 tons per scoop is not bad.
Thanks again:)
Sjofugla 1 year ago
@Sjofugla What made these machines so revolutionary for their time was not an increase in tonnage per bucket handled, but the improved cycle time over their predecessors, they were somewhere between twice and three times as fast depending on the operator. This meant that vessel dwell time at the dock was cut in half or more. Also, the ability to "steer" the bucket made the cleanup process go much faster, also reducing unloading time and manual labor required.
fmnut 1 year ago
Thank you fmnut! I imagine then that the hopper on the gantry frame had a operable door to hold the pellets until the "larry car" could come underneath and offload the product. I noticed that the shovel arms rotated as well - that must be a huge roller bearing at the top of that arm to accommodate those loads. Thanks again.
divisioneight 2 years ago
@divisioneight It was a large brass ring that was greased often.
RJY2X 2 years ago
Fascinating!!!
Were the ore cars slug under the main carriage of the lifts independently operated, or connected to the main lift control?
Smooth, beautiful machines. Too bad they're gone. They should have saved them for an amusement park ride or museum.
divisioneight 2 years ago
The tram under the main frame was called a "larry car" and was operated independently of the unloading boom by a separate operator. The larry car operator also weighed the amount of ore going into each rail car by means of a built-in scale. The small electric locos on the narrow gauge track were called "shunts".
fmnut 2 years ago
this is fascinating to watch, but you know i noticed, for as large as this machine is, it doesnt seem like the bucket holds much of a load when its dumping into the ore cars??? maybe thats why there not around anymore?? just to slow
hoppercar 2 years ago
The bucket held around 16 tons of pellets. These machines were designed for "natural" ore, which was more like dirt or crushed stone. That's why the bucket is open in the back, so the ore couldn't stick in the corners. They were able to cycle quicker than the machines they replaced, so could handle much more material per hour than the older type machines, and could do a much better job of cleaning out the corners of the holds in the vessels.
fmnut 2 years ago
What really caused the demise of the Hulett was the development of pelletized ore which could be handled by conveyor belt, and the development of self-unloading vessels that used conveyor systems that had higher flow rates. Also, vessels got bigger and the Hulett didn't have the reach capability to unload the widest ones. And, as they got older, they were much more expensive to operate and maintain.
fmnut 2 years ago
Also, changes in global grain markets affected the Huletts, at least in Cleveland, because more Canadian grain was going to Pacific rim countries and traveled west, instead of going to eastern Canadian ports for export to Europe/Russia. This meant that the fleet of vessels that traditionally hauled ore from eastern Canada back to Cleveland lost a lot of their backhaul loads, thereby making it too expensive to continue operating in this trade.
fmnut 2 years ago
wow, thats interesting!! thanks for all of the history!! i believe i heard at one time there were 2 of these machines still in operation at a chicago steel mill??? not sure though??? might have to go check it out
hoppercar 2 years ago
Yes, there are 2 machines still in existence at South Chicago, but they have not operated for many years.
fmnut 2 years ago
@fmnut Actually, the 2 that were in South Chicago were scrapped a couple of months ago. Truly a sad site and loss of American history.
freema22 1 year ago
This is an AWESOME video, Walthers should link the add for there model of these things to this video. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Shedface1 2 years ago
Terrific. I used to see these all along the lakes taking boat trips with my dad, who was a captain for US Steel, and in my home town of Conneaut Ohio where the first huletts were built. Got a ride in one in Gary Ind. when I was about 13. Really miss these machines.
melanieshub 2 years ago
Great video.I operated these giants back in the '70s at then Republic Steel,upper and lower docks.They had 5 total hullets.I also took part in scraping all 5 hullets in the '80s.Operating them was alot of fun,really enjoyed it.
RJY2X 2 years ago
Thank you from uk. Really amazing to see what machinery we need to live as we do with all mod cons etc. Best wishes
portobellotent 2 years ago
Just for the record, there are two of these unloaders still intact and operatable in Chicago near the old Wisconsin Steel works near Ave O. We got permission to get some vidio and pictures of them. The owner did state to us that they still can operate, although they look kinda rusty.
