extreme machine

[Ace-Garageguy]

51 minutes ago, Big John said:

I've always wanted to go to  the Mine Expo show here in the states. Really want to do the setup and see how they get these beasts into the expo hall.

Maybe kinda like eating an elephant? 

[Mark]

There's a small local show in my area every year devoted mainly to diecast "miniature" construction equipment.  Even in smaller scales, some of the stuff if HUGE.

[Matt Bacon]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

diecast "miniature" construction equipment.  Even in smaller scales, some of the stuff if HUGE.

Back in the 90s my friend Sarah was Plant Editor on a mining and construction equipment magazine, and her then-boyfriend was the Ad Sales director. Their flat was just full of these from 4 ft high mobile cranes to even longer bucket wheel excavators, not to mention all the graders, dump trucks, log trailers and skid steers you could want. In those days manufacturers produced these as promos and publicity, and handed them out to potential customers, investors… and business contacts and journalists whenever something new was launched. It meant that yellow was a bit of a theme in their decor, and you had to be careful not to poke your eye out with a jib, or sit on a sharp-toothed compactor roller…

best,

M

Edited October 16, 2024 by Matt Bacon

[Mark]

At the first construction company I worked for (1978-89) the guy who ran the equipment yard had an office full of promo items.  When the company hit the skids towards the end of my time there, the main office was actually moved to the equipment yard location.  None of that stuff was still there by then...it all probably went home with somebody.

[Big John]

18 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Maybe kinda like eating an elephant? 

Or the Johnny Cash song 'One Piece At A Time'.

[Big John]

Like giant model kits! except you would need cranes to position the parts. Oh the logistics of it all. and a big bucket of yellow touch up paint.

Edited October 16, 2024 by Big John

[Ace-Garageguy]

Some interest was expressed in learning how these machines were built.

I just got this book, which goes into some detail, including a last chapter on Big Muskie.

[Old Buckaroo]

That was my line of work building and working on large mine equipment. Just like a model but in bigger scale - parts showed up on about 6 to 8 semis, and cranes were used to move and lift pieces in place .

The 3600 was the "baby shovel" on that place. The 5500 made it look like mini track hoe!

 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Old Buckaroo

[stavanzer]

On 10/15/2024 at 6:10 PM, Big John said:

I've always wanted to go to  the Mine Expo show here in the states. Really want to do the setup and see how they get these beasts into the expo hall.

Very Carefully!!

LoL