HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-09-08, Page 37PAGE A-16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. 2005.
Thresher Reunion 2005
Steam shovel back for third time
Digging with steam
An Erie Type B 1925-26 steam shovel, owned by
Teeswater Concrete, will be returning to this year’s
Thresher Reunion and will give an exciting demonstration.
(File photo)
An Erie type B steam shovel, one
of the last of its kind, will be present
for a third time at this year’s
Reunion.
The steam shovel is a late 1925 -
26 model that belongs to employees
at Teeswater Concrete and was
discovered in January 2001 in
Emlenton, PA.
A steam shovel is an early
mechanical device excavating
material including gravel, streets
and quarries.
The type B Erie shovel was built
by the Ball Engine Co. in Erie, PA.
The machine is powered by steam
supplied by a vertical type boiler 45
inches in diameter and 88 inches
tall. The fuel is normally coal, but
wood is also used in some engines as
well.
The 125 psi steam supplies power
to the three two-cylinder reversing
type engines which operate the
hoisting, travel, swing and dipper
stick operations.
The working weight of the
machine is about 55,000 lbs and it is
fitted with a standard three-quarter
cubic yard bucket. The rated
capacity is 50 - 60 cubic yards per
hour.
It takes about one hour to build up
enough steam before excavating can
occur.
Jamie Armstrong said he had been
wanting a steam shovel “for a long
time”. In February 2000, he heard
about an Ohio man who had recently
donated his steam shovel to a
museum.
Armstrong acted quickly and
contacted the man right away.
“I asked if he knew of any other
available machines. Fortunately he
knew one more person and gave me
the contact information,” said
Armstrong.
He said he was thrilled when he
found one and was able to purchase
it, although after a lot of restoration,
he isn't exactly sure how much the
steam shovel is worth.
“It’s either worthless or priceless,”
Armstrong laughed. “We aren't
really quite sure how much it’s
worth.”
Restoration began in the spring of
2001 with a new welded boiler
supplied and installed on a new
machine deck.
A new wooden cab with steel roof
along with all engines, swing and
travel mechanisms were restored to
‘like new’ conditions.
The main boom, dipper stick,
bucket and crowd engine were also
dismantled, refurbished and refitted
to the machine.
The coal bin and water tank were
rebuilt and installed and ‘schedule
80’ steam piping was installed
throughout.
Armstrong said the success of this
restoration project must be credited
to the many hard workers who had
the desire to preserve a part of early
construction heritage.
He said this machine was one of
the last built before internal
combustion took over the industry.
He explained that the steam
shovels were only built in
production from 1915 - 27.
“Technology wasn’t available prior
to 1915 and internal combustion
took over in the 1920s.”
On board
Getting the majestic giants fired up and ready for the afternoon parade makes for an
impressive display. (File photo)
Welcome Threshers
TO THE 44th
ANNUAL
REUNION
Dealers of Quality Feeds,
Grains & Commodities
Top Quality
Shur-Gain Products
for your Animals'
Nutrition and Health
Dauphin Feed & Supply offer
Top Quality Service and value
comparable to none.
DAUPHIN
FEED &
SUPPLY LTD.
DUNGANNON
1-800-665-5675 529-7951
WALTON 887-6023
dauphin@hurontel.on.ca
ShurGain
Vanden Heuvel Structures
INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL,
AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
40 Wellington St., Clinton N0M 1L0
TELEPHONE
519-482-9666
FAX
519-482-8966
4 STEELWAY
tNOlNtCREO euicD*<G systems
AGENTS
Graeme Craig ................................... 887-9381
Bob McNaughton....................... 527-1571
Donald Taylor............................... 482-9976
Banter & Mac Ewan & Feagan
Insurance Ltd..........................................524-8376
Gaiser Kneale Insurance Brokers Inc.. 482-3401
Thames Insurance Brokers, Exeter. 235-2211
Cockwell Insurance Brokers.........356-2216
GL Barclay Insurance Inc..................238-6790
Welcome to the
44th Annual
Thresher Reunion
FARM, HOME,
COMMERCIAL
AUTO COVERAGES