So Long to the Silver Spade

NukeWorker · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 09:07 PM

A couple of these have been out for bid recently around North America.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=564631

NukeWorker · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 09:17 PM

Looking at this video you can see why they want to shoot it.

http://www.wtov9.com/news/10975106/detail.html

**James** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 06:02 AM

The just don't build anything like the used to. Only 200' from it's planned retirement too. I have never seen one up close, but they look like an awesome machine.

NukeWorker · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 09:24 AM

It is very difficult to appreciate the actual size of one unless you stand next to it. Photos don't do it justice.

Wolf · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 11:02 AM

The article says that they are going to put the bucket in the mining museum, so people can stand in the bucket and imagine how big the shovel was. Not the same thing as having the awesome shovel right there, but it's worth something.

NukeWorker · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 11:29 AM

They did that at another mining museum. They salvaged the bucket of the "Big Muskie". The museum is, believe it or not, a pretty big attraction.

**James** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 03:42 PM

I heard in the report that one museum's attendence is 40K since that put one of the shovels on display.

NukeWorker · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 04:53 PM

Maybe I will pile the kids in the car and that will be their big vacation this summer. Heck, it's probably better than WallyWorld

blast1 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 12:14 PM

I just shot one like it in Illinois 2 weeks ago. They are a technical marvel for their size. They were very productive for the era they were used. Modern "shovels" are much different. They're mostly hydraulic.

NukeWorker · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2007, 02:26 PM

The old shovels were electricity hogs.