That's the fireman. Fires the boiler (coal), rakes the fire, feeds water into the boiler via a clever Bernoulli principle device called an injector, and cleans + lubes the engines.
Big modern cranes still have a 2nd guy called an oiler, really an apprentice operator, cleans + lubes the machine, and operates a bit.
These shovels had 3 independent engines, hoist, crowd + swing, sped up operation.
Low end operations had the operator also tend the boiler, but it was much less efficient.
The shovel was restored, and owned for many years by an individual. He got up in years, with health problems, and donated it to the National Pike club. They've been keeping after it, and it's in great shape. And now there's a second steam shovel, a Thew (predecessor of Lorain) that was brought from junk to factory condition by several members. Videos of it on this channel. The HCEA National Convention will be there Aug. 8-9-10, 2008.
thumbs up if you saw that the pipe that make blake smoke is a bit red
labrieexpert2000 2 months ago
This is great! I see a second person in the back - engine compartment. Did it usually take two people to operate a steam shovel?
jserra17 2 years ago
That's the fireman. Fires the boiler (coal), rakes the fire, feeds water into the boiler via a clever Bernoulli principle device called an injector, and cleans + lubes the engines.
Big modern cranes still have a 2nd guy called an oiler, really an apprentice operator, cleans + lubes the machine, and operates a bit.
These shovels had 3 independent engines, hoist, crowd + swing, sped up operation.
Low end operations had the operator also tend the boiler, but it was much less efficient.
SteamCrane 2 years ago
i was driveing down a moutain road and right next to an abanedend shed is a steam shovel , i was like holy shit im saveing to buy you baby.
durangoandsilverton 2 years ago
Shades of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel. Great videos of the shovel Dave!
TrainBubba 2 years ago 2
@TrainBubba Exactly what I was thinking of..
Kagaines 7 months ago
I'm old enough to have watched these
when I was a kid. Little boys could be
mesmerized for hours with this, in the
age before TV and video games!
4freespeech 3 years ago
The shovel was restored, and owned for many years by an individual. He got up in years, with health problems, and donated it to the National Pike club. They've been keeping after it, and it's in great shape. And now there's a second steam shovel, a Thew (predecessor of Lorain) that was brought from junk to factory condition by several members. Videos of it on this channel. The HCEA National Convention will be there Aug. 8-9-10, 2008.
Really enjoy your big crane stuff!
SteamCrane 3 years ago
Oh Man!! Unbelievable Great Stuff!! Is that yours? Thanks for checkin my vids out and i'm subscribing to your stuff too.
46ringchaser 3 years ago
great video
NaDEorDIE 3 years ago
awesome to have this history on video
PeggerMan 3 years ago
Another great bit of earthmoving history on video. Thanks for showing machines that just dont exist over here.
pitman342 3 years ago