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.
Great video, not many people know how you had to move the early crawler machines. We had a 1928 or so Bucyrus crane in a scrap yard I worked for around 1970. It was a steam engine unit that we ran on compressed air never moved it used only to unload scrap trailers, it was set up the same way. Enjoy all your videos keep up the good restoration work. Phil
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? Should get more than 5 stars!
Как я понимаю, на этой очень ранней конструкции нет торможения гусениц. Вместо этого нужная гусеница только отключается от трансмиссии с помощью хаба с ручным управлением, примерно как на переднем мосту внедорожника типа УАЗ. Разобщённая с трансмиссией гусеница это не заторможенная, она продолжает вхолостую прокручиваться вслед за работающей и машина продолжает идти прямо. Чтобы повернуть машину, гусеницу приходится тормозить путём заклинивания ломом между траками и опорным катком. Машинист может только подавать машину вперёд-назад и останавливать.
That was quite the "Pony" engine used to start it.
An early APU, perhaps?
Very cool!!!! Love to see these old machines cared for and not just scrapped out!!!!! Keep up the good work..
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.
I always threw a bucket full in front of the track. Anything to stop it.
I'm guessing he would be called the "pivot man"
Great video, not many people know how you had to move the early crawler machines. We had a 1928 or so Bucyrus crane in a scrap yard I worked for around 1970. It was a steam engine unit that we ran on compressed air never moved it used only to unload scrap trailers, it was set up the same way. Enjoy all your videos keep up the good restoration work. Phil
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.
Beautiful shovel, relic.
I love that Atlas sound!
01:59 LOL! "It's rolling! I'll stop it!"
That thing is like starting the planet , LOL-- Wow lots to manipulate to move it around but I bet it made someone`s life better somehow .
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!
Any updates on this machine?
I heard the museum had closed, what happened to this and the other machines?
Quite the beautiful contraption.
Is that diesel or gas?
awesome piece of early machinery!
I see a guy working something on the hubs of the drive sprockets whenever it turns. Are those the steering clutches?
This isn't moving it this is walking it around a parking lot.
Sounds like a gas/petrol engine, is that so?
i love how you have to steer it
That is just plain cool!
Does that have an air starter?
It's mesmerising.
one cylinder does not ignite correctly
Nice one - cheers
Dutch?,..Does anyone know the location?
52°20'00.1"N 5°38'53.6"E
Mike g Yeah it’s in Holland. Wegenbouw Museum in Harderwijk.
wow, so good!
very nice
Как можно было на таком работать?
In Russia THAT time wooden showels had been used
Как я понимаю, на этой очень ранней конструкции нет торможения гусениц. Вместо этого нужная гусеница только отключается от трансмиссии с помощью хаба с ручным управлением, примерно как на переднем мосту внедорожника типа УАЗ. Разобщённая с трансмиссией гусеница это не заторможенная, она продолжает вхолостую прокручиваться вслед за работающей и машина продолжает идти прямо. Чтобы повернуть машину, гусеницу приходится тормозить путём заклинивания ломом между траками и опорным катком. Машинист может только подавать машину вперёд-назад и останавливать.
Thats old school .!
En weg uit Harderwijk helaas.