Pillowbiter84 2 years ago
The problem today would be that It has been nearly 20 years since the last one ran. Finding someone who has the training to run one might be difficult. The youngest operators then were in their 40's, which would put them in their 60's now. I am sure a skilled equipment operator could figure out the controls, but there are always little "tricks" and safety items to be learned on a machine like this that an untrained person wouldn't know.
fmnut 2 years ago
@fmnut I will turn 70 soon ,operated 5 of them for Republic Steel in the 70's.I would love to give it a try again.
RJY2X 2 years ago
@fmnut you just found an operater for the hullets.I operated 5 of them in the late 70s thru late 80s.for republic steel and aslo took them down for scrape i. really enjoyed operated them for allmost 20 yrs.Acouple of them should saved and erected to there orginal state and brought back to lifei am turning 70 in june but would lovem to run one
RJY2X 1 year ago
@fmnut I also did all the maintence on those rigs so I know them pretty well
RJY2X 1 year ago
@fmnut hello sir!
does a man need lot of physical energy to operate these machines? I like to work with them, and I think I am good at them, except for my physical energy,
goodbyelonglive44 1 year ago
There are two of these left in Chicago. They are still intact and operatable. Me and a buddie got some close up pictures of them. They are something to see.
Pillowbiter84 2 years ago
Very cool , thanks for posting this. I had know idea these things were in still in operation in 1992.
pumkinvine 2 years ago
Thanks for this man. My dad used to take me down to the docks to watch these things when I was just a kid. I was scared of them up close, but I was fascinated by them too. I miss those days when Cleveland had that industrial port strength.
LiquidTokyo 2 years ago
DAMN, that looks cool to operate. The unloader cab actually goes into the ship. Awesome.
bnsfMAN93 2 years ago
At that time thouse Unloaders were more than 100 years old and in, as i can see, in perfect condition.
tigrius 2 years ago
I've read somewhere the one of this amazing machines was to be preserved. Was tehe presevation complete or this one of a kind machine was lost forever?
tigrius 2 years ago
They saved two of the Cleveland machines which are still on site just outside the SW corner of the loop tracks at Whiskey Island. If you view the area on Google Earth you can get quite good detail on them. They are in pieces and various schemes have been proposed for preservation but nobody has come forth with a big enough check yet to foot the bill.
fmnut 2 years ago
Sorry, I should have written INSIDE the loop track.
fmnut 2 years ago
The footage is amazing, and I was assuming it was appropriated like so much stuff now a days. I am glad to hear it is posted by the videographer. Thank you for your reply.
JerMannski 2 years ago
I believe credit should be given to the videographer.
JerMannski 2 years ago
Well, that's me. I shot all of this footage myself. And I prefer not to broadcast my identity on the web.
fmnut 2 years ago
U... F... B... !!!!!!
WMGPresents 2 years ago
Incredible. I was remembering the unloaders on the lake front and thought I'd see what was on the web. This is a real gem. Thank you so much for posting!!!
Jalans2 2 years ago
WOW these are actually kinda scary looking... there fucking metal monsters!
usuck329 2 years ago
Yeah, they are. But they're AWESOME!!!
bnsfMAN93 2 years ago
mechanical monstrousites
maplemanz 2 years ago
As a young historian interested in the steel industry, all I can say is that this footage is incredible. This is the closest I'll ever get to come to seeing these machines in action. While I knew how they operated, this answers many questions I've had about the details of Hulett operations.
And, I have to say it again: That cab location is ridiculous. Great operator view, but I know I'd get sick from all the motion.
Bmf10382 2 years ago
Actually, you would be surprised at how smooth the action is. You feel much more motion in an elevator than you do in a Hulett. It's not the carmival ride it appears to be at all.
fmnut 2 years ago
This is simply amazing. This footage should be made into a cd and sold as it's an amazing insight into a lost era.
Thank you for posting this gem.
Sjofugla 2 years ago
WOW!!!! I am awestruck. Such an incredible piece of machinery. Imagine how these designed and purpose built. I would have loved to shoot something like this....
ssdphoto 2 years ago
Amazing video, a real gem. I can't believe where the cab is.
MYRDDINAPGERAINT 2 years ago
fantastic coverage 5 stars
allistairc123 2 years ago
wow - amazing footage! Bravo for archiving this!
