When I was in 2nd grade, my grandfather took me with him to see it in action. He drove a coal truck from the mine to the power plant and back. It wasn't allowed to bring anyone with you at the time so he told me to lay down in front of the passenger seat on the floor in the cab of the truck and stay still and quiet. When we got to the place where the trucks were being loaded by end loaders, we could see Big Muskie at work. That was over 40 years ago and I'll never forget it. I'm glad my grandpa thought enough of me to make sure I could see the mighty Big Muskie in action when he had the chance. That would have been in 1981.
I feel ya. I've been bingeing on Walter's videos and realized my life was a waste. THIS kind of work is what I SHOULD have been doing! Maybe not Big Muskie but, operating a giant drag line or giant power shovel like Silver Spade. Yes, I had Tonka toys of such machines but, life and college put me into other careers and none were ever like this.
I remember seeing this beauty tower above the landscape over her reclaimed land in Noble Co Ohio. The boom could be seen for miles as she set idle on her final resting place. I'll never forget seeing black smoke billow from her as she went by the wayside of the scrap man's torch in the late 90's. This beast should have never been demolished, folks from around the globe would have flocked to see her. The area now has been purchased by the ODNR and established as public land for all to enjoy, clear ponds, open fields, and dense young forest populate her once inhabited stomping grounds. The land is a different world all etched out by Big Muskie.
@@Leatherface123. I agree. Almost made me sick. I hauled an old compact car, that I had driven a good bit, to the scrap yard. Watched the clam grab it by the top, breaking the windows and everything. The operator threw it, underhanded it about 30 feet, onto a pile of other cars and stuff. That kind of hurt, similarly.
Great video! First time I've seen anything other than stills of Big Muskie. These videos are priceless now that most of these big machines are gone. Thanks for sharing Mr. Bennett.
Thanks for posting this video. This is a rare sight: the Big Muskie in action, scooping up 220 yards at a time, then depositing it anywhere within a city block. I understand it moved over 280 million yards of earth over its lifetime, exposing enough coal to keep whole cities supplied during its tenure. The biggest now are 180 yard scoops, as I recall, with 8,000hp mortors, where the Big Muskie had 10,000hp motors, the largest ever used in this way. Experienced operators could tap your hat off.
I visited the Wilds and noticed in the distance this machine. I drove gravel roads and went right up to it. Was the only person there. Still a vivid memory for me.
220 yard bucket. I work about two miles form where the bucket sets now. Got some pictures of the kids in it! Two school buses fit quite nicely! It also took nine D9 cat dozers to move the power station for this beast.
@@alexjohnward Yup. For some reason, I thought there was a substation directly connected to the main utility powerline and an extension cord went to Big Muskie. But, then I found that a huge generator does that job and is obviously more practical than the powerline connection idea.
The Big Muskie was quite..All the noise are the beeping of the trucks, it was really a amazing piece of big machinery. Many friends, grandfather's, father's and brothers, worked for....Central Ohio Coal, American Electric Power....and Sidwell....the campsites were magical with big lakes the water was blue back then....years ago.
My grandpa worked on a large dragline in the 50's mining coal, he was an oiler and would have to oil the cables by hand out on the end of the booms while the machine was still moving! The machine was manufactured by germany after the war and for ballast on the other side they used millions of empty shells from the war.
I am sure the operator felt like the guardian of a beloved horse who suffered under an incompetent veterinarian, and had to be put down. I feel bad for the people who once worked for this machine. I have absolutely no forgiveness for those who were involved in this demolition.
I remember going on a field trip to the Wilds when I was in middle school and we drove past this. I never got to go down and actually see it while it was still standing. Damn shame.
I have so many pictures of the big muskie and even the video of the demolition but never got to see it working. I still wish they would have made it into a museum or restaurant. Most people are surprised to find out it was many electric. Thx for the video!!
The large doze, in the foreground, still looked considerably smaller than the bucket, which was a good distance behind it. I believe 2 of the dozers could be parked side by side in the bucket, with a lot of room left over.
We used to ride out on haul roads on our trail bikes to watch this beast work. We camped out and built our campfire with the leftover coal. It would burn all nite. In the morning we swam in a blue clear water lake that was created from the mining. Too bad it's all gone now. They cut it up for scrap except for the bucket which is on display and now morons have painted graffiti all over it. Too bad...
