Correct, steering clutches. Was very common on early crawlers, especially Bucyrus (patent problem?). A later variation was either chains or a dog lever that dropped down to allow disengaging the dog clutch on one track to steer, by swinging the house a small amount, as on the Erie B steam shovel, and many early Thew-Lorain machines. Even then, there was frequently a ground man to put a block in front of the declutched track to help steer.
To clarify, "very common on early crawler cranes + shovels".
A frequent cause for companies merging is to get access to the other company's patents, one wonders whether the merger of Bucyrus (large machines) and Erie (small mass produced machines) was partially driven by wanting patent rights.
I have a short video posted on YT of walking an Erie steam shovel of similar vintage, showing the steering chain method.
Extremely exciting to see this large early gas machine brought back to life, looking and sounding great!
What is the boom length and bucket size?
I've never understood the B-E "E" number series, but the undercarriage looks very similar + about the same size as the 50B steam shovel. The fact that it steers so well indicates that the Atlas is putting out good horsepower. Do you have a place to dig?
one cylinder does not ignite correctly
yan46800 1 year ago
awesome piece of early machinery!
ringbolt9 1 year ago
very nice
calaverex 1 year ago
I see a guy working something on the hubs of the drive sprockets whenever it turns. Are those the steering clutches?
trackhoe23 2 years ago
Correct, steering clutches. Was very common on early crawlers, especially Bucyrus (patent problem?). A later variation was either chains or a dog lever that dropped down to allow disengaging the dog clutch on one track to steer, by swinging the house a small amount, as on the Erie B steam shovel, and many early Thew-Lorain machines. Even then, there was frequently a ground man to put a block in front of the declutched track to help steer.
Later came a rod down thru the center pin.
SteamCrane 2 years ago
To clarify, "very common on early crawler cranes + shovels".
A frequent cause for companies merging is to get access to the other company's patents, one wonders whether the merger of Bucyrus (large machines) and Erie (small mass produced machines) was partially driven by wanting patent rights.
I have a short video posted on YT of walking an Erie steam shovel of similar vintage, showing the steering chain method.
SteamCrane 2 years ago
Yes it starts on air thats pressed it to the cilinders
514431 2 years ago
Does that have an air starter?
Boomer617 2 years ago
Quite the beautiful contraption.
69rd96 2 years ago
Extremely exciting to see this large early gas machine brought back to life, looking and sounding great!
What is the boom length and bucket size?
I've never understood the B-E "E" number series, but the undercarriage looks very similar + about the same size as the 50B steam shovel. The fact that it steers so well indicates that the Atlas is putting out good horsepower. Do you have a place to dig?
Should get more than 5 stars!
SteamCrane 2 years ago
I love that Atlas sound!
Scentlessapprentice9 2 years ago