LincTexPilot 2 years ago
Just seen that Walthers have recently released a very detailed model of these amazing machines in H0 (1:87) scale. Even at this scale the model is impressive
ajb07 2 years ago
Now that Wendy Park is open on Whiskey Island, there should be a kiosk with this video playing. Wouldn't that be a good idea? ps - tx for the Google coordinates - bookmarked!
queenoftheuniverse 2 years ago
This was great footage....very very valuable video
Blackmilitant421 2 years ago
This was an excellent video, well worth watching.
is1943 2 years ago
Two of the four that are pictured in this video lay disassembled on the port of cleveland dock on whiskey island. There was a group that was attempting to restore them but I believe funding has run out. They are just laying there to rust. They can be viewed from the near by road tho.
cut and paste this into google maps search box and you can view the areal of them in storage. 41.494381, -81.723592
CCWSig 2 years ago 2
Are there any preserved or in musuems?
AmtrakSilverStar 2 years ago
This is amazing. We certainly owe a lot to the people that work big machines.
I think Dirty Jobs needs to visit Cleveland! :D
arrowguy173 2 years ago
That is the coolest video I have ever seen. Thank you very much for posting this, I had always wondered how one of these operated, also its very insightful on where the operator was. simply awsome!
jschmid 2 years ago
f**kin' sweet!!!
I can't wait til the Walthers HO model of these comes out.
lennyos 2 years ago
Wow, amazing video. Its great seeing such great machines who show America's ingenuity and strength at a time when the US still made stuff... i really like how the operator's cabs are in the crane boom itself. Video was also superb quality, thanks!
DirtballGearhead 3 years ago 6
Thanks for the video! It brings back memories of my childhood- my dad worked at the C&P Dock. He was a larry car op, but on numerous times we got to ride in the Huletts while they were unloading. It really was amazing to be that far into a boat!
kwebster6102 3 years ago 3
A lost piece of culture and history - at least preserved in this outstanding video. Thanks for sharing!
Harald
HaraldFinster 3 years ago
First off, thanks for posting this video. Whenever I get the chance, I watch(and video)the lakers sailing around Port Huron/Sarnia(check my Youtube page) and found this video fascinating.
One question: If Hulet unloaders are not being used, how will boats like the Edward Ryerson be unloaded?
airdriver 3 years ago
First, there are not too many boats in the ore trade that don't have self unloading gear any more. That said, the Ryerson and the few Canadian straight deckers that still handle ore are restricted to a few docks that have clamshell unloaders similar to the old Brownhoist equipment. They still put the loaders in the hold for cleanup, but it takes longer than the Huletts did. the clamshells aren't as controllable as the Hulett. At Lorain they unloaded the Ryerson with long boom crawler cranes.
fmnut 3 years ago
Do they still use the pusher cars with the clamshell unloaders or not?
darkyoda 3 years ago
No, they are gone.
fmnut 3 years ago
WOW!! Thanks so much for sharing this! Would have never known how they worked. Had NO idea that someone worked INSIDE the giant, moving leg.. Kinda reminds me of an AT-AT walker..
saschuma 3 years ago
isn't their two huletts at the Ltv steel coke plant in chicago
bc14canada 3 years ago
I don't believe there are any left in operation anywhere. There are two left in Cleveland, on Whiskey island, but they are dismantled just lying there. You can't get close to them, but they can be seen from the road that takes you to Wendy Park.
CCWSig 3 years ago
Yes, there are 2 at the Riverdale plant. Neither are used, but they are still standing. Fate unknown.
mac4554 3 years ago
heh. That was my son's logon. Yep, watched them from the 24th floor of the Fed Bldg. Did not realize how truly huge they are/were for having all those moving parts, or that there was an operator at the loading end going into the freighter! Wow. what magnificent machines. A great video.
ps - thanks for no dippy background music. The sound of the work was music enough.
queenoftheuniverse 3 years ago 2
I used to watch them from my 24th floor office. Never saw the up close view, tho. This is valuable footage.. Thank you.
LONGLIVELAYNESTALEY 3 years ago 2
The owner of the dock and the machines, Conrail. In their defense, there was no safe way to preserve them at the site, as the location did not lend itself to public visitation. They were offered long before the end of use to whatever group would fork over the money to move them and re-assemble them somewhere else, but there were no takers account the huge expense. It is to their credit that they took the expense to save enough pieces so at least one can be reassembled at a future date.
fmnut 3 years ago
I'd heard about the Cleveland Huletts but never seen them in action. Thanks for posting this - Fascinating! Sad to hear that they are no more - and I understood they were listed as historical monuments too - listing isn't a guarantee of preservation it seems. Cut up you say? Who was responsible for this wanton vandalism? :-(
ajb07 3 years ago 5
@ajb07 Couldn't agree more. Technology be damned. This was a time when real men drove real machines with big levers and dirty hands not plastic buttons and palmolive softwash. Unreal that a country was built on machines like this and they just get pulled down and scrapped like yesterdays newspaper. Very sad indeed.