@@mainoffender5557 "Rules are made to be broken" (James Byron Dean) I am glad you enjoyed those times... From your story, I assume that you're about my age, and I have to say, we are bless that we lived those years... Now a days is all so fake... Take care my friend, and be safe out there.
I wish someone would've made a video of when Big Muskie's tub was changed out, I know there's some still photo's of the operation, but being able to see the mine's entire fleet of dozers and scraper pans chained together and tugging on motion picture would've been awesome!
Do you know anything about the one working off the South side of I-80 in South/West Wyoming? Its been there for 5 years that I know of, maybe longer as it was there in 2007 already
the silver spade was dismantled several years ago. they tried to save it, but couldn't raise enough money. they did save the bucket. the muskie bucket is just down the road from where i live.
Me and my buddies went to Ohio to see Big Muskie. We found the maintenance shack an i was allowed to weld a couple of beads on a crack of the spare bucket. Crack was 2ft wide, 2ft thick, and 6 ft long.
200Sq yards approx. I work only a couple miles from where the bucket is now. Got pics of my children in it! If memory serves me right (my grandfather worked for AEP) it to nine D9 Cat dozers to move the power generation station for this beast!
This monster was in Cadiz ,Ohio when I was a little boy . my mom had pic of us kids standing in the bucket . It was huge . You could put 4 semi trucks side by side with the trailer in the bucket . I think the "Silver Spade" is the only one left . Its a museum in Ohio .
It looks like it should handle a bigger bucket but when structures get that large, they struggle to support their own weight, let alone 500+ tons combined bucket, load and cabling
I (Ed Martin) was the amateur camera man and Carl Wade who worked at the mine at the time did all the talking and explaining. I still have the original master tape. Never thought anyone besides me and my family would ever view it. By the way, I've never heard of delerium tremens and I don’t drink alcohol.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
When I was in 2nd grade, my grandfather took me with him to see it in action. He drove a coal truck from the mine to the power plant and back. It wasn't allowed to bring anyone with you at the time so he told me to lay down in front of the passenger seat on the floor in the cab of the truck and stay still and quiet. When we got to the place where the trucks were being loaded by end loaders, we could see Big Muskie at work. That was over 40 years ago and I'll never forget it. I'm glad my grandpa thought enough of me to make sure I could see the mighty Big Muskie in action when he had the chance. That would have been in 1981.
I feel ya. I've been bingeing on Walter's videos and realized my life was a waste. THIS kind of work is what I SHOULD have been doing! Maybe not Big Muskie but, operating a giant drag line or giant power shovel like Silver Spade.
Yes, I had Tonka toys of such machines but, life and college put me into other careers and none were ever like this.
I remember seeing this beauty tower above the landscape over her reclaimed land in Noble Co Ohio. The boom could be seen for miles as she set idle on her final resting place. I'll never forget seeing black smoke billow from her as she went by the wayside of the scrap man's torch in the late 90's. This beast should have never been demolished, folks from around the globe would have flocked to see her. The area now has been purchased by the ODNR and established as public land for all to enjoy, clear ponds, open fields, and dense young forest populate her once inhabited stomping grounds. The land is a different world all etched out by Big Muskie.
This comment gave me chills
Far too many icons like this went by the way of my torch. If I could change it I certainly would.
I don't care who you are, if you love machines then you gotta have a soft spot for BIg Muskie. What a beauty.
The video where it was blown up ooh that really uh
FELT LIKE FUCKING KIDNEY STONES
@@Leatherface123. I agree. Almost made me sick. I hauled an old compact car, that I had driven a good bit, to the scrap yard. Watched the clam grab it by the top, breaking the windows and everything. The operator threw it, underhanded it about 30 feet, onto a pile of other cars and stuff. That kind of hurt, similarly.
Being a excavator operator for over 35 years .this wod have been amazing to see. To think it all started back in 1966 . Dont like the end she had
Great video! First time I've seen anything other than stills of Big Muskie. These videos are priceless now that most of these big machines are gone. Thanks for
sharing Mr. Bennett.
Thanks for posting this video. This is a rare sight: the Big Muskie in action, scooping up 220 yards at a time, then depositing it anywhere within a city block. I understand it moved over 280 million yards of earth over its lifetime, exposing enough coal to keep whole cities supplied during its tenure. The biggest now are 180 yard scoops, as I recall, with 8,000hp mortors, where the Big Muskie had 10,000hp motors, the largest ever used in this way. Experienced operators could tap your hat off.
This is the first time I've seen a good quality video of the Big Muskie at work.
It certainly was an AWESOME machine. Thanks for posting Walt.
This is the first film/video I've seen of the Big Muskie working. What a machine, what a bucket!! Thanks for posting. RL
I visited the Wilds and noticed in the distance this machine. I drove gravel roads and went right up to it. Was the only person there. Still a vivid memory for me.
The people that blew this thing up for scrap are the same people that fill swimming pools with sand.
220 yard bucket. I work about two miles form where the bucket sets now. Got some pictures of the kids in it! Two school buses fit quite nicely! It also took nine D9 cat dozers to move the power station for this beast.
They had a mobile powerstation?
@@alexjohnward Yup. For some reason, I thought there was a substation directly connected to the main utility powerline and an extension cord went to Big Muskie. But, then I found that a huge generator does that job and is obviously more practical than the powerline connection idea.
2:17 gives good perspective of how big this super giant was
Good gosh that is all mighty huge!
The Big Muskie was quite..All the noise are the beeping of the trucks, it was really a amazing piece of big machinery. Many friends, grandfather's, father's and brothers, worked for....Central Ohio Coal, American Electric Power....and Sidwell....the campsites were magical with big lakes the water was blue back then....years ago.
I welded on these things at the Bucyrus-Erie plant in Pocatello, ID (1975-1983). Incredible to see it in action.
My grandpa worked on a large dragline in the 50's mining coal, he was an oiler and would have to oil the cables by hand out on the end of the booms while the machine was still moving! The machine was manufactured by germany after the war and for ballast on the other side they used millions of empty shells from the war.
Knowing this thing was imploded makes me wanna cry. Can't imagine being the operator...
I am sure the operator felt like the guardian of a beloved horse who suffered under an incompetent veterinarian, and had to be put down. I feel bad for the people who once worked for this machine. I have absolutely no forgiveness for those who were involved in this demolition.
It took a crew of 7 operators, not just one.
It's so sad to know that this magnificent beast is totally gone, with only the bucket left behind as a monument to what once was.
Wow! Finally! I've been looking for a Big Muskie video. In five minute of video we saw almost 900 yard of dirt moved!
AWSOME!!! this is a part of history right here. Thanks for the video dude
I remember going on a field trip to the Wilds when I was in middle school and we drove past this. I never got to go down and actually see it while it was still standing. Damn shame.
I have so many pictures of the big muskie and even the video of the demolition but never got to see it working. I still wish they would have made it into a museum or restaurant. Most people are surprised to find out it was many electric. Thx for the video!!
The large doze, in the foreground, still looked considerably smaller than the bucket, which was a good distance behind it. I believe 2 of the dozers could be parked side by side in the bucket, with a lot of room left over.
thanks fior the rare chance to see this footage. from a gratefull machinery fan!
Oh how I love BIG and this sure falls in that category, LOL.
We used to ride out on haul roads on our trail bikes to watch this beast work. We camped out and built our campfire with the leftover coal. It would burn all nite. In the morning we swam in a blue clear water lake that was created from the mining. Too bad it's all gone now. They cut it up for scrap except for the bucket which is on display and now morons have painted graffiti all over it. Too bad...
Nice and sad story at the same time...
@@levisalvini4110 We weren't supposed to be on the haul roads either but we were kids and had a blast doing that!
@@mainoffender5557
"Rules are made to be broken"
(James Byron Dean)
I am glad you enjoyed those times...
From your story, I assume that you're about my age, and I have to say, we are bless that we lived those years...
Now a days is all so fake...
Take care my friend, and be safe out there.
@@levisalvini4110 Yep for sure. I agree! Thanks Levi!
the bucket compared to the machine ☠
Thanks for finally making a good video of this machine working
Thanks for posting. In Ohio all my life. Awesome Machine when Coal was king
Good to see some real life video of the big Girl R.I.P
I wish someone would've made a video of when Big Muskie's tub was changed out, I know there's some still photo's of the operation, but being able to see the mine's entire fleet of dozers and scraper pans chained together and tugging on motion picture would've been awesome!
There is a video of.the tub change out on youtube
FANTASTIC MACHINE!!!!! THE BEST OF MACHINES!!!!!
The biggest machine of its kind in the world and they blew it up really? This should have been made a museum.
Do you know anything about the one working off the South side of I-80 in South/West Wyoming? Its been there for 5 years that I know of, maybe longer as it was there in 2007 already
Big Muskie the best machine !!
the silver spade was dismantled several years ago. they tried to save it, but couldn't raise enough money. they did save the bucket. the muskie bucket is just down the road from where i live.
This mighty big muskie is historical
I stood in the bucket last weekend.. It is huge but looking at this vid it is nothing compared to the machine itself
I can't believe people aren't fascinated by this, but they'll watch tic tok videos. I've tried explaining big musky, but nobody cares. We're doomed.
What a machine. I've stood in the bucket of it. It's impressive.
It wasn t too long after this that Big Muskie stopped working.Outstanding video.Nice to see it working.That bulldozer looks like a Caterpillar D9H
wow that thing is huge , just look at the dozer standing beside it what looks like a d9
Thanks for posting
oyoshi400: The Cat 797 capacity is is 380 short tons. The capacity of the bucket on Big Muskie was 325 short tons.
Hope this helps.
Me and my buddies went to Ohio to see Big Muskie. We found the maintenance shack an i was allowed to weld a couple of beads on a crack of the spare bucket. Crack was 2ft wide, 2ft thick, and 6 ft long.
Thanks for not ruining this video with shitty music
Bucket cpacity on that beast was 225 cu. yd. apparently the bucket still survives the rest was scrapped.
bert26a yup. The bucket is in McConnlesville Ohio. Planning to make a trip there
Sorry for the multiple replys! Didnt think the first one posted, and had to correct myself! Cheers!
Rest in peace beautiful girl...
200Sq yards approx. I work only a couple miles from where the bucket is now. Got pics of my children in it! If memory serves me right (my grandfather worked for AEP) it to nine D9 Cat dozers to move the power generation station for this beast!
@nightriderlopes ; Guinness Book in1989, and surely before and after this date!
Hard to believe the size of it makes the dozers look like little bitty things
This monster was in Cadiz ,Ohio when I was a little boy . my mom had pic of us kids standing in the bucket . It was huge . You could put 4 semi trucks side by side with the trailer in the bucket . I think the "Silver Spade" is the only one left . Its a museum in Ohio .
Why Cat not build something like this ? Cat have enough money and experience, they can rebuild new version of this monster
wow !! amazing ! awesome !!!
To appreciate the size of this baby you need to look past the halfway mark where are you will see it alongside automobiles and bulldozers.
I wonder how many semi truck trailers could fit into that bucket...
Big muskie the biggest bucket ever but he kick the bucket, lol
You look at the picture that sure seems like a lot of crane for a bucket that size. I would expect the bucket to be much larger
What a beast,intimidating piece of machinery,I wonder how much the operator made an hour?
That bucket should be four times bigger for that size machine.
+Arthur Bradley This guy's an expert.
that bucket weighs 230 tons
It looks like it should handle a bigger bucket but when structures get that large, they struggle to support their own weight, let alone 500+ tons combined bucket, load and cabling
Aterrorizante e linda ao mesmo tempo!
Whew that thing was so bigg!!!!
Aqui no Brazil é usado para recolher MONEY 😅😅😅😅
Sad it was cut up for scrap. A sin.
now iknow how the grand canon got there
From Noahs flood
Back when the chrome was thick, and the women were straight!!!
Just beautiful.
I wonder what was the daily operating cost of this beast.
Alceu Filho 4500.00
per hr.
this thing has a 220yd bucket
Rest In Peace big Muskie
A 2015 toyota
Big muskie for america, r.i.p.
This video was recorded on my birthday
Is it still operational?
Joseph Boyd no it was scrapped
Do you see how much bigger it is than a bulldozer
One bad machine.......
Camera man has the delerium tremens .
I (Ed Martin) was the amateur camera man and Carl Wade who worked at the mine at the time did all the talking and explaining. I still have the original master tape. Never thought anyone besides me and my family would ever view it. By the way, I've never heard of delerium tremens and I don’t drink alcohol.
Good massive dragline excavator.
Sad to know The Big Muskie was scrapped.
Impresionante maquinaria
wow amazing
awesome video
That size machine could handle a much bigger bucket than that. A truck could probably not handle a load that big.
TRANSFORMERS : DEVASTATOR !!!!!!!
RIP BM
Its not a fish wtf man
montroca
ну ничё так