Hydraulicspneumatics 2182 Mjhs Excavation
Hydraulicspneumatics 2182 Mjhs Excavation
Hydraulicspneumatics 2182 Mjhs Excavation
Hydraulicspneumatics 2182 Mjhs Excavation
Hydraulicspneumatics 2182 Mjhs Excavation

A True Steam Shovel

Jan. 21, 2015
I'm a member of our local historical society, and I often look through old pics and negatives when I visit. Last night I came a cross this picture of a steal shovel excavating for a junior high school, which was dedicated in 1922. So this image was probably taken in 1921.
Photo from about 1921 shows steam shovel — the forerunner of today's power shovles and excavators — at work in Wiolloughby, Ohio during the early construction of a junior high school. Click on image for larger view.

I'm a member of our local historical society, and I often look through old pictures and negatives when I visit. Last night I came a cross this picture of a steam shovel excavating for a junior high school, which was dedicated in 1922. So this image was probably taken in 1921.
Before hydraulics, this equipment depended on chains, spockets, steel cables, and pulleys to do work. Even though they could work circles around manual and animal labor, these machines were slow, had limited motion, and couldn't handle very big payloads.

But diesel engines, hydraulics, and electronic controls have changed all that. Today's machines are much faster, more powerful, ergonomic,  more controllable, and produce far less emissions. Still, you may sometimes hear people refer to these machines as steam shovels, even thoufgh steam hasn't been in wide use since early in the last century.

About the Author

Alan Hitchcox Blog | Editor in Chief

Alan joined Hydraulics & Pneumatics in 1987 with experience as a technical magazine editor and in industrial sales. He graduated with a BS in engineering technology from Franklin University and has also worked as a mechanic and service coordinator. He has taken technical courses in fluid power and electronic and digital control at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin and has served on numerous industry committees.

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