KillerBeeGuts 1 year ago
nah...not 3rd world but worst...as the racists roam and perverts snatching victims...but above all...the corporations stomping on the masses...that will be a messy world if it happens...
jdawgsworld 3 years ago
great video...so...did you count how many jobs were lost to automation...
jdawgsworld 3 years ago
I think there were about 30 people employed at the C&P Docks at the end. There were 4 people per machine per shift (hulett op, larry car op, loader op, and mechanic) plus 4 shunt operators. At the end they only ran 3 machines at a time and kept the 4th in reserve in case of breakdown. So that makes 12 people per shift, not counting the shops and the managment people. But employment numbers were much higher in the old days when they ran round the clock and had laborers to clean out the holds.
fmnut 3 years ago
and that's the way of life in the US...automation and China sucking up the jobs...we are becoming a nation of service jobs, day-labor, and scrapers...
jdawgsworld 3 years ago
They are like a huge dinosaur! Neat video.
3rdAssistantEngineer 3 years ago
Nope, not operating anymore. These views are history, the Cleveland Huletts were removed from the dock, 2 of them were disassembled for preservation and the other 2 cut up. The pieces still exist somewhere, but don't expect to see them reassembled any time soon. Better times they were, but we'll probably never see times that good again.
fmnut 3 years ago
Definitely a great video.
cobragt23 3 years ago
masssive. US industry at it's finest.
ERIELACKU34CH 3 years ago 2
What a great video, I work on a self unloader so I havn't seen the "strait decker" unloading operations before in person... Only read about this in books! Fantastic video!
3mate1 3 years ago
industrial history at its best !!!!!!!
23650283 3 years ago
That was the most amazing thing that I have ever seen. Especially watching the operator riding the scoop.
Robkat3751 3 years ago 2
Excellent. Very well done, compelling.
beautydogg 3 years ago
Wow! I work for the Norfolk Southern RR, current operator of the Whiskey Island yard. I see the remains of the 2 Huletts sitting down there and I've heard the stories of the glory days of them in operation... I love this video... You can hear all the stories in the world from soon to retire old railroaders...and even former Hulett operators there.... but this brings history alive in amazing ways.... Thanks again!
Heracles87 3 years ago
This is a truly awesome film!! I always wondered what it would be like to ride in the operators cab of a Hulett. Great film, hopefully we can perserve at least one of the Whiskey Island Huletts. The part where they drop in the front end loader is great. Thats another operation I always wanted to see. Great Job!!!!
cobra012297 3 years ago
Outstanding!
hrb266 3 years ago
All I can say is fantastic. Never went to see these babies in action, and now I'm kicking myself. Thanks for sharing. Jack...
1jackdk 3 years ago
What a dance of mechanical articulation! This may just be the only useful video of these things in action. It is priceless.
gareebee 3 years ago
One hell of an amazing machine, I like the fact that the operater travels with the bucket in and out of the ship.
The lowering of the wheelloader isn't realy the safest thing to do but they get the job done and that's what counts on the end of every day
V8dieselpower 3 years ago
This IS interesting video. It's interesting to me because it is the kind of thing that I never have access to and wonder exactly how these things are done. Pretty neat.
Frankster81 3 years ago
Thanks for posting. VERY interesting to see these machines work.
thfxr 3 years ago
Great video! I've been in Duluth and Two Harbors often enough to see the boats being loaded but I've often wondered how the straight-deckers were unloaded by the Huletts. Big thanks for posting this.
mrsooline 3 years ago
I've always wanted to see these behemouths in action. Thanks!
BenAliGtor 3 years ago
that was way cool!
cuzinitr 3 years ago
I lived in Cleveland as a child and would spend hours. mezmerized, watching these things operate. Sad to see them gone now.
Thanks for posting the video. Made me feel 35 years younger.
lucabrasi1337 4 